15 Easy Summer Crafts On A Budget
Creative and Affordable Summer Craft Ideas for Everyone
Happy summer, everyone! If you’re already feeling excited about the long days and warm sunshine, why not add some more cheer to your plans with summer crafts? These are not only great for kids, but they can also be wonderful ways to add some bright color and fun to your home to bring summer inside! These 15 Easy Summer Crafts On A Budget will be a must-have for those who want to enjoy all of the fun things without breaking the bank.
Even when you glance at each of the 15 crafts for summer, you’ll see they are bright colors. This is because summer is the perfect time to really play around with color and pattern.
But, what I love most about these is that it’s easy color, fun crafts, and a low price tag each time. Take a look and see for yourself.
One fun choice is the pom pom garland that decorates your doorway or wall with flamingos. Or the popsicle stitch bid feeder — this is great for each child (or adult) to personalize their favorite colors.
For little ones who love dolls, you can design pipcleaner mermaid dolls that are going to entertain them for hours of fun in making and playing with them.
The crinkled paper fans with fruit designs and faces are also a great way to help beat the heat in a fun, personalized style.
Plus, they’re great toys for kids to play with outside, inside, on car trips, and more!
For those who love flowers, you can create muffin liner flowers with fun little buttons. Or, paper plate flowers with some colored string for lots of creativity and fun.
One of my favorites is the pressed flower lanterns, which are going to be gorgeous ways to bring botanicals inside.
Plus, they double as great gifts for a special someone in your life who will appreciate the time and effort that you put into something so elegant!
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15 Budget-Friendly DIY Projects to Brighten Your Summer Below
Are you ready to choose the perfect cheap summer craft to entertain you and your household? If so, scroll through this fun collection and decide what you want to try.
Since these are great for kids, don’t forget to involve them in the decision process!
These are kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, and basic-craft-supplies-friendly, too, for everyone’s convenience.
When you have just the right one, click on the link, and you’ll be taken to the craft instructions to get to work!
These instructions will give you lots of detail on craft supplies and processes, too, so you’ll know exactly how to create the finished project from start to finish.
If you like what you see, please consider leaving a kind note for the hardworking creator!
Butterfly Suncatcher Craft
This fun craft uses colorful tissue paper to make a beautiful butterfly that catches the light. Hang it in your window to brighten up any room. It’s a simple and cheerful decoration for summer.
Designer: Agnes Hsu of Hello, Wonderful
Materials Used:
- Empty paper roll tubes
- Transparent colored gel filters
- Plastic googly eyes
- Pipe cleaners
- Popsicle sticks
- Hot glue gun or craft glue
- Scissors
- Pen or marker
Format: Handmade
The BFG Paper Plate Dream Catchers Craft
Turn paper plates into cute dream catchers with yarn and beads. Kids will love making these and hanging them in their rooms. They’re perfect for adding a playful touch to summer decor.
Designer: The Suburban Mom
Materials Used:
- Paper plates
- Yarn
- Crayons
- Sequins
- Glitter
- Feathers
- Pony beads
- Glue
- Scissors
- Hole punch
Format: Handmade
Cupcake Liners Flower Craft
Use cupcake liners to create pretty 3D flowers that never wilt. These are great for decorating tables or walls. It’s an easy and affordable way to bring a bit of nature indoors.
Designer: Kelly Meier of Ideas For The Home
Materials Used:
- Cupcake liners
- Hot glue gun
- Buttons
Format: Handmade
Easy Rainbow Craft_ Floating Raft
Build a mini raft with popsicle sticks and foam to float in water. Kids can paint it in rainbow colors for extra fun. It’s a great project for summer playtime in the pool or pond.
Designer: Asma of Art Craft and Fun
Materials Used:
- Rainbow Colored Popsicle Sticks
- Hot glue gun or any waterproof glue
- Styrofoam
- Scissors
Format: Handmade
Paper Jellyfish Craft for Kids
Make hanging jellyfish with paper and ribbons for an ocean-themed craft. These look great in kids’ rooms or at summer parties. They’re simple to make and add a fun, wavy touch to any space.
Designer: Crafts by Ria
Materials Used:
- Jellyfish printable
- White A4 cardstock (for the Jellyfish’s head)
- A4 construction paper in different colors (for the paper chains)
- Watercolor, crayons, or colored pencils
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Yarn and clear tape (optional, for a hanging jellyfish)
- Stapler (optional)
Format: Handmade
Seashell Painting
Paint seashells with bright colors to turn them into tiny works of art. Use them for jewelry, decorations, or gifts. This craft is perfect for bringing a bit of the beach home.
Designer: Debbie Chapman of one little project
Materials Used:
- Seashells
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrus
Format: Handmade
DIY Summer Fruity Paper Medallions
Create colorful fruit shapes from paper to hang as decorations. These are great for summer parties or as garlands. They’re easy to make and add a cheerful vibe to any space.
Designer: Damask Love by Amber Kemp-Gerstel
Materials Used:
- 3″ wide strips of orange cardstock, scored at 1/2″ intervals
- A popsicle stick
- A 5″ diameter circle
- A 4″ diameter circle
- Scissors
- A hot glue gun
Format: Handmade
Summer Fruit Paper Fans with Free Printable
Print and fold paper into fruit-themed fans to stay cool in the heat. These double as cute decorations for parties or picnics. They’re practical and fun for summer days.
Designer: Agnes Hsu of Hello, Wonderful
Materials Used:
- Paper or cardstock (for printing the fans)
- Popsicle sticks
- Glue or tape
Format: Handmade
Paper Plate Fruit Craft
Cut and paint paper plates to look like big, colorful fruit. Hang them on walls to brighten up any room. This is a quick and easy way to add a summer feel to your home.
Designer: Amanda Davis of Crafts by Amanda
Materials Used:
- 5 miniature paper plates
- Craft paint: red, orange, green, olive green, yellow, white
- Construction paper: yellow, orange, green, pink, white
- Markers: brown, yellow, orange
- Scissors
- Glue stick
Format: Handmade
Flamingo Pom Pom Garland for Summer
String together pink pom-poms and flamingo cutouts for a fun garland. It’s perfect for tropical-themed parties or kids’ rooms. This craft is simple and adds a playful touch to summer decor.
Designer: Create Craft Love
Materials Used:
- Cricut Explore or Maker
- Pink cardstock
- Light grip mat
- Basic tool set
- Fine point blade
- Pink yarn
- Small pom pom maker
- Hot glue gun
- Twine or ribbon
Format: Handmade
Popsicle Stick Bird Feeder Craft
Build a small bird feeder using popsicle sticks and twine. Hang it outside to attract birds to your garden. It’s a great way to teach kids about nature while making something useful.
Designer: Made With Happy
Materials Used:
- Jumbo Colored Craft Sticks
- Hot Glue Gun or Wood Glue
- Twine
- Bird Seed
Format: Handmade
How To Make Paper Lantern Craft
Fold and glue paper into lanterns that glow when lit. These are perfect for summer evenings or outdoor gatherings. They’re easy to make and create a cozy atmosphere.
Designer: The Joy of Sharing
Materials Used:
- Mandala Pattern
- Popsicle Craft Sticks
- Tracing Paper
- Metallic Washi Tape
- Color Markers
- Glue
- Hot Glue
- Pencil
- LED Tealight Candle
Format: Handmade
Pipe Cleaner Mermaid Dolls
Twist pipe cleaners into cute mermaid dolls with sparkly tails. Kids will love playing with these or using them as room decorations. It’s a quick and fun craft for summer creativity.
Designer: Agnes Hsu of Hello, Wonderful
Materials Used:
- Two pieces of pipe cleaners – one for the body and one cut for the arms
- Yarn for the hair
- Small wooden bead for the face
- Black marker or paint to add eyes
- Embroidery thread for the tail
- Small piece of cardboard to hold tail
- Rick Rack ribbon to cover the tail and for mermaid top
- Artificial flower for fin
- Small sequin or bead to decorate fin
- Tiny embellishments like seashells or starfish for hair and hand decoration.
Format: Handmade
Threaded Paper Plate Flowers
Use yarn and paper plates to make textured flowers. These are great for decorating or giving as gifts. It’s a simple craft that kids can enjoy making.
Designer: Kids Craft Room
Materials Used:
- Coloured Paper Plates
- Yarn
- Green Cardstock
- Coloured Cardstock
- Hole Puncher
- Scissors
- Sticky Tape
- Glue
Format: Handmade
Pressed Flower Lanterns
Stick pressed flowers onto jars to make pretty lanterns. When lit, they cast soft, natural patterns of light. These are perfect for adding a cozy touch to summer nights.
Designer: Debbie Chapman of one little project
Materials Used:
- Mod podge
- Pressed flowers
- Glass jar
- Paintbrush
- Twine
- Tealight or Votive Candle
Format: Handmade
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