21 Fun Summer Crafts for Teens
Summer is a perfect time for teens to unleash their creativity and dive into fun, engaging projects. Whether they are lounging in the backyard, hosting a DIY party with friends, or just looking for a way to pass the time, these summer craft ideas will spark their imaginations. Plus, with the right mix of indoor and outdoor activities, teens can stay entertained all season long. Here’s a list of 21 exciting summer crafts that are sure to keep them busy and creative!
1. Painted Rock Garden Stones
Painted rock garden stones are a simple, yet incredibly fun craft for teens. These stones can be used to decorate gardens, back porches, or even as unique gifts for friends and family.
Teens can start by gathering smooth stones from a nearby park, beach, or craft store. They’ll need acrylic paints, brushes, and sealant to ensure their designs are weather-resistant. The possibilities for creativity are endless—whether they paint intricate patterns, favorite animals, or inspiring quotes, each rock becomes a miniature canvas.
This craft is particularly great for improving fine motor skills and concentration. Teens can create themes, such as painting rocks in various shades of blue for an ocean-inspired garden, or use vibrant colors for a summer flower theme. Once complete, these rocks can be scattered throughout flowerbeds or placed along pathways to add a personal touch to any outdoor space. Plus, they’re a fantastic way to spruce up the back porch decor.
2. Tie-Dye T-Shirts
Tie-dye never goes out of style, and summer is the perfect time for teens to experiment with this classic craft. With just a plain white t-shirt, fabric dye, and rubber bands, teens can create their own colorful and unique summer fashion.
The fun lies in the variety of patterns they can make by folding and twisting the fabric. From spirals to stripes, the outcomes are always a surprise. Teens can take this craft a step further by adding stencils or fabric paint once the dye is dry to personalize their designs even more.
Not only is this activity a great outdoor craft (perfect for keeping messes outside), but it also encourages teens to explore color theory and patterns. After their tie-dye sessions, they’ll have a one-of-a-kind wardrobe addition or even gifts for friends. These shirts are perfect for summer picnics, beach days, or just lounging at home.
3. DIY Friendship Bracelets
Friendship bracelets are a nostalgic and meaningful craft that teens will love. All they need is embroidery floss in different colors, and they can start knotting together designs that are both simple and complex. There are tons of patterns to choose from, ranging from classic stripes to more intricate chevron or heart designs.
Making friendship bracelets is not only a way for teens to express their creativity, but it also encourages patience and focus as they learn to master different techniques. Teens can make these bracelets as gifts for friends or keep them as personal summer souvenirs. It’s a relaxing craft that can easily be done while chatting with friends or lounging on the porch during warm summer afternoons.
4. DIY Dreamcatchers
Creating dreamcatchers is a relaxing and creative craft that teens will enjoy making on a quiet summer afternoon. They’ll need a hoop (either metal or wood), string or yarn, and some beads and feathers to decorate their dreamcatcher.
The process involves weaving the string in a web-like pattern inside the hoop, adding beads as they go. Teens can customize their dreamcatchers by incorporating colors that match their bedroom decor or by adding personal touches, like charms or meaningful trinkets. Dreamcatchers can be hung above beds or in windows to add a whimsical touch to their room, plus they’re said to catch bad dreams and let only good dreams pass through.
This craft is a great way for teens to practice focus, hand-eye coordination, and patience as they work on weaving intricate patterns. Plus, it provides a beautiful handmade decoration that they can take pride in.
5. Personalized Tote Bags
Tote bags are both practical and fun to make. Teens can purchase plain canvas totes from a craft store and decorate them using fabric paint, markers, or iron-on patches.
This is a great craft to encourage individuality since teens can create designs that reflect their personalities—whether it’s painting a favorite quote, sketching a summer beach scene, or stenciling intricate geometric patterns. These tote bags are perfect for carrying summer essentials like sunscreen, books, or water bottles when heading to the beach or park.
It’s an excellent opportunity for teens to practice design skills, and the finished product is something they can use all summer long. Teens can also gift these bags to friends, adding a personal and thoughtful touch.
6. Painted Mason Jars
Source
Mason jars have endless uses, and painting them is a great way for teens to customize their own storage containers. Teens can use acrylic paint or spray paint to give their jars a fun makeover. They can create ombre effects, paint summer-inspired patterns, or even use stencils for intricate designs.
Once the jars are painted and dried, they can be used for holding everything from pencils and brushes to snacks and flowers. Painted mason jars also make great candle holders, giving them a soft, summery glow when lit at night. This craft is perfect for teens who enjoy painting and can be a fantastic way to practice working with different painting techniques.
7. DIY Scrunchies
Source
Scrunchies are back in style, and making their own is a fun and simple summer craft for teens. With some fabric, elastic, and a little sewing, teens can create custom scrunchies in any color or pattern they want. It’s a great way to upcycle old clothing or fabric scraps into something new and useful.
Teens who are learning to sew will enjoy this quick project that doesn’t require much time or skill. Plus, they can make a variety of scrunchies to match their outfits or give them as gifts to friends. Whether for styling their hair in a messy bun or accessorizing their wrist, scrunchies are both fashionable and functional.
8. Sun Print Art
Source
Sun printing, also known as cyanotype, is a magical way to create art using the power of the sun. Teens will need special sun-sensitive paper and a few household items to get started. By placing objects like leaves, flowers, or lace on the paper and exposing it to sunlight, the areas covered by the objects remain white while the rest of the paper turns a rich blue.
Once developed, the paper reveals beautiful, detailed silhouettes of the objects placed on it. Sun print art is perfect for teens who enjoy photography and nature, as it combines both elements into one craft. These prints make great wall art or gifts and are a fun way to experiment with different compositions and patterns.
9. DIY Flower Crowns
Source
Flower crowns are not just for festivals—they’re a beautiful and fun craft that teens can make any time during summer. With a simple wire frame, floral tape, and faux or real flowers, teens can create stunning headpieces that are perfect for summer parties, photoshoots, or just wearing around the house for fun.
Teens can choose flowers that reflect their personal style—whether they go for soft, pastel blooms or bright, bold colors. They can also add greenery and ribbons for extra flair. This craft encourages creativity and allows teens to experiment with color combinations and floral arrangements. Plus, flower crowns make for beautiful photo props that capture the essence of summer.
10. DIY Outdoor Lanterns
Source
DIY outdoor lanterns are an excellent craft for teens who enjoy working with their hands and adding decorative touches to their outdoor spaces. By using glass jars, battery-operated tea lights, and some paint or string, teens can create custom lanterns to hang on trees, patios, or place along garden pathways.
Teens can experiment with different paint techniques, like frosted glass or metallic finishes, to give their lanterns a unique look. They can also use string or yarn to wrap around the jars for a rustic, bohemian vibe. These lanterns add a cozy, magical ambiance to summer nights spent outdoors.
11. Decorated Picture Frames
Source
Decorating picture frames is a great way for teens to display their favorite summer memories. Using plain wooden frames from a craft store, teens can paint, embellish, and personalize them with items like seashells, buttons, or beads.
This craft allows teens to get creative with their designs, whether they choose to paint beach scenes, geometric patterns, or fun abstract art. Decorated picture frames make wonderful gifts or can be used to frame photos from summer vacations, parties, or hangouts with friends. Plus, it’s a simple craft that doesn’t require much time or skill but offers a beautiful end result.
12. DIY String Art
Source
String art is a visually stunning craft that allows teens to create beautiful geometric designs using just nails, a wooden board, and colored string or thread. This craft is a bit more intricate, but it’s incredibly rewarding once the design takes shape.
Teens can start by choosing a pattern or image they want to create, like a heart, a word, or even a summer theme like a sun or wave. After hammering nails into the outline of the design on the wooden board, they can begin wrapping the string around the nails to create a colorful and unique piece of art. The beauty of string art is in the layering and texture that the threads create as they overlap in different directions.
This project is a fantastic way to develop precision and focus, and the finished product makes a great piece of home decor or a thoughtful gift. Teens can hang their string art on the back porch or in their bedroom to add a personal touch to their space.
13. Hand-Painted Planters
Source
For teens who love gardening or want to start their own mini plant collection, hand-painted planters are a fun and practical craft. Teens can take simple terracotta pots and transform them into colorful, unique works of art using acrylic paint or outdoor-safe paint.
They can experiment with different designs, such as polka dots, stripes, or even detailed landscapes. Teens who enjoy drawing can sketch out intricate designs with a pencil before painting. Once the pots are painted and sealed, they can plant succulents, flowers, or herbs inside and place them on their porch, windowsill, or garden.
Hand-painted planters are not only a great way for teens to express their artistic side, but they also promote an interest in gardening and plant care. Plus, these personalized planters make for great gifts or even a small summer business venture.
14. DIY Fabric Bunting
Source
Fabric bunting is a classic summer decoration that adds a festive touch to any space. Whether for a backyard BBQ, a summer party, or simply as a bedroom decor piece, teens will enjoy making their own fabric bunting with colorful scraps of fabric.
All they need is fabric in their favorite patterns or colors, scissors, and some ribbon or twine. They can cut the fabric into triangles, fold the top edge over the ribbon, and sew or glue the pieces in place. Teens can customize their bunting by using different fabrics for each flag or adding personal touches like stenciled letters or shapes.
This craft is relatively simple, making it perfect for beginners. It’s also a great way for teens to recycle old clothes or fabric scraps into something beautiful and reusable. The finished bunting can be hung outdoors on a porch or in a bedroom to add a fun and summery vibe.
15. DIY Bath Bombs
Source
For teens who enjoy pampering themselves, making DIY bath bombs is a luxurious yet simple summer craft. With ingredients like baking soda, citric acid, essential oils, and food coloring, teens can create colorful and fragrant bath bombs that fizz when dropped into the tub.
They can customize their bath bombs with different scents, colors, and even dried flowers or glitter for an added touch of luxury. This craft not only teaches basic chemistry (the reaction between baking soda and citric acid creates the fizz), but it also allows teens to create their own spa-like experience at home.
DIY bath bombs make fantastic gifts or can be sold at local craft fairs or online for teens interested in starting a small summer business. They’re perfect for relaxing after a long, hot summer day.
16. Pressed Flower Art
Source
Pressed flower art is a beautiful way for teens to capture the essence of summer by preserving flowers and creating art with them. This craft involves collecting flowers, pressing them between heavy books or using a flower press, and then arranging them on paper or inside glass frames.
Teens can use their pressed flowers to create stunning art pieces, bookmarks, or greeting cards. This activity encourages them to spend time outside collecting different types of flowers and leaves, which can also be a learning experience in identifying different plant species.
Pressed flower art is both delicate and timeless, making it a perfect summer craft that combines nature with creativity. The finished pieces can be framed and hung as wall art or given as gifts to friends and family.
17. DIY Beaded Keychains
Source
Beaded keychains are a fun and simple craft that teens can make in just a few minutes. All they need are beads, string or wire, and keychain rings. Teens can customize their keychains with different bead shapes, colors, and patterns, making each one unique.
This craft is not only a great way to use up leftover beads from other projects, but it’s also a fun way for teens to express their style. They can make keychains for themselves, as gifts for friends, or even as party favors for summer events.
Beaded keychains are practical, too—they can be attached to backpacks, purses, or even used as zipper pulls for jackets. This easy craft encourages creativity while providing a useful and stylish accessory.
18. DIY Sun Catchers
Source
Sun catchers are a beautiful way to bring color and light into any room. Teens can create their own sun catchers using materials like translucent beads, colored plastic, or even tissue paper.
One simple method is to use clear plastic lids or frames and fill them with colorful beads. Once the sun hits the beads, they’ll cast vibrant colors around the room. Teens can hang their sun catchers in windows, on porches, or in gardens to catch the sunlight and create a dazzling display.
This craft is great for teens who love working with bright colors and enjoy seeing the fruits of their labor come to life in a visual way. It’s also a fantastic way to add some summer sparkle to any living space.
19. Seashell Wind Chimes
Source
For teens who love spending time at the beach, seashell wind chimes are a fantastic summer craft that brings the sounds of the ocean into their home. Teens can collect seashells from their beach trips or purchase them from a craft store and use fishing line, wire, or string to connect the shells.
They’ll also need a base for the wind chime, such as a piece of driftwood or a metal ring. Once assembled, the wind chimes can be hung on a porch or in a garden, where the wind will create a relaxing, melodic sound.
Seashell wind chimes are a great way to repurpose beach finds and create a beautiful, functional piece of decor that reminds teens of their summer adventures. This craft is perfect for anyone who loves the beach and wants to bring a bit of the ocean into their home.
20. DIY Marbleized Notebooks
Source
Teens can give their school supplies a creative twist by making DIY marbleized notebooks. This craft involves using shaving cream, food coloring, and plain notebooks to create a marbled effect on the covers.
By spreading shaving cream on a tray, adding drops of food coloring, and swirling the colors together, teens can dip the covers of their notebooks into the mixture to create a beautiful, marble-like pattern. Once the design is complete, they can let it dry and enjoy their personalized notebooks.
This craft is perfect for teens who love bright, bold colors and want to start the school year with unique supplies. Marbleized notebooks are a fun and easy way to add a personal touch to everyday items.
21. Outdoor Painted Tic-Tac-Toe
Source
For a fun outdoor game and craft combination, teens can create their own giant tic-tac-toe board using rocks and paint. They can gather large, flat stones and paint Xs on half of them and Os on the other half. Using chalk, they can draw a large grid on a patio or driveway for the game board.
This craft is not only fun to make, but it also provides a game that teens can play all summer long with friends and family. The rocks can be customized with different colors, patterns, or even summer-themed designs to make the game more unique.
Outdoor painted tic-tac-toe is a great way for teens to get creative and enjoy some friendly competition outdoors. It’s a perfect craft for summer gatherings and can be stored for future use year after year.
Conclusion
These 21 summer craft ideas offer a wide variety of options for teens to explore their creativity, relax, and have fun. From decorating their outdoor living spaces with painted rocks and DIY lanterns to making personalized accessories like scrunchies and beaded keychains, there’s something for every interest and skill level.
Whether teens are working on back porch decor projects or crafting indoors, these ideas are perfect for filling summer days with creativity and color. Encourage your teens to gather their materials, invite some friends over, and get crafting this summer!
