🎨 Rainy Day Summer Crafts for Kids (That Adults Will Enjoy Too)
When summer storms roll in and outdoor plans get canceled, don’t worry—you’re not stuck with screens and cabin fever. These rainy day summer crafts are creative, calming, and most importantly, fun for kids and adults. Perfect for family bonding or a solo creative break, these projects turn gray skies into cozy creative days. ☔✂️🖌️
1. DIY Nature Collages 🍃
Bring a little nature indoors! Collect leaves, petals, and twigs during your next sunny stroll. On a rainy day, glue them onto cardstock or canvas to create beautiful natural art.
Adult twist: Use pressed flowers or arrange pieces into mandalas for a more intricate design.
2. Painted Rock Families 🪨
Grab some smooth stones and acrylic paints. Create characters, animals, or even a little rock village. Use them for storytelling, paperweights, or garden décor.
Bonus: Add googly eyes or use paint pens for fine detail work.
3. Salt Dough Handprint Keepsakes 👣
Mix 1 cup flour, ½ cup salt, and ½ cup water. Shape it, press in handprints, and bake at 250°F for 1–2 hours. Paint once dry!
Parents love these as memory makers and gifts for grandparents.
4. Tissue Paper Stained Glass Art 🌈
Cut out shapes (like butterflies or suns) from black cardstock and fill the space with overlapping tissue paper pieces. Hang on windows for instant cheer.
Tip: Laminate or cover with clear contact paper for durability.
5. Cardboard Tube Creatures 🐛
Don’t toss those toilet rolls! Transform them into caterpillars, bunnies, or superheroes with markers, paper scraps, and glue.
Add a challenge: Create a whole family of creatures or act out a play with them!
6. Recycled Magazine Collage Faces 😄
Cut eyes, lips, and accessories from old magazines and mix them into silly (or spooky!) portraits on paper. It’s hilarious and a great way to spark creativity.
Art twist: Try mixing collage with watercolor backgrounds.
7. Make Your Own Board Game 🎲
Create a family board game with poster board, markers, and your own rules. Use game pieces from old sets or make your own from clay.
Interactive fun: Choose a theme like space, jungle, or magical creatures.
8. Rain Painting with Watercolors 💧
Color a piece of paper with washable markers or watercolors, then lightly mist it with water or take it outside in light rain for a dreamy, blurred effect.
A fun science-meets-art moment that kids love to experiment with!
9. Mini Canvas Art Stations 🖼️
Pick up a pack of mini canvases and let everyone create their own masterpiece. Use acrylics, glitter glue, or even puffy paint for texture.
Host a gallery night and display everyone’s creations with snacks and music!
10. DIY Storybooks 📚
Fold paper and staple to create blank “books.” Let kids write and illustrate their own summer adventures or fantasy tales. Parents can join in too—it’s therapeutic and inspiring.
Keep them forever—these are memory gold.
🎁 Recommended Crafting Favorites:
Crayola Washable Kids Paint Set – Easy clean-up, vibrant colors, kid-safe fun.
Melissa & Doug Decorate-Your-Own Wooden Craft Kits – Perfect for guided, screen-free creativity.
