By Michelle Clarke
Arts Program Coordinator
Summer is a great time to try out some of the messier crafts. Kids looove the messy crafts, and you can even have your kids do this in their bathing suits outside and follow it with some water fun 😉
But for those of you who prefer to keep the mess for us over here at summer camp, I’ll also include some less messy summer-themed crafts for those times you want to chill out in the air conditioning or get out of the rain.
For Young Children:
SWIMMING JELLY FISH
These are so cute, you may want to make them with your older children too!
http://iheartcraftythings.com/paper-plate-swimming-jellyfish-craft.html
ICE PAINT
A fun way to keep things “cool”!
TISSUE FISH
For this one, you just need a paper plate and tissue paper. Cut out a triangle for the mouth and use it to glue on the back for a tail. For a more colourful fish, you can paint it before adding the tissue paper. Use a googly eye or just draw on an eye with a marker.
Older Kids:
SALT PAINTING
This tutorial is for Jelly Fish, but you can paint anything you want with salt paint: try other sea creatures, writing your name, or anything you like!
http://www.iheartartsncrafts.com/jellyfish-salt-painting-activity-kids/
DIY FIDGET SPINNERS
These ones are very popular around here 😉
http://www.redtedart.com/make-fidget-spinner-diy/
For Kids of All Ages:
PUFFY PAINT
Kids of all ages love this one!
Just make sure that the kids don’t eat it!
http://www.craftymorning.com/puffy-paint-cotton-candy-craft-kids/
SQUIRT GUN PAINTING
This one is super fun! A friend of mine had the brilliant idea to do this at her daughter’s birthday party on a big canvas and now she has some a great big abstract art piece up in her living room!
http://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/squirt-gun-painting/
TIE DYE
Go retro with some good old fashioned tie dye!
https://www.tiedyeyoursummer.com/techniques?pp=1
ICE CREAM IN A BAG
This one is fun and delicious too!
http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/07/summer-fun-ice-cream-in-bag.html?m=1
DIY SIDEWALK CHALK
These can be made in ice cube trays, muffin tins or popsicle moulds. If you are feeling fancy, you can also look for different shaped ice cube trays at the dollar store.
https://projectnursery.com/2015/05/diy-sidewalk-chalk-pops/#_a5y_p=5245552