Summer Crafts for Kids - Help the Children Overcome Boredom and Learn New Skills

Are you looking for some ideas for summer crafts for kids?

One of the biggest complaints children make during summer vacation is that they are bored. While they enjoy the weeks off from school, children also crave fun activities to do to fill their time.

Summer is a great time for kids to relax, have fun and learn new crafts and skills. Here are some summer crafts for kids that will not only be educational, but will also help them have fun this summer.

Remember when planning your crafts, make them age appropriate. You don't want your younger children frustrated by trying to complete crafts that are too advanced for them. On the other hand, you don't want summer crafts for kids who are older to be too simple. The main purpose, however, is to have fun.

Pinwheels

For younger children, one of the summer crafts for kids you can help them with is creating their own pinwheels. To create your own pinwheels, you will need the following: colored card stock or construction paper (the heavier the paper the better - you don't want your pinwheels falling apart), colorful thumbtacks, a new pencil with a good eraser, craft glue, scissors, a ruler, and sequins or stickers to decorate your pinwheel.

First, you will need to cut the paper to make your pinwheel. Using your ruler, draw a 6x6 inch square in the middle of your paper. Draw a circle in the very center of the paper (approximately 1" in diameter) and (using your ruler) trace lines going from each corner to the edge of the circle. With your scissors, cut from each corner to the center of the paper being careful to NOT cut into the circle you have drawn. You should now have four sections of your paper.

Fold a corner of each section toward the center of the paper (your circle) and secure with the thumbtack. Glue the folded corners together and let dry completely. Now, taking a thumbtack, secure the pinwheel's head to the eraser of the pencil, making sure the pinwheel isn't touching the eraser. This step is important if you want your pinwheel to spin.

Add sequins, stickers or any other decorations to personalize your pinwheel. If you wish to add writing, you will need to do so before you start the folding process. You have now created a colorful pinwheel.

Play Dough

Another of the summer crafts for kids is creating your own play-dough. This is another activity that is not only fun, but educational. It also helps children expressive themselves through art by creating their own play-dough sculptures. Because this requires the use of the stove to cook the dough, you will need an adult to assist you.

To make homemade play-dough, you will need: 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup salt, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar, and food coloring.

Mix all the ingredients except the food coloring in a small sauce pan and heat over low heat until the mixture turns to dough. Lightly flour a surface and knead the dough until it is cool enough to work with.

Separate the dough into smaller sections and add your food coloring (just a few drops are needed) and knead the dough until the food coloring is evening blended. For colors other than the primary colors found in most food coloring boxes, mix the food color drops on a spoon first and then add to the dough. You have now created your own play-dough and can start making your own sculptures.

Summer crafts for kids are a great way to fill the time in the summer and give the children fun activities. Summer crafts for kids are also educational and help children learn new skills and develop talents.

Have fun expressing your creativity!

Read More: More Summer Craft Ideas | Summer Kids' Activities | More Summer Activities for Kids | Summer Camp Themes | Summer Activities | Summer Recipes and Food | Other Summer Fun and Ideas | Other Seasons, Vacations and Holiday Ideas | Home Page | Site Search

Click here for more pages and articles on Summer Activities.

	Get a health-promoting or eco-friendly gift for someone special. Thousands of choices available. $5 or $10 discount for new customers.

Some Related Summer Activities Pages

Summer Camp Themes - Cool, Fun and Exciting Summer Camp Ideas

Summer Kids' Activities - Things for the Children to Do During Summer

Summer Activities for Kids - Keeping the Children Busy and Happy

Summer Crafts for Kids - Help the Children Overcome Boredom and Learn New Skills

Summer Craft Ideas - Fun Hands-on Activities for those Hot Months

Summer Vacation Ideas - a Good Mid Year Break for You and the Family

Family Summer Vacation Ideas in the United States