How is it possible that it’s been 9 years since I wrote my first 13 Crafts for Teens and Tweens? I have so many new posts to choose from that it will be hard to narrow them down to 11, so I will split them into summer and winter. The following are 11 favorite summer crafts that we did either at art camp, at home, or through my own creative practice. I will link to all of the original posts so you can click and read about each project thoroughly.
As with all crafts that I write about here on Art Bar, kids are free to interpret my ideas in their own way and take creative liberties to make their work as original as they desire. Because I focus so much on process art in early childhood, it can feel rigid for me to write step-by-step instructions. But I do find that as kids get older, they really love to learn skills and make things to wear or to decorate their rooms, which become sacred spaces through adolescence and teen years.
Unlike my work with young children, where I employ the “use what you have” mindset (hello, recyclables!), many of these projects are a bit more involved and require purchasing some specific materials. Wherever possible, I will tell you when/if you can substitute with materials you already have. Since teens and tweens love to socialize and hang out with friends, many of these projects are great for a group, too!
1. Dye Your Own Sand for Sand Art Bottles
Is it even summer without sand art? I used sand from the beaches of Rhode Island for this experience. I collected about 10 bit ziploc bags and then dyed the sand within the baggies. You can also use Tupperware, but be aware of size, as the sand gets heavier than you think. The vessels are recycled mango and pear juice bottles. This one was incredibly engaging and special.
I get my salad spinners from Ikea, and they have lasted me almost two decades! I love using the squeeze bottle washable paints from Ikea, too. Let kids play with this technique until the materials run out (cut tons of small square papers) – as they start to understand the science of layering colors, their pieces become even more fabulous.
3. Koolaid-Dyed Rainbow Weaving
We dyed wool roving for this project, but you can buy brightly colored yarn at the craft store as an alternative. If you want to dye yarn, make sure it is 100% wool or 100% cotton because acrylic fiber won’t absorb dye. This is a wonderful, soothing craft that teaches the weaving skill in an open-ended way.
4. Painted Coffee Filters Wall Hanging
Coffee filters are so interesting to paint, they absorb water and become translucent. Make sure to set out a drying area for all of the coffee filters. They dry very quickly, and then the color pops! Add some mark-making on top to really make these into mini-masterpieces.
This time we are painting coffee filters in bright liquid watercolors, letting them dry, and then folding and cutting out a pattern of notches. This Mexican decoration is another “wow” when revealing each pattern, and kids love finding new ways to cut!
6. Anna Blatman Inspired Glue Batik
This glue technique worked so well, I was genuinely surprised! I used to batik with hot wax as a kid, but this worked brilliantly. I washed them all in the bathtub, which took some time. If I did this again, I would make the washing part of the experience! Kids of all ages love a good water sensory invitation, especially in the summer. Love the wire hanger solution, too.
A friend who owns a coffee shop gave me these giant mayonnaise jars, so ask local food places to save some for you! We used materials that we already had, like tissue paper, washi tape, string, and wire. You can paint your own colorful collage bits on newspaper or coffee filters.
There is so much magic (and science!) in the transformation that happens during the indigo dye process. It starts off green and then oxidizes to a deep, gorgeous blue. Learn all the different dying techniques, too! Make sure to get some big mixing bins and rubber gloves for this outside experience.
9. Clare Youngs Inspired Cardboard Animals
We used acrylic paints from the tube for this project, and kids had the choice of mixing a warm or cool color palette (some kids used both). Working on patterns and design is next level for those detail-oriented kids.
This oh-so-fun and silly drawing prompt is fantastic for every age, but older kids can really get into making fun patterns in the background. Create a gallery wall in your room that will really pop with color.
11. The Best Model Magic Slime
This is Ava’s tried-and-true recipe, and it is delicious!! And I mean that in a non-eating way, obviously. It’s just the most incredible tactile experience with the added Model Magic. There’s a video included!
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Did you like this post? Here are some more ideas for teens and tweens:
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