Frozen Chalk Cubes

Growing a jeweled rose makes her own chalk / ice combo using corn starch, baking soda, water and food coloring.  It melts really pretty and kids will really enjoy it on hot summer days.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/05/play-recipe-ice-chalk.html

 

Learn play imagine freezes liquid water colors and then melts two to explore color theory.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.learnplayimagine.com/2013/07/fun-in-sun-watercolor-ice-art.html

Reading confetti uses molds to make star shapes.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.readingconfetti.com/2013/05/ice-chalk.html

Typically simple draws fishing scenes.

Get the instructions here:
http://typicallysimple.com/summer-kids-craft-ice-chalk/

Ruffled Flip Flops

Angela yosten shares a fun and functional craft for the summer, embellishing flip flops with strips of fabric.  She also shows how to make a hair bow too and sells these on her etsy site. 

Good for ages 7 and up. 

Get the instructions here:
http://blog.angelayosten.com/2010/07/my-first-pattern.html

DIY Band-Aids

Twigg studios makes regular plastic band aids more colorful and pretty by gluing on flower fabric to the tops.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.twiggstudios.com/2012/04/diy-fabric-plasters.html

The gunny sack uses washi tape for her bandaids.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.thegunnysack.com/2012/05/washi-tape-bandages-tutorial-pinspired.html

The pink couch uses textured fabric for her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://thepinkcouch.blogspot.com/2010/11/cute-easy-fabric-bandaids.html

Bug Night Lights

Crafts for all seasons has a great way for kids to decorate and light up your yard at night making outdoor firefly light using a clear plastic bottle, pipe cleaners, construction paper and a glow stick.  Place them on strings and watch them fly around.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.crafts-for-all-seasons.com/pop-bottle-craft.html

Ivillage uses led lights, plastic eggs and pipe cleaners to make their little light bugs.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.ivillage.com/easter-crafts-easter-egg-fireflies/6-b-336801 

Crafts unleashed uses tea lights to light up her firefly.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.craftsunleashed.com/kids-stuff/firefly-kids-craft/

Face Paper Fans

Mr. printables has the cutest paper fan templates.  Each fan has a face and personality.  All you need is a colored printer and clothes pin to make them.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the template here:
http://www.mrprintables.com/summer-crafts-paper-fan.html

Bubble Rainbows

Housing a forest has a nifty way to create rainbows out of bubbles using a sock, food coloring, a plastic water bottle and bubble solution.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.housingaforest.com/rainbow-bubble-snakes/

Make Your Own Photo Box

Keep it simple crafts creates a photo box lining the box with family pictures.  A great idea for Dad this Father's Day. 

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/2009/12/photo-box.html