Toddler Crafts for the Summer

In the summer, kids are out of school and looking for something to do. If you have a young child, then you will have your hands full. Here are some ideas for summer crafts to keep them busy.

Summer is about having fun. And, kids love to do just that. Crafts allow kids to learn skills while they have fun. If your toddler is getting ready for school in a year or two, your ideas could teach them spatial recognition, how to identify colors, how to identify shapes, and how to work independently. You may be surprised at how much your child’s identity comes through their work.

So, without further ado, here are some craft ideas.

Chalk Drawings

We are not talking about the chalkboard in a classroom. This is sidewalk chalk. It comes in a variety of colors and can lead to hours of fun for a child. Begin by having them stand in the light to create a shadow. You can make a tracing of their shadow on the ground. Then let your child use the chalk to draw hair, facial features and clothing on their chalk self. You can also let them draw designs of their own making using the different colors.

Paper Flowers

Flowers in bloom are beautiful. Introduce your child to their brilliance by making paper flowers. Use tissue paper, pipe cleaners and Styrofoam blocks. Kids can create different flower colors and shapes based on flowers they have seen or ones they want to create.

Wind a pipe cleaner around the center of the tissue paper to secure it. Then separate and shape petals and leaves. Finally, stick the pipe cleaner stems through a Styrofoam block to display them. You may need a plastic stake to prop up heavier flowers.

Wind Chimes

The sound of clanging objects in the breeze makes kids happy. It sounds like music. Help toddlers create their own wind chimes using metal washers, bells and other metal pieces that have a hole in them. The children can use string to suspend the pieces from a central object. You can use an empty plastic bottle or a container. Turn it over and place pairs of holes through the bottom. Tie the string through the pair of holes to secure the chimes. When you hang it, the breeze will delight the children.

Finger Painting

There is something about kids and getting messy that they enjoy. Clear a wide space and put paper down on the floor. Give each child a large sheet of poster board and the colors they choose to paint their picture. If they’ve never used paints before, you may have to show them first.

Summertime can be a time of learning and fun for toddlers. Use the above ideas for crafts to help teach and spend quality time with your child.