The end of summer is quickly approaching, but most places still have moderate weather. It may be a little chillier than last month, but there’s still time to enjoy the outdoors before it gets too cool.
If you’re looking for fun crafts for toddlers, make use of these summer-themed crafts. Many of them give you the chance to go outside and enjoy the outdoors, but they can also be modified if you want to stay inside, too. Just be ready for a bit of clean-up either route you go.
With a little creativity, preparation, and patience, it’s possible to give your toddler an engaging craft that’ll be fun for both of you. The only question is which one to tackle first.
10 DIY Chalk Paint
If your toddler loves coloring with chalk, then level this artsy activity up by creating chalk paint. All you need is cornstarch, food coloring, and water – mix the ingredients together to create your paint.
View Happiness Is Homemade’s guidelines for further instructions.
9 Decorate A Kite
Finally, the end of summer is a perfect opportunity to fly a kite while the weather is still warm. Pick up a plain kite and allow your toddler to decorate it. Use paint and glitter to create a stunning work of art. Let the kite dry fully, and then take your toddler out on a windy day to test it out.
8 Shower Curtain Painting
If you have an old shower curtain kicking around, put it to good use with this craft. Happy Toddler Playtime instructs parents to hang the curtain outside with some rope. Then let your toddler paint the faux canvas with water-soluble paints. You can wash the curtain after to save it for next time.
7 Leaf Stamps
Now as we’re nearing the end of summer, the leaves are starting to change color. In some places, they’re even falling off the trees.
With your toddler’s help, find some beautiful leaves in nature. Then go home and turn them into stamps by covering them in paint. Help your child turn the leaf over onto a piece of paper to create a leaf print. They can decorate the rest of the picture as they want.
6 Handprint Fish Puppets
Put your toddler’s hands to good use – literally! Help them trace the outline of their hand, and then glue the cut-out to a popsicle stick. Add googly eyes or draw eyes and lips to identify the fish’s face and then let your toddler decorate it with crafting supplies. Afterward, you can pretend-play with your newly created fish puppets.
5 Create A Storybook
If your toddler loves reading, then help them become an amateur author by creating a storybook. Come up with a simple story. Your toddler may be able to give you direction (such as if they say it should be about a princess), but as the parent, you’ll need to take the lead.
Write down the story on several pieces of paper. Then, allow your toddler to create an image for each different page. You can read through the “book” afterward to admire their creation.
4 Play Makeup Artist
If your toddler is fascinated when you put on makeup, give them an opportunity to do it for themselves. Draw a face on a piece of paper, or find a free printout online. Then offer your toddler crayons, markers, paint, and other crafting supplies, so they can do the face’s makeup. Help them draw eyeshadow, lipstick, and whatever else they want.
3 Tie-Dye Clothing
Nothing screams summer quite like tie-dye clothing. Help your toddler experience the fun of dying a t-shirt or hoodie by picking up a child-friendly tie-dye kit. Do it outside if the weather is still warm enough.
However, be prepared that toddlers will need parental help the entire time. This isn’t a craft they can do independently, but they’ll be fascinated by the process and will be excited to wear their new colorful clothing afterward.
2 Draw The Family
At 2 years old, your toddler is beginning to recognize what your family looks like. They can identify mom, dad, siblings, and pets.
Instruct them to draw a family portrait. You need to help them by drawing the outline of stick figures. But let them color the hair and clothing of each family member. To help your toddler feel proud of their work, consider framing it and putting it on display beside other family photos. Hanging it on the fridge can also do the trick!
1 Flower Crown
With the end of summer approaching, the flowers aren’t going to last for long. But help your toddler create a flower crown to enjoy it while it lasts.
Pick up wildflowers if there are some locally available or choose faux flowers at a dollar or craft store, Artful Parent instructs. Allow your toddler to arrange the flowers on a headband or paper crown, and then help them glue it down. If you use a hot glue gun, only an adult should handle it.
Sources: Happiness Is Homemade, Happy Toddler Playtime, Artful Parent,