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    Home » Art Activities

    Published: Jul 2, 2025 by Vicky · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Summer Art Activities for Kids

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    summer-art-activities-for-kids
    collage of summer art activities for kids

    Summer art activities for kids are a great way to keep little ones having fun on those warm days. From simple painting to nature crafts, each activity helps kids explore colors, shapes, and textures. These summer activities for kids are perfect for hot days and are sure to keep your little ones entertained and busy.

    If you are looking for summer play ideas, you won't want to miss this Water Balloon Hunt or these 15 Summer Activities Kids Will Love.

    Best Summer Art Supplies

    To keep summer art time creative and stress-free, having the right supplies on hand is a game-changer. Here are the essentials I recommend for mess-free, kid-friendly projects all season long.

    • Paint & Easel Paper Rolls – Big rolls of paper give kids the space to go wild with their ideas.
    • Paint Brushes – Designed for little hands, these brushes are easy to grip and clean.
    • Markers and Crayons – Bright, washable colors are perfect for kids.
    • Rounded-Tip Scissors – Safe for kids to use and great for cutting shapes and paper crafts.
    • Glue Sticks – Less mess than liquid glue and perfect for fast, fun crafting.
    • Craft Extras (Pom-Poms, Buttons, etc.) – Add some excitement to any project with a few colorful additions.

    👉 Tap any image below to shop these must-have supplies on Amazon and set up your summer art station today!

    Cra-Z-Art Washable Pearlescent Paint Bulk Pack 8ct, Assorted Colors 4oz each bottleMelissa & Doug Deluxe Easel Paper Roll Replacement (17 inches x 75 feet) - 3-Pack - FSC CertifiedAnezus Large Chubby Paint Brushes Round and Flat Preschool Paint Brushes for Washable Paint Acrylic Paint For Toddler , 10PcsHorizon Group USA Paint Brushes -35 All Purpose Paint Brushes Value Pack – Includes 8 Different Types of Brushes, Great with Watercolors, Acrylic & Washable Paints. MulticoloredCrayola Inspiration Art Case Coloring Set - Tie-Dye (140ct), Art Supplies Set For Kids, Drawing Kit, Travel Gift for Girls & Boys, Ages 5+ [Amazon Exclusive]Dan&Darci Arts and Crafts Vault - Craft Supplies Kit in a Box for Kids Ages 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 & 12 Year Old Girls & Boys - Crafting Set Kits - Gift Ideas for Kid Art Activity Gifts

     

    Why You'll Love Summer Art Activities

    • They’re fun and creative - Kids get to play with colors, shapes, and cool materials.
    • Easy to do anywhere - You can do these at home, outside, or in class.
    • Helps kids learn without realizing it - While making art, kids practice skills like focus, problem-solving, and even math and science!
    • Keeps kids busy - Perfect for when you want to relax or get work done but still want the kids entertained.
    Four beach-themed kids’ crafts: sunset art, painted shells, heart in sand, and a child painting a shell—perfect summer art activities for creative fun.

    Tips for Summer Art With Kids

    Tip 1: Keep the mess to a minimum. Use a washable tablecloth or newspaper to catch spills and make cleanup easy.
    Tip 2: Kid-friendly supplies like washable paints and blunt scissors keep everyone safe and happy.
    Tip 3: Let kids explore and make mistakes. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to create art!

    Collage of colorful kids art: painted shells, splatter paintings, and a child holding a painted cup outdoors—perfect summer art activities.

    FAQs for Summer Art Activities

    What if my kid doesn’t like getting messy?

    Try dry crafts like coloring or sticker art first, then slowly add paint or glue when they feel ready.

    How much prep do these activities need?

    Most are low-prep and just need a few minutes to come together. Simply gather a few basic supplies and you’re ready to go!

    Can these activities work for different ages?

    Totally! You can easily adjust the difficulty level to suit your child’s age.

    Fun Summer Printables for Kids

    Looking for easy ways to keep the kids entertained this summer? These digital downloads are perfect for road trips, beach days, and quiet time at home. No shipping, no waiting – just download, print, and enjoy

    Here’s what’s available in my shop right now:

    • 6 Printable Beach Bookmarks – Fun, colorful designs to encourage summer reading. Great for little bookworms!
    • Kids Printable Games for Summer – Keep boredom at bay with easy, screen-free fun like tic-tac-toe, scavenger hunts, and more.
    • 30-Page Road Trip Activity Book – Packed with puzzles, coloring pages, and travel games to make long car rides fly by.
    • Summer Boredom Buster Pack – A bundle of creative activities to spark imagination and keep kids engaged all season long.

    👉 Click on any image below to check them out – instant download available, so the fun can start today!

    Beach Printable BookmarksKids Summer Activity Pack PrintablesRoad Trip Activity BookSummer Boredom Buster Pack

     

    Summer Art Activities

    These activities are quick to set up, and they encourage kids to explore their imagination. Use them to turn everyday moments into fun, creative adventures that will keep little hands and minds busy all summer long.

    1
    Slide Painting Activity
    messforless.net
    Slide Painting Activity
    This slide painting activity is a fun way for kids to explore colors and movement outside. It’s easy to set up and lets little ones get creative with paint in a new way. Great for hands-on summer fun!
    Click here for this activity
    2
    Summer Sunset Art
    taminglittlemonsters.com
    Summer Sunset Art
    This colorful project uses tissue paper to create a glowing sunset scene. It's simple to set up and perfect for brightening up any window. A fun way to bring a bit of summer indoors!
    Click here for this activity
    3
    Squirt Bottle Painting
    messforless.net
    Squirt Bottle Painting
    Squirt bottle painting is a fun way for kids to make colorful art outside. It’s easy and lets them get creative while having a good time. Perfect for warm days and messy play!
    Click here for this activity
    4
    handsonaswegrow.com
    Paint with Frozen Paint Cubes
    This cool project turns paint into ice cubes that kids can use like colorful crayon-pops. It’s a fun way to explore art and stay cool at the same time!
    Click here for this activity
    5
    Sea Shell Craft
    messforless.net
    Sea Shell Craft
    This easy craft lets kids turn seashells into colorful, creative art. It’s a fun way to play with texture and color using something you might already have from the beach.
    Click here for this activity
    6
    Squirt Gun Painting
    firefliesandmudpies.com
    Squirt Gun Painting
    This outdoor art activity is a fun way for kids to get creative with paint. Using squirt guns or spray bottles, they can create colorful designs on paper or canvas. It's a messy but exciting way to explore art and enjoy the summer weather.
    Click here for this activity
    7
    Watercolor Painted Seashells
    messforless.net
    Watercolor Painted Seashells
    This craft is a fun way for kids to turn ordinary seashells into colorful art. It’s simple, creative, and lets kids paint in a new way. Perfect for adding a little beach magic to your day!
    Click here for this activity
    8
    notimeforflashcards.com
    Painting With Nature
    This simple summer craft turns your yard into an art studio. Kids can use leaves, flowers, sticks, or rocks to create prints and textures on paper. It's a fun chance to make colorful art without any fancy supplies.
    Click here for this activity
    9
    fun-a-day.com
    Colorful Shell Sculptures for Kids
    This simple craft lets kids use seashells to create beautiful art. Whether it's painting them, gluing them onto paper, or making jewelry, this is a great way to bring a bit of the beach indoors.
    Click here for this activity
    10
    Puffy Paint Ice Cream Cone Craft
    craftymorning.com
    Puffy Paint Ice Cream Cone Craft
    This fun craft lets kids make colorful, 3D ice cream cones using homemade puffy paint. Perfect for summer fun!
    Click here for this activity
    11
    totschooling.net
    Colored Sand Art Activity
    This colorful craft lets kids create textured art using colored sand and glue. It's a fun way for little ones to have a sensory art experience.
    Click here for this activity
    12
    Coffee Filter Butterfly Craft
    redtedart.com
    Coffee Filter Butterfly Craft
    This colorful craft turns simple coffee filters into fluttering butterflies. Kids can decorate the filters with markers or food coloring, watch the colors blend, and then shape them into wings.
    Click here for this activity
    13
    Summer Sunshine Clay
    nateandrachael.com
    Summer Sunshine Clay
    This simple, taste-safe clay recipe lets kids create and mold their own colorful shapes. It’s easy to make with common kitchen ingredients and dries naturally over time.
    Click here for this activity
    14
    Sidewalk Puffy Paint
    mominspiredlife.com
    Sidewalk Puffy Paint
    This DIY sidewalk puffy paint is a fun twist on traditional sidewalk chalk. Kids can use it to create colorful, 3D art on driveways or sidewalks. It's easy to make with simple ingredients and offers hours of creative outdoor play.
    Click here for this activity
    15
    livinglifeandlearning.com
    Watermelon Paper Plate Craft
    This easy and fun craft lets kids create their own watermelon slices using paper plates. A great way to add some bright, summery vibes to your day.
    Click here for this activity
    summer art activities for kids pin

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    Vicky from Mess for Less

    I'm Vicky, the founder of Mess For Less, which I started in 2011 to share easy, family-friendly recipes. With over a decade of experience as a home chef and recipe developer, I love creating meals that bring people together. I also design play and learning activities for kids, using my background as a former teacher with a Master’s degree in education. Learn more about me.

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