When the summer sun turns up and school’s out, the “I’m bored” soundtrack starts playing on repeat. I’ve been there.
As both an artist and a content creator (who also happens to babysit her nieces and nephews way too often), I’ve learned one thing that kids love messy, colorful, and surprisingly simple art projects, if they don’t feel like schoolwork.
So here’s a handpicked list of 11 art projects that are low-prep, screen-free, and big on fun. I’ve tried each one with kids between ages 4 and 11.
Some of these came out of accidental genius moments; others from watching kids turn a “meh” idea into magic.
Let’s talk in details.
Also see: 10 Easy Summer Beach Craft Ideas for Kids
1. Nature Stamps: Leaves, Twigs, and Unexpected Patterns
What you need: leaves, twigs, petals, washable paint, paper, sponge or roller
Kids love watching a plain leaf become a piece of art. This one’s great for toddlers too.
Tip: Use a sponge to apply paint instead of dipping leaves. It avoids globs and makes patterns clearer.
We once made “tree families” where each leaf represented a family member. One 6-year-old named hers “Mama Maple” and “Tiny Tim Twig.” It was adorable chaos.
Also see: 21 Simple Valentines Day Kids Drawing Ideas
2. Melty Crayon Sun Catchers
What you need: old crayons, wax paper, iron (adults only), scissors, string
Shave old crayons onto wax paper, fold it, and lightly iron it (sandwiched between cloth). The melted colors? Stunning.
Cut them into hearts, suns, or squiggly shapes, punch a hole, and hang them near windows. Instant color therapy.
One summer workshop, we hung 20 of these in a school hallway. It looked like a DIY stained-glass cathedral.
3. Puffy Paint Ice Creams
What you need: shaving cream, white glue, food coloring, paper, spoons
Mix glue and shaving cream 1:1, add color, and you’ve got DIY puffy paint. Kids can “scoop” ice cream onto paper cones.
Bonus? It dries puffy. And smells fresh.
Parent’s won’t have to worry as no one eats the paint because it smells like dad’s face foam. Crisis turned away.
4. Recycled Robot Buddies
What you need: toilet rolls, cereal boxes, foil, bottle caps, tape, glue
Let kids design their own robot buddies using trash. Name them, draw control panels, and add “antenna hats” with straws.
Ask them, “What’s your robot’s superpower?” One I got a genius reply by a girl for this, she said, “It tells me when my brother is lying.” isn’t this smart!
Our group once hosted a robot parade. The prize? “Best Dancer.” (A robot on wheels.)
5. Salt Painting Fireworks
What you need: glue, salt, black paper, watercolors,
Drizzle glue in firework shapes, sprinkle salt, and tap off the excess. Then touch the salt with a wet watercolor brush and watch the paint travel.
Kids are mesmerized. It’s like watching magic unfold.
The salt absorbs water and spreads pigment. It’s sneaky learning, which is the best kind.
6. Shadow Tracing Mural
What you need: toys, flashlight or sunlight, large sheet of paper, pencils
Tape a large paper on the ground. Place toys so they cast shadows, and have kids trace the outlines.
Here’s the twist, if you come back later in the day and trace again to compare the shadow shapes. It is great for storytelling: you can show “How & Why the dinosaur grew 3x bigger?”
My nephew once traced his hand at 9 AM and again at 4 PM, he called it his “growing spell.”
7. Water Balloon Splatter Art
What you need: biodegradable water balloons, non-toxic paint + water, canvas or thick paper.
Fill balloons with watered-down paint, tie them, and gently toss onto canvas. Messy? Absolutely. Worth it? Every time.
Use a tarp. Or do this on the lawn. The grass will thank you for the color.
Kids were so excited the first time we tried this, one yelled, “We’re making explosions of happiness!” I couldn’t beat that line.
8. Tape-Resist Silhouette Cityscapes
What you need: painter’s tape, black paper, white crayon, paint or chalk
Use tape to block off areas of the paper in shapes (think buildings, stars, etc.), then color over and peel the tape to reveal the silhouette
Let kids design their own “dream city.” We’ve seen “Candyland,” “Slime City,” and even “No Grown-Ups Allowedville.”
9. Frozen Paintbrushes
What you need: ice cube tray, paint, popsicle sticks, freezer
Mix paint with a bit of water, pour into trays, freeze with sticks. Next day? Ice paintbrushes.
It’s chilly, messy, and makes beautiful watercolor-like effects.
They love the melt-drip effect. My niece said it “felt like painting with a rainbow popsicle.” I mean… yeah.
10. Bubble Wrap Print Creatures
What you need: bubble wrap, paint, paper, googly eyes
Brush paint onto bubble wrap, press paper onto it, then cut out shapes. Add googly eyes and let kids create bubble monsters, fishes, or aliens.
The texture looks like scales or skin, and kids love naming their creatures. One kid named his “Sir Bubblesnort.” Unforgettable.
11. The “Don’t Tell Me What to Make” Table
What you need: scraps, glue, paint, markers, stickers, cardboard
This is less a project, more an experiment. Just dump all kinds of materials on a table and don’t give any instructions.
Let them lead.
We tried this during an art camp in a nearyby kid school. One kid made a hat for her water bottle. Another designed “angry pizza art.” There were no rules, so creativity exploded.
Not every project needs a plan. Sometimes the best ones come from curiosity, not templates.
Final Thoughts (And a Quick Note to Grown-Ups)
Here’s the thing, kids aren’t after Pinterest-perfect results. They want freedom, color, and a little wild energy. Summer is the perfect playground for that.
You don’t need fancy supplies, just a sense of humor, a spot that’s okay to get messy, and maybe a few backup paper towels.
If you’re a parent, teacher, camp organizer, or tired older sibling, pick a few of these. Test them out. Modify as you go. The real art is in the making, not the masterpiece.
And hey, if you try “Frozen Paintbrushes” or “Robot Buddies,” tag me or send a pic. I’d love to see the chaos you create.
P.S. Kids teach us something every time. Like how a blob of green and pink paint can be a dragon, if you believe hard enough.
Now go make something weird. That’s where the good stuff lives.
Thanks for reading!