Last Updated on April 30, 2026 by Masha Eretnova
Summer Paper crafts are basically the unsung hero of summer activities — they’re cheap, easy to set up, and you can do them at the kitchen table without breaking a sweat.
This roundup covers everything from toddler-friendly torn paper projects to slightly more involved origami and flower-making for older kids. Whether you need five-minute filler or a full afternoon activity, there’s something here for every age and every attention span.
Free Habitats Color by Number Printables for Kids
These 7 color-by-number printables cover different animal habitats, so kids get a little geography and science with their coloring. Just print, grab some crayons or markers, and follow the numbers for a finished scene that actually looks impressive.
Under the Sea Activity Mats for Kids
These free printable activity mats are packed with ocean-themed fun — coloring, drawing prompts, and creative exercises all on one page. They’re a great screen-free option for kids who need something to do but aren’t in a full-on crafting mood. Perfect to print and toss in a bag for restaurants, waiting rooms, or rainy days.
Summer Paper Plate Wreath
A paper plate ring becomes a sunny summer wreath with the help of cut-out shapes, bright colors, and lots of glue. Kids can add popsicles, sunshine, or beach balls for a fun front door display.
Perfect for preschoolers, these diy summer crafts keep little hands busy and result in something cute enough to proudly show the neighbors.
Paper Watermelon Craft
Green and red paper come together to make the most summery fruit of them all. This one is simple enough for little kids but satisfying enough that older ones will want to make a whole fruit bowl. A great low-mess craft that doubles as cute wall decor.
Paper Shark Craft
For every kid who went through a shark phase and never really came out of it, this one’s for them. With torn paper they can make a chompy little shark that’s honestly kind of adorable. Simple enough for a quick afternoon craft, especially fun leading up to Shark Week in July.
Tropical Paper Snowflake Bracelet
A snowflake technique gets a sunny tropical twist in this clever paper bracelet craft. Kids fold and snip their way to a wearable summer accessory — no plastic or beads required. Great for older kids and teens.
Paper Daisy Flower
Simple paper strips and a little folding create a sweet daisy that looks way more complicated than it is. Kids can make a whole bouquet in an afternoon using whatever colors they have on hand. These hold up great as decorations and make a cute handmade gift too.
DIY Paper Dahlia Flower
This one’s for the older kids or any grown-up who wants to make something genuinely gorgeous with paper or old newspaper. Layered petals build up into a full, lush dahlia bloom that looks makes a gorgeous centerpiece.
Paper S’mores Craft with Free Printable
A free printable turns into a cute paper s’more that kids can color, cut, and assemble — no campfire needed. It’s a fun summer activity that fits perfectly into a camping theme or backyard pretend-play afternoon.
Torn Paper Rainbow Craft
Tearing strips of colored paper and layering them into a rainbow is one of those crafts that’s more fun than it sounisvery easier even for little hands. There’s no cutting required, which makes it perfect for toddlers who aren’t quite ready for scissors.
Papercraft Flower
A pretty paper flower that comes together with just a few simple folds and cuts. Kids can make these in any color combination, which means you’ll end up with a very eclectic bouquet by the end of the afternoon. Great for mixed-age groups since everyone can contribute petals at their own pace.
Sun Print Art for Kids
This one uses actual sunlight to create prints, which makes it feel more like a science experiment than a craft — in the best way. Kids arrange flowers and leaves on paper and let the sun do the work, revealing shapes when they lift them off. A uniquely summer activity that you literally can’t do any other time of year.
Build Your Own Ice Cream Sundae Craft
Printable scoops, toppings, and waferese let kids mix and match their dream ice cream sundae without any actual sugar. Hell, I want to make my own sundae, too!
It’s a great quiet-time activity that also sneaks in some fine motor practice from all the cutting and creativity. Kids can “serve” their paper sundaes to family members, which buys you at least a solid fifteen minutes.
Seed Paper Craft
This craft goes beyond just making something pretty — kids actually make paper embedded with seeds (herbs or flowers) that can be planted later. It combines recycling, nature, and creativity in a way that makes it feel genuinely meaningful. A wonderful one for science-curious kids or anyone who wants a craft with a little extra purpose.
Printable Summer Bookmarks
Print, color, and cut these cheerful summer bookmarks to keep track of all those summer reading list books. They’re a quick craft that actually gets used, which is always a win. A great activity to pair with a trip to the library or the start of a summer reading challenge.
Origami Pinwheels
Classic paper pinwheels made using origami folds — no glue or scissors needed once you get going. They spin in the breeze and look festive stuck in a garden bed or displayed in a window. Older kids especially love mastering the folding technique and then cranking out a whole batch.
Torn Paper Watermelon Craft
Tearing pink and green paper into pieces and layering them creates a textured watermelon slice that’s full of character. The tearing process is perfect for toddlers who need a no-scissors option, and the result is genuinely adorable.
Butterfly Life Cycle Craft
Paper pieces represent each stage of a butterfly’s life — egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly — in this educational craft. Kids learn while they create, which makes it an easy activity to work into a nature unit or summer learning day. It’s hands-on, visual, and a great conversation starter about how things grow and change.
Preschool Bee Craft
Yellow and black paper strips and a simple body shape come together into a cute little bee. It’s quick to assemble, which is perfect for preschoolers who lose interest fast, and the results are buzzy and bright. Makes a sweet addition to any summer bulletin board or window display.
Paper Plate Fish Craft
A paper plate becomes a colorful fish with a little paint, some shiny paper scales, and a googly eye. Kids can go wild with color combinations since, as any preschooler will tell you, fish come in every color imaginable.
Origami Cone Ice Cream Craft for Kids
Paper folds into an adorable little ice cream cone that looks good enough to eat. Kids can make multiple scoops in different colors and stack them up. A clean, satisfying origami project for older kids and teens.
Road Trip Journal
A simple DIY journal kids can decorate and fill in during a summer road trip — places visited, things spotted, funny moments along the way. It’s a creative way to keep kids busy in the car while actually preserving memories. Beats a screen, and they’ll actually want to look back at it later.
DIY Corner Bookmark
These little folded corner bookmarks slip right over the page and stay put without falling out like a regular bookmark does. Kids can decorate them as animals, characters, or just fun patterns.
Donut Craft
Paper plates and colorful “frosting” cutouts come together in a donut craft that kids absolutely love making. They get to go full imagination on the toppings — sprinkles, drizzle, all of it. Fun for a baking or food theme day, and way less mess than actual donut-making.
Chomping Shark Clothespin Craft
A clothespin becomes a snappy little shark with painted jaws that actually open and close. Kids go absolutely wild for the chomping action, and it’s easy enough to put together in under an hour. Great as a summer party favor or just a fun desk toy that’ll entertain for way longer than you’d expect.
Starfish Ocean Craft for Kids
This sweet starfish craft uses paper and buttons to create a textured, ocean-inspired decoration kids will be proud of. The step-by-step is easy to follow, and the finished starfish look like they belong in a little underwater scene.
DIY Paper Fans with Template
These folded paper fans are actually useful on a hot summer day, which makes them instantly more exciting than a craft that just sits on the wall. Kids can decorate them before folding for a personalized touch and use different colors, not just patriotic.
How to Make a Paper Boat
The timeless origami paper boat — simple enough for kids to learn, satisfying enough that adults end up making three of them too. Float them in a tub, a puddle, or a backyard water table for extra summer fun. One of those crafts that sparks a little bit of magic every single time.
Paper Chain Octopus Craft
Long paper chains make up the twisty legs of these cheerful octopuses. A few snips of construction paper, some glue, and lots of paper linking turn into a super easy craft that even little ones can handle.
Great for toddlers, these summer crafts for toddlers are perfect for keeping hands busy. And if you’re lucky, you might get five full minutes to tackle that never-ending laundry pile.
Handprint Crab Craft
Little handprints become bright red crabs with googly eyes popping up from the claws. It’s simple enough for even the tiniest crafters to help paint and press their hands.
Perfect for toddlers, these summer crafts for toddlers make cute beachy decorations—and bonus, those painty hands will eventually wash off (probably).
Zig-Zag Paper Mango Craft
Folded strips of yellow paper create a fun zig-zag mango that pops right off the page. Kids glue on leaves and stems to finish their fruity masterpiece.
Ideal for preschoolers, this summer arts and crafts project is quick to prep and totally forgiving if you’ve got impatient little crafters on your hands.
Ice Cream Cone Name Craft
Stacked paper ice cream scoops spell out your child’s name, with each letter on a different color scoop. Kids love picking their favorite “flavors” for the colors.
Great for toddlers and kindergarteners, these summer crafts for preschoolers sneak in a little letter practice while feeling totally like playtime.
Handprint Sun Paper Plate Craft
Kids trace and cut their handprints to make sun rays surrounding a bright yellow paper plate sun. Soft orange and yellow colors create a cheerful summer decoration.
Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.
Paper Plate Flamingo
A pink paper plate, some googly eyes, and a long bendy neck turn into a sassy flamingo ready for summer. Kids love making the long legs extra wobbly.
Best for kids ages 3–6, these fun crafts for kids bring a bit of tropical flair to the kitchen table without requiring a full craft closet’s worth of supplies.
Tutorial: Pink Paper Plate Flamingo Craft
Mermaid Toilet Paper Roll Craft
Toilet paper rolls transform into glittery mermaids with yarn hair, printable fins, and bright designs. Kids can personalize their mermaids with different hairstyles, colors, and decorations.
Best for kindergarteners and up, this diy summer craft activity strengthens scissor skills and creative thinking and teaches to reuse everyday materials.
Masha Eretnova, born in 1991, is a Buenos Aires-based certified teacher, artist, and member of the Professional Artist Association with 20+ years of personal painting journey.
She started painting and drawing very early and is now an international abstract artist and educator passionate about acrylic painting, gouache, and crafts.
Her works are part of international exhibitions and contests, including ArtlyMix (Brazil), Al-Tiba 9 (Spain), Exhibizone (Canada), Italy, and many more.
Besides her artistic pursuits, Masha holds a post-grad diploma in Teaching Film Photography and 2 music school diplomas: piano and opera singing.