When it’s too hot to play outside, bring the kids to the table for some fun, attention-grabbing summer crafts that make the most of rocks, paper and scissors.
Go Fish!
No one is left out on the fun of making little fishies. Big kids can tackle a more involved project like these adorable DIY Japanese Fish and little kids can stick with a quick, instant gratification project like making Tropical Fish from Paper Plates.
1. Japanese Flying Carp Craft
This is a great summer craft project for kick-starting a discussion about other cultures, leading to a trip to the library, a new ethnic recipe or a new storybook to read at home. The flying fish are a take-off on a Japanese tradition of flying a wind sock – called a koinobori – on a holiday called Boys’ Day. Google the day for lots of colorful, fun photos that make for great inspiration and a bonus learning experience.
Squirrelly Minds provides step-by-step instructions with helpful (and beautiful) photos to go along with them.
For the Japanese Fish (via Squirrelly Minds) you will need:
3 empty toilet paper rolls
Double-sided tape (or a glue gun)
Tissue paper
White paper
A small dowel
Scissors
Twine
2. Tropical Fish Craft for Preschoolers
These bright, colorful fish make for a great summer craft for kids on the younger side who can simply paint paper plates and paste on fins, tails and google eyes. It’s a great summer craft for preschoolers or early elementary kids, who can take it a step further by adding more detailed designs and embellishments to their fish.
For the Tropical Fish (via Make and Takes) you will need:
8 miniature paper plates
Brightly colored paints
Paintbrush
4 large wiggle eyes
White craft glue
Glue stick
Scissors
Bigger kids (and parents or sitters who need a hand) can use these printable patterns for creating more realistic, detailed fish (include fins, tails and stripes and spots): pattern 1 and pattern 2.
3. Pet Rock Monsters Craft
Who among us hasn’t taken on a pet rock or two? Kids love pet rocks and this easy tutorial helps to turn plain ol’ pebbles into googly-eyed, colorful monsters – scary or silly. Let your child’s imagination run wild to create their own creatures. Wouldn’t this make a fun summer craft to tackle after watching the Monsters University movie?
The how-to is simple: Paint them all over and leave them to dry thoroughly. Then paint on details and glue on the goggle eyes to make them come alive.
For the Pet Rock Monsters (via Cocoa Bean) you’ll need:
An assortment of hand-sized rocks or pebbles
Paints
Small paintbrushes
A Sharpie
Glue
Google-eyes
4. Jellyfish Craft for Kids
These cute jellyfish would be great to hang from a ceiling in your child’s bedroom or playroom. The instructions are simple:
▪ Paint the outside of two paper bowls.
▪ Trim eyes from cardstock or draw the eyes with markers.
▪ On the inside of the bowl, add liquid adhesive and place the ends of ribbon in it. Place another bowl on top (with the ribbon sticking out) and let it dry.
▪ Poke two small holes in the center of the bowl. Thread fishing line through the bowl so it creates a loop under the bowl.
▪ Tie ribbon and trim to the loop, then tighten the loop to secure the ribbon.
For this Jellyfish summer craft, you will need:
Paper bowls
Watercolor paints
Cardstock (for the eyes. Or simply draw them on with a Sharpee)
Liquid adhesive or glue
Ribbon
Fishing line
