Perfect Summer Craft Ideas to Try in July for 4-Year-Olds
Four-year-olds who are trying hard to express what they want to do and what they can do.
Here, we’ll introduce July-perfect crafts recommended for four-year-olds, themed around Tanabata, water play, and sea creatures.
We hope this helps you create wonderful pieces that showcase each child’s individuality.
Be sure to display what they make.
Value children’s free ideas and let them express the joys of summer!
Since we treat what children make as works of art, we use the term “production” consistently in the main text.
- [For 4-year-olds] Crafts to make with preschoolers in July and August: Creative activities that let kids feel the summer
- Craft ideas to try in July for 3-year-olds
- [July] Recommended for 1-year-olds! Fun summer craft ideas
- [Childcare] A collection of ideas you’ll want to use for July wall displays!
- [For 3-year-olds] A roundup of craft ideas to enjoy in summer! Introducing various motifs and techniques
- [Crafts] A special feature on ideas to try with three-year-olds in August! Choose from a variety of motifs
- For 1-year-olds! Craft ideas recommended for August
- [For 4-year-olds] Recommended for August! Craft ideas: Enjoy a variety of motifs
- [For 5-year-olds] Crafts to try in July! Ideas that capture the season
- [4-year-olds] Craft ideas to enjoy with children in June
- Fun with preschoolers! July origami ideas to feel the season
- Craft activity ideas for 4-year-olds
- Recommended in July! Summer craft play ideas
[Age 4] Summer-perfect craft ideas to try in July (111–120)
[Ages 3 and up] Rainbow Craft
![[Ages 3 and up] Rainbow Craft](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UYdedjnTBzw/sddefault.jpg)
Here’s a craft idea inspired by rainbows, featuring the beautiful light reflected through colored cellophane.
Stick small pieces of colored cellophane onto a rainbow-shaped template to enjoy a stained-glass effect.
Handling the colorful cellophane also helps children develop their sense of color.
For a more satisfying result, it’s recommended that adults prepare the rainbow template in advance.
That way, children can simply enjoy exploring colors.
Take the finished piece outside and let it catch the sunlight to appreciate its beauty even more.
Give it a try!
[Stencil] Uchiwa Fan Making
![[Stencil] Uchiwa Fan Making](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NU8Qh0mEt2w/sddefault.jpg)
How about making uchiwa fans in July using a stenciling technique where kids dab paint stamps onto templates? The teacher can prepare the stencils in advance and have the children dab the paint onto them.
Any summery design works—think of themes that help kids feel the season, like sea creatures, shells, fireworks, or watermelons.
A tip is to use stamp colors that stand out against the background paper.
The stamping process is a lot of fun, so the children are sure to enjoy it.
silky beach
Summer-themed art projects and activities not only let children enjoy the season, they also nurture their imagination! Let’s try expressing a beach atmosphere through art to boost those summer vibes.
Kids can color freely on construction paper shaped like a beach umbrella, or tear tissue paper to resemble beach sand and glue it onto paper.
With their free ideas, what kind of beach will they create? Both children and teachers will be excited to find out.
It would also be lovely to display the children’s drawings or photos under the umbrella!
Dream-colored Whale
Whales swimming dynamically in the ocean are the perfect motif for summer! Here’s a craft idea for making a dreamy, pastel-colored whale using shoji paper to enjoy soft, blended effects.
Cut shoji paper into the shape of a whale’s body, fold it, and dab in several colors of your favorite paints to let them soak through.
Open it up, let it dry, then glue it onto a backing sheet and add the tail, eye, mouth, and belly.
For the finishing touch, load paint onto a toothbrush to splatter on “spouts,” and add water splashes with fingertip stamps if you like! This project encourages bold, expressive art, so let the kids create freely.
A fish with colorful scales
In summer, we often go to the beach or play in rivers, which means lots of chances to get close to fish.
So let’s try making a cute fish craft with colorful scales! Cut construction paper into the shape of a fish and stick on an eye.
For the scales, draw circles on origami paper, cut them out with scissors, fold each one in half, and glue them onto the fish.
Prepare origami in a variety of colors so children can choose their favorites.
If you include transparent or glittery origami, your fish will have a fresh, summery look.
Tanabata craft with swipe art
Let’s make Tanabata decorations using the swipe art technique! Swipe art is a method where you brush several colors of paint onto a sponge, then swipe the sponge to create striped patterns.
We use this pattern as a representation of the Milky Way and apply it to Tanabata decorations! The key tips are to mix plenty of water into the paint and to avoid pressing too hard when you swipe.
Add decorations like Orihime and Hikoboshi, star-shaped cutouts from construction or colored paper, and stickers to finish! The steps—dabbing paint onto the sponge and swiping—are very engaging, so be sure to let children enjoy creating them.
Handmade toys for pool play
Let’s make a toy with the kids that will double the fun of playing in the pool.
First, cut a plastic bottle to a suitable length, and to prevent injuries, round off the cut edge by pressing it with an iron.
Make several holes in the bottom so water comes out like a shower.
Next, thread small pieces of straw onto raffia tape to create a handle.
Finally, decorate the bottle by sticking on colorful vinyl tape cut into various shapes, and you’re done.
This activity is perfect for fine motor skills, like threading and sticking stickers.
The bright colors are sure to boost kids’ excitement for water play!