Summer Crafts for Kids 5-7 years old can be tricky to plan because most online ideas are either too messy, too advanced, or need supplies you don’t have at home. I put this list together after watching my own kids get bored by week two of summer break.
If you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver looking for simple projects that actually hold attention for this age group, these crafts use basic items and teach small skills along the way. Each one is easy to set up and fun to finish.
1. Paper Plate Sun Catchers 🌞
Paper plates turn into bright window decorations with just a few cuts and some tissue paper. Kids in the 5-7 range can handle the gluing on their own, which makes them feel proud of the finished piece.
The best part is hanging them in a sunny window. The light comes through the tissue paper and makes the whole room glow with summer colors.
How to Make
- Cut the center out of a paper plate to make a ring
- Tape clear contact paper across the opening, sticky side up
- Let kids press torn tissue paper pieces onto the sticky surface
- Cover with another layer of contact paper
- Punch a hole at the top and add yarn for hanging
Color Guide
- Warm sunset mix: orange, yellow, red, pink
- Ocean theme: blue, teal, purple, white
- Garden blend: pink, green, yellow, lavender
2. Painted Rock Pet Family 🪨
Smooth river rocks become little painted pets that kids can name and collect. This craft works well because each child gets to decide what their rock becomes, so no two projects look alike.
It’s also a quiet activity, which is helpful on hot afternoons when everyone needs to slow down. The painting part can stretch as long as your child wants it to.
How to Make
- Wash and dry smooth rocks (golf ball sized works best)
- Paint a base color and let it dry fully
- Use small brushes to add faces, spots, or stripes
- Add details with paint markers for cleaner lines
- Seal with mod podge once dry
Supplies You’ll Need
- Smooth flat rocks
- Acrylic craft paint
- Small paint brushes
- Paint markers (fine tip)
- Mod podge sealer
3. Tissue Paper Butterfly Wings 🦋
Clothespins and tissue paper make butterflies that actually look like the real thing. Kids this age love being able to pinch the clothespin and watch the wings flutter.
This one works great as a group activity too. You can make a whole swarm and tape them around the house or attach magnets to put them on the fridge.
How to Make
- Cut tissue paper into 6-inch squares (two per butterfly)
- Stack two squares and pinch the center to gather
- Slide the gathered middle into a wooden clothespin
- Fluff out the wings on both sides
- Draw a face and add pipe cleaner antennae
Style Guide
- Monarch style: orange and black tissue paper
- Rainbow mix: alternating bright colors
- Pastel summer: pink, lavender, mint, peach
4. Salt Dough Beach Fossils 🐚
Salt dough is one of the easiest craft bases for this age group because it’s hard to mess up. Kids press shells, leaves, or small toys into the dough to make fossils they can keep.
The recipe only needs three ingredients you already have. Baking them takes a while, but the pressing part keeps kids busy for a good chunk of the afternoon.
How to Make
- Mix 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, and 1/2 cup water into a dough
- Roll out flat pieces about 1/2 inch thick
- Press seashells, sticks, or small toys into the dough
- Bake at 200°F for 2-3 hours until hard
- Paint with watercolors once cooled
Items to Press
- Real seashells from the beach
- Small plastic dinosaurs
- Leaves or flower petals
- Toy car wheels for tire tracks
- Lego pieces for shaped patterns
5. Cardboard Box Lemonade Stand 🍋
Old shipping boxes become a real lemonade stand kids can play with all summer. This is more of a weekend project, but the building part teaches simple problem-solving skills.
Once it’s built, the play value lasts for weeks. Kids can practice counting coins, writing signs, and serving drinks to family members.
How to Make
- Cut one large box to create a counter with sides
- Paint the outside in bright yellow and white stripes
- Add a hand-drawn sign that says “Lemonade 25¢”
- Cut a small window opening for serving
- Decorate with paper lemon cutouts
What to Include
- Plastic pitcher and paper cups
- Pretend or real coins for change
- Small chalkboard for daily specials
- Striped tablecloth for the front
- Sun hat for the seller
6. Handprint Crab Canvas 🦀
Handprint art always works for this age, but a crab version feels fresh and summery. The two handprints overlap to make the crab body, and kids add the legs and eyes themselves.
It’s a keepsake parents actually want to hang up. The finished canvas looks like real art when framed simply.
How to Make
- Paint both palms with red or orange acrylic paint
- Press both hands onto canvas with thumbs pointing up
- The thumbs become the crab claws
- Add black dots for eyes and a small smile
- Use a fine brush to add sand details below
Color Options
- Classic red crab on white canvas
- Pink crab with sandy beige background
- Blue crab with watercolor ocean wash
7. Pool Noodle Boat Races 🚤
A pool noodle cut into chunks turns into floating boats for backyard pool or bathtub races. Kids decorate each boat with toothpick sails and paper flags.
This craft pulls double duty because it becomes a water toy after. The making takes 20 minutes and the playing can last all afternoon.
How to Make
- Slice a pool noodle into 4-inch chunks
- Push a wooden skewer down through the center
- Cut paper triangles for sails and tape them on the skewer
- Decorate the noodle sides with permanent markers
- Test them in water and adjust the sails
Decoration Ideas
- Pirate flag with skull and crossbones
- Striped racing flags in red and white
- Rainbow sail with painted designs
- Family name flags for each kid
- Number flags for race positions
8. Coffee Filter Tie Dye Flowers 🌸
Coffee filters and washable markers create the prettiest tie dye effect without any of the mess. Kids color the filters, then spray water on them to watch the colors blend.
After they dry, you can pinch them into flower shapes with pipe cleaner stems. They make a bouquet that looks way more impressive than the effort it takes.
How to Make
- Flatten a coffee filter on a paper plate
- Color with washable markers in any pattern
- Spray lightly with water until colors spread
- Let dry completely (about an hour)
- Pinch the center and wrap a pipe cleaner around it
Bouquet Combinations
- Sunset mix: orange, pink, yellow
- Spring garden: pink, purple, light blue
- Ocean colors: blue, teal, green
- Rainbow bunch: all colors mixed
9. Cereal Box Camera 📸
An empty cereal box turns into a pretend camera that kids carry around the yard. This one is great for imaginative play because they “take pictures” of everything they see.
It teaches them to notice small details outside. You can even tape real printed photos inside the back for them to slide out like a Polaroid.
How to Make
- Cut a small cereal box to camera size
- Cover the outside with construction paper
- Cut a circle in front for the lens
- Glue a plastic bottle cap as the lens
- Add a button on top and a yarn strap
Design Details
- Black paper for a classic camera look
- Pink or blue for a kid-friendly version
- Add “click” buttons drawn on top
- Tape a small mirror inside the back as a “screen”
- Decorate with stickers for personal style
10. Friendship Bracelet Bead Kits 💛
Stretchy string and pony beads make bracelets that actually stay together. At this age, kids can pick patterns and string the beads themselves, which builds focus and finger strength.
They love giving these to friends and siblings. Set up a small basket of supplies on the porch and let them work on them anytime they want.
How to Make
- Cut a piece of stretchy bracelet cord (8 inches long)
- Tie a knot at one end with a backup bead
- Let kids string beads in any pattern they choose
- Tie the ends together in a double knot
- Trim excess string
Pattern Ideas
- Color-of-the-rainbow order
- Repeating two-color pattern
- Name beads spelling out a friend’s name
- All one favorite color theme
- Heart and star beads mixed with plain ones
Wrap Up Your Summer Craft Plans
These crafts work because they match what kids 5-7 can actually do on their own. Each one uses simple supplies, takes under an hour to set up, and leaves you with something fun to keep or play with after.
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Pick two or three to try this week and rotate through the rest all summer long. Save this post to your Pinterest board so you can come back to it whenever the kids say they’re bored. Pin it now to keep these ideas handy for the whole season!
Check this: 10+ Summer Crafts for Kids 5-6 Years Old That Keep Them Busy All Day ☀️
