4 Easy (And Cheap) Summer Crafts for Toddlers

Happy Summer!

The summer months are long...and hot. And if you're a parent of a toddler, there's only one thing that's more dreaded than the length and heat of summer: hearing the words "I'm bored!" But rather than lose your cool, why not tap into your creative side and make some fun crafts with your kids? From foam popsicle ornaments to beach-themed milk jug planters to sponge water balloons, here are four easy craft activities that you and your kids can enjoy together this summer:

1. Foam Popsicle Ornaments

Materials

• Foam sheets

• Ribbon or yarn (optional)

• Popsicle Sticks

Instructions:

• Cut the 2 pieces of foam into whatever popsicle shape you want and arrange them on your work surface with the sticky sides facing up. Place a popsicle stick on the sticky side, poking out enough to look like the stick for your popsicle ornament. Stick your second piece of foam popsicle onto the other, sandwiching the popsicle stick. Poke a hole through the top of your ornament and string ribbon through. Hag it up and admire!

2. Beach-Themed Milk Jug Planter

Look, I'm all for toddlers getting their hands dirty and learning all they can about ecology (and you are, too). But let's be honest: if your toddler is anything like my kiddos, they'll probably break the plant before it's even had a chance to grow. And then you'll have to clench your teeth and go to the store again because they just destroyed another plant and now you're stuck with a wilted mess of roots and dirt in your house.

So here's what we're going to do: Make this adorable beach-themed milk jug planter instead! You know how much kids love sandcastles? They can't get enough of them! Well now they can build them in their very own home.

This craft is so easy that even a toddler can do it. All you need are these items:

• An empty milk jug (that has been thoroughly washed)

• Paints— Paint the jug to look like a beach!

• Sift soil and seeds inside of your planter! (potato or carrot seeds are the most fun to watch!)

• Water regularly and watch the magic, right in your home!

3. Sponge Water Balloons

If your toddler is like any of my kiddos, they loves balloons. And if you’re like me, you probably have a stash of unused ones in a box somewhere gathering dust. But these days, balloons aren’t just for birthday parties—they can be used all over the house!

Grab an old damp sponge from under the sink and flatten it out on a paper plate. Then help your child fill the sponge with water using an empty plastic water bottle (or whatever else is handy). Let them squeeze and squeeze until every last drop has made its way into their new balloon buddy.

Next up: blowing up their new friend and tying off any loose ends with some twist ties or rubber bands. Remember to be careful when filling your newly-inflated balloon; if there are any sharp edges, on the sponge, that could puncture through its outer layer, it would be wise to trim them before continuing onward with this project!

4. Homemade Sidewalk Chalk

This project only needs three ingredients: corn flour, water and food coloring. There are so many different types of chalk you can make with this recipe! Use the special colors for painting and drawing, or keep it simple with white chalk that won't stain when the kids scribble on their hands or feet. The possibilities are endless!

Here's what you'll do:

• Pour some corn flour into an empty plastic container (a yogurt cup works great). Add a few drops of water at a time until you reach your desired consistency—it should be thick enough that it doesn't slide off easily but not so thick that you can't write with it.

• Add food coloring to the mixture until all of your ingredients have been completely covered in color. You may need more than one color depending on how vibrant you want the final product to be; feel free to experiment here.

Now comes the fun part—letting them play outside with their new creations! This is a great way for young children to enjoy what they helped to create!

Making crafts with your toddlers is a fun, simple way to pass the time on those long summer days! Crafts are an excellent way to spend time with your toddler, whether you're looking for something low-key or want to help them develop their fine motor skills. Crafting can also be a great tool in teaching children about the world around them.

As with any other activity involving children, it's important not to rush through the process of making crafts together—this may lead to frustration and boredom in both parties involved. Instead, make sure you allow plenty of time for your child's creative juices to flow freely. Your patience will pay off as they grow into lifelong crafters who can't wait until next year's craft fair so that they can show off their latest masterpiece!

With Love, Ms. Lindsay

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