Showing posts with label best summer crafts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label best summer crafts. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 09, 2025

5 Crafts to Keep Your Kids Creative Without Screens

A vibrant collage featuring five fun and educational summer crafts for kids: a nature mandala made of leaves and flowers, handmade magic wands with colorful ribbons, a recycled robot made from cardboard and buttons, a sticker storybook with a child’s hands drawing, and two round salt dough ornaments with a heart and leaf design.


 Dear Super Moms,

Summer is here—and with it, the endless chorus of “I’m bored!” If you’re like me, you’re constantly looking for creative ways to keep your children entertained, engaged, and off their screens—without spending a fortune.

Today, I’m sharing 5 simple, screen-free crafts that spark imagination, boost focus, and bring your family closer together. These are tried-and-tested activities from my own “supermom” toolkit—and most of them use materials you already have at home!


1. Nature Mandala Collage

A flat-lay image of a symmetrical nature mandala arranged on a white background using green leaves, yellow petals, brown seeds, small white flowers, and a pinecone at the center. The natural elements are laid out in a radial pattern, creating a peaceful and harmonious design.
Go outside, collect leaves, twigs, flowers, and pebbles, and create a mandala together on the floor or a large sheet. It’s relaxing, beautiful, and teaches symmetry and patience.


🟢 What you’ll need: paper or cardboard base, glue, collected nature items

🎯 Age: 3+

💡 Tip: Take a picture before you clean it up—it makes a lovely memory!




2. Magic Wands with Personality

Five handmade magic wands crafted from wooden sticks are displayed on a light wooden background. Each wand is decorated uniquely with colorful yarn, felt shapes, ribbons, or beads, including a yellow star-topped wand with pink ribbons, a purple bow wand, and wands with orange-blue yarn or stacked wooden beads.
Transform chopsticks or sticks into sparkly magic wands using ribbons, beads, yarn, and hot glue. Let your kids invent spells and stories—perfect for roleplay and storytelling!


🟢 What you’ll need: sticks, ribbons, glue, decorations

🎯 Age: 4+

💡 Tip: Ask your child to name their wand and describe its power. You’ll be amazed!





 3. Recycled Robot Workshop

A cute robot figure made from recycled cardboard materials is displayed on an orange background. The robot has a rectangular head and body, button eyes and controls, a corrugated cardboard mouth, and arms and legs made from paper tubes, showcasing a creative and eco-friendly kids’ craft.
Gather toilet paper rolls, buttons, bottle caps, and boxes to create funky robot creatures. A wonderful STEM activity that encourages kids to upcycle and imagine.


🟢 What you’ll need: recyclables, glue, markers

🎯 Age: 5+

💡 Bonus: Turn it into a “Robot Fashion Show” for extra giggles.





4. Sticker Story Book

A child’s hands are seen decorating a handmade storybook with colorful stickers and crayon drawings. The open notebook shows a red-roofed house, a tree, butterflies, and a bunny holding a carrot, along with flower and duck stickers. Three crayons rest on the wooden table nearby.

Fold A4 papers to make a mini book and let your child decorate each page with stickers and drawings. Ask them to invent a story and read it aloud at the end!


🟢 What you’ll need: paper, stickers, colored pencils

🎯 Age: 3–8

💡 Connection time: Do this activity together before bedtime for a cozy moment.




5. Salt Dough Memory Tiles

Two round salt dough ornaments are displayed on a wooden surface. One features a green heart shape pressed into the dough, and the other showcases a green fern leaf imprint. Both crafts have a soft, handmade appearance and are used for nature-inspired memory keepsakes.
Make salt dough together, shape it into hearts or circles, and press little hands or summer finds (shells, leaves) into them. Once baked, paint and seal!


🟢 What you’ll need: 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 1/2 cup water

🎯 Age: 4+

💡 Keepsake idea: Write the date and your child’s name on the back.





Why These Crafts Matter

In a world full of screens and noise, hands-on creativity is medicine. It helps kids focus, express themselves, and build emotional resilience—all while creating unforgettable memories with you.

Let this summer be one of simplicity, joy, and connection. 

📸 I’d love to see your little artists in action!

If you try any of these ideas, share a photo with me on Instagram or tag me with #MariaSupermomCrafts


With love and paint-stained hands,

Maria


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Monday, August 13, 2012

5 Best Summer Family Fun Crafts

Have Fun trying those 5 best summer crafts I looked up for you. It's true I create crafts myself but I like appreciating the work of others as well and what's better than sharing their work on my blog.

1- Paper Plate Porthole by Amanda Formaro

paper plate porthole craft
Paper Plate Porthole Craft

What you'll need:

  • 2 paper plates
  • Silver craft paint
  • 8 pieces of ring shaped cereal
  • Fish-shaped crackers
  • Silk plant leaves
  • Sea shells
  • Sand
  • White craft glue
  • Blue cellophane
  • Wax paper
  • Scissors
Learn More on How to Make this Craft

2- Embossed Foil Sun Craft

embossed foil sun craft
What You'll Need:

Heavy duty aluminum foil
Elmer’s® Craft Bond™ Tacky Glue
Elmer’s® 3D™ Washable Paint Pens – glitter colors
Metallic chenille stems
Construction paper
Jute twine
8” diameter STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam: disc
Oil pastel crayon-black
Pins
Pencil
Scissors
Paper towels
Tweezers
Optional: decorative scissors and crimper

Click here for printables, patterns and Templates

Learn More on How to Make this Craft

3- Sandscape

sandscape
Sandscape

What You'll Need:

• Printed Boarder and Background Template*
• Construction paper
• Sandwich-size zip-lock baggie
• Glue
• Sand
• Measuring spoons
• Small macaroni shells
• White paint and brush
• Food coloring

Learn More on How to make this Craft


4- Ocean Flower Pot Craft

ocean flower pot craft
Ocean Flower Pot Craft

What You'll Need:
  • Small clay pot
  • Light blue, light brown, green, red and purple paint
  • White glue
  • Hot glue gun
  • Sand
  • Paint brushes
  • Dyed pasta shells
Learn More on How to make this Craft

5- Beach Door Hanger Craft

beach door hanger
Beach Door Hanger Craft

What You'll Need:
  • Wooden rectangle - sold at any craft store
  • Unpainted wooden palm tree and crab - sold at any craft store
  • White glue that dries clear (elmers will work fine)
  • 2 disposable foam paint brushes
  • Glitter
  • Sand
  • Paint - red, white, black, green, blue, brown and tan
  • Small seashells
  • String and tape
  • Regular paint brushes
  • Hot glue gun and glue (adults only)
Learn More about How to Make this Craft 


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5 Crafts to Keep Your Kids Creative Without Screens

 Dear Super Moms, Summer is here—and with it, the endless chorus of “I’m bored!” If you’re like me, you’re constantly looking for creative w...