Recommended in July! Summer craft play ideas
In July, many daycare centers and kindergartens start Tanabata celebrations and pool time.
Summer is full of events kids can enjoy, like beach trips and fireworks festivals.
Here, we’re introducing craft ideas to make summer even more fun.
You can create summer-themed projects related to Tanabata, seasonal flowers, sea creatures, and cool treats.
Use these ideas as a guide to enjoy crafting with the children and spend the hot summer happily and energetically!
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- [July] Recommended for 1-year-olds! Fun summer craft ideas
- [For 4-year-olds] Crafts to make with preschoolers in July and August: Creative activities that let kids feel the summer
- Perfect Summer Craft Ideas to Try in July for 4-Year-Olds
- [Childcare] Recommended for 3-year-olds! Craft activity ideas
- [For toddlers] Simple but amazing craft ideas — including toys they can play with
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- [For 5-year-olds] Crafts to try in July! Ideas that capture the season
- Craft ideas to try in July for 3-year-olds
- [For 3-year-olds] A roundup of craft ideas to enjoy in summer! Introducing various motifs and techniques
- Fun to make in childcare! A collection of easy origami ideas recommended for July
Recommended in July! Summer craft play ideas (1–10)
Fluffy jellyfish
This is a fluffy jellyfish craft that even small children can enjoy making! It’s appealing because it uses easy-to-find materials from 100-yen shops, like drain nets and tissue paper.
The step where you crumple the tissue paper into balls lets kids enjoy the texture of the materials.
You make it by stuffing the crumpled tissue paper into a drain net and tying it tightly with thread to finish.
If you thread string through the top of the jellyfish, you can also hang it as a decoration! Try filling it with tissue paper in various colors to create your very own original jellyfish.
Wobbling Watermelon
When it comes to fruits you just can’t resist in the summer, watermelon tops the list! Let’s make a cute, delicious-looking watermelon out of a paper plate.
First, cut a circle of red construction paper to match the inner line of the paper plate and glue it in place.
Next, color the rim of the plate green with a pen or crayon.
Finally, fold the paper plate firmly in half, draw the watermelon seeds, and you’re done! You can also use holes from a hole punch or stick on black stickers for the seeds.
If you tap it with your finger, it gently wobbles—making this a craft that kids are sure to find exciting.
Colorful ice pop
Chilled popsicles are perfect for hot summer days! Let’s make a cute popsicle wall decoration that will spark kids’ appetites.
It’s recommended to use construction paper in various colors to create colorful popsicles.
Then decorate them by sticking on small pieces of paper, scraps, stickers, and stamps.
You’ll end up with fun, festive-looking popsicles! It’s also a great idea to combine red and green paper to make a watermelon bar.
Recommended in July! Summer craft play ideas (11–20)
[Aluminum Cup] Fireworks
![[Aluminum Cup] Fireworks](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z6Y5KFAIdOA/sddefault.jpg)
Here’s a perfect August craft: fireworks made using bento cup liners.
For this project, you’ll mainly use the thin paper placed between the cups.
First, unfold the paper and fold it three times to make a triangle.
Then draw lines in shapes like triangles or circles and cut them out with scissors.
This part requires fine motor skills, so please have an adult help.
Once you’ve cut out the shapes, use pens to draw patterns.
The patterns and colors are up to you, so let the kids create freely.
Since the paper is layered, press firmly with the pen to let the ink bleed slightly—that’s the key.
After finishing the patterns, unfold the paper and stick it onto a silver cup.
The cutout areas will shine silver, creating a beautiful firework effect!
Crab handprint art
Let the kids join in to create a summery wall decoration! This unique idea was inspired by the silhouette that looks just like a crab when both hands are spread wide and the wrists are joined together.
Trace the children’s hands, cut them out, and arrange them symmetrically.
Stick on eyes near the center, add claws around the thumbs, and it’s done! The big round eyes are especially cute.
With the blazing sun and a refreshing breeze—you can almost picture a summer beach with this fresh, seasonal wall display!
Stained-glass-style fish
These stained-glass-style fish shine as they reflect the light, making them a perfect craft to display in the classroom.
Cut construction paper into the shape of a fish, then cut out the center and stick OPP tape on the back.
Prepare several colors of cellophane cut into small pieces, and have the children stick them onto the OPP tape.
Attach the dorsal fin and tail, and it’s done! Choose a sunny spot in the classroom and hang them from the ceiling, and the room will transform into an aquarium! The children will surely find themselves gazing up, watching the fish swim overhead.
The Milky Way and Orihime and Hikoboshi
Turn a kitchen must-have—parchment paper—into the Milky Way! It’s a fun, hands-on craft you can enjoy with kids.
First, spread several colors of acrylic paint onto the parchment paper, fold it in half, and use your hands to spread the paint.
Next, open it up and flick white paint with a brush to complete the Milky Way.
Then roll the parchment into a tube, staple it, and hang Orihime and Hikoboshi motifs from twine to finish.
The tactile fun of spreading paint on parchment paper and the freedom to combine colors will give you a unique, personality-filled Tanabata decoration!