The Summer months offer kids the opportunity to enjoy fun in the sun, day in and day out. Whether they spend it building elaborate sandcastles on the beach, sinking their toes in the cool silt at the bottom of the lake at camp, accepting dares from friends for the most gruesome belly flops at the local pool, or running through sprinklers across the front lawn while blasting each other with water guns, the Summer is all about languishing in the great outdoors.
Until the thunderstorms come, and the play turns indoors.
The following rainy day crafts provide a few artsy alternatives for parents to offer their kids. Pick your favorite (or maybe a few), and locate, purchase, and set aside the supplies now so you will be ready when that day comes.
1. DIY YARN FONT
This blogger created a very simple, colorful craft from yarn and pipe cleaners. Easy enough for preschool aged kids, this craft was promoted as a “tactile approach to teaching alphabet letters to young children.”
2. SPRING ANIMAL ORNAMENT
Spring Animal Ornament by Rebecca’s DIY
This craft initially caught my eye because of Emelie’s love for the movie Fantastic Mr. Fox, but also because they really pop hanging on the light driftwood.
The heads are made from paper clay and then painted with water colors. Bottle caps, cotton string and a bit of felt are the remaining supplies needed.
The level of detail makes it a craft that can easily engage preteens and teens, without excluding younger children who may need a bit of assistance.
3. CRAYON ART
We have melted crayons, but after seeing this blogger melt 64 crayons (sans the blacks and browns) with a blow dryer, I knew it was something I wanted to do.
Other than crayons and a canvas, hot glue and a blow dryer are all that’s needed.
If this catches your interest, you’ll want to check out Whatever’s Craft Thursdays.
4. GETTING CREATIVE WITH TOILET PAPER ROLLS
After scrolling down this nearly endless post of ideas, I went looking for additional things that can be done with cardboard and came across several toilet paper roll crafts.
Heart Stamps by Rust & Sunshine
With three kids, our recycle bin is FULL of empty toilet paper rolls. I love the idea of folding them into heart stencils, dipping them in paint, and stamping away at card stock to create love letters (or future Valentine’s Day cards).
This is obviously a craft that can stretch across multiple ages.
Small Cars by Croissant and Lavender
As a family who spent several years carving pine derby cars from wooden blocks, painting, and racing them, this basic craft was immediately appealing. Simple, yet colorful, these toilet paper roll cars make perfect get away for Legos or Playmobil figures.
Toilet Paper Roll Owls by Creative Jewish Mom
I know owls are all the rage, or maybe that was last year, and I’m behind the times, but these little guys cracked me up. Plus, I like that they are done in black ink, although Creative Jewish Mom stated that her inspiration came from this photo, which is entirely more colorful (for those who like a bit more splash).
Koinobori – Japanese Flying Carp DIY by Squirrelly Minds
Did you know that Japan celebrates Boy’s day on the same day Mexico celebrates Cinco de Mayo? I didn’t either. However, that was the inspiration behind Squirrelly Minds’ adorable take on the wind sock carps that fly high above peoples’ homes signifying, and in celebration of, each boy who resides in that family’s home.
While the traditional Koinobori colors are black, red, blue, green and sometimes purple or orange, this crafter opened her color palette wide, and the results are beautiful!
6. HOMEMADE WATER COLOR PAINTS
Homemade Water Color Paints by allParenting
Here, the craft begins before the craft begins! No need to worry about whether or not your child’s paints are non-toxic when you make them with safe ingredients right at home.
Follow allParenting’s simple recipe using basic household staples like baking soda, vinegar, cornstarch, and corn syrup. Let your kids experiment with food coloring; determining the color combinations they desire for the palette they want.
7. SUMMER LANTERNS
Summer Lanterns by Meet the Dubiens
A craft suitable for 3 and 5 year olds, these lanterns are made from colored tissue paper, glue, and a glass vase. A simple, but inexpensive craft, your kids will be delighted when their beautiful stain-glassed lanterns light up the dinner table.
AND MORE…
After combing through Google images in search of fun rainy day crafts, I stumbled upon Felicia Corcoran’s “Arts & Crafts for Kids” Board at Pinterest. I’ve not taken full advantage of Pinterest for Kids’ crafts, but wow, she has, so if you are one of the many crafters who adore Pinterest for all the eye candy and ideas it generates, definitely follow her.
Also? If you’d like, use the comments below to share your favorite Pinterest Arts & Crafts Boards, Craft Bloggers, or online craft ideas!
Heather Sanders is a leading homeschooling journalist who inspires homeschooling families across the nation. Married to Jeff, Heather lives in the East Texas Piney Woods and homeschools her three children, Emelie, Meredith and Kenny.