Part of our Summer Holiday Bonus Blog Series – fun, screen-free ideas to help keep the kids entertained!
Summer holidays are brilliant… but let’s be honest, they can feel very long when the kids are bouncing off the walls by 10am. Crafting is a great way to calm the chaos, encourage creativity, and make memories together — without needing to leave the house.
Here are three super simple, low-mess crafts perfect for summer days:
1. 🐠 Paper Plate Aquariums
Bring the seaside home with this colourful underwater craft!
You’ll need:
- Paper plates
- Blue paint or crayons
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- String or ribbon
- Scrap paper/card, foil, or tissue for fish and seaweed
How to make it:
- Cut a “window” in one plate and paint both plates blue inside.
- Decorate one plate with paper fish, seaweed, and shells.
- Tape string across to “hang” some fish in the middle.
- Stick the plates together like a 3D frame – and voilà, your own mini aquarium!
🧠 Bonus: Kids can name and write a story about the fish they’ve created!
2. 🎨 Nature Paintbrushes
Combine outdoor time with creativity by making paintbrushes from garden finds.
You’ll need:
- Small sticks
- String or elastic bands
- Leaves, grass, feathers, or flowers
- Paint & paper
How to make it:
- Gather materials during a nature walk.
- Tie different textures to the ends of sticks to create brushes.
- Dip in paint and experiment with patterns!
🌿 Tip: Try using mud or natural pigments if you’re outdoorsy and adventurous!
3. 🍦 Ice Cream Cone Collage
No mess, no melting — just crafty ice cream fun!
You’ll need:
- Coloured paper or card
- Scissors & glue
- Cotton wool, buttons, stickers, or tissue paper
- Glitter (optional!)
How to make it:
- Cut cone shapes from brown paper and scoops from other colours.
- Let the kids layer on scoops and decorate with “sprinkles” and “cherries.”
- Add a name or flavor to each cone!
🍭 Fun variation: Turn it into a menu or display a pretend ice cream shop.
📦 Keep It Simple
Crafting doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. With a few supplies and a little imagination, you can turn a quiet afternoon into a creative adventure. Plus, you’ll have some fridge-worthy art (or very enthusiastic messes) to show for it.
✨ Tag us in your summer creations — we’d love to see what your little artists come up with!
Want more low-cost family fun? Check out the rest of our Summer Holiday Bonus Blog Series for outdoor ideas, local day trips, and more stay-at-home activities.
