Arts and crafts are an essential element of summer camp. They inspire creativity and are just plain fun. Happy Camper Live has virtual arts and crafts offerings available on demand that campers are sure to love. 

Let’s explore 10 easy DIY summer camp crafts for kids. 

 

Pine Cone Bird Feeders

Pine cone bird feeders are an easy craft to make when you’re at summer camp. Head out for a nature walk and pick up a large pine cone. Tie a string to the pinecone so you can hang it up. Cover the pine cone with peanut butter and roll it in bird seed. Then hang it in a good spot where you can watch the birds enjoy a snack.

 

Friendship Bracelets

Friendship bracelets are a summer camp classic! You can make them in your favorite colors and patterns. Check out the zigzag pattern, the chevron, or google some other ones. Bling up your bracelet by adding beads. 

 

Wind Chimes

Make a beautiful wind chime with a paper cup, some string, and beads. Attach string to the bottom side of the paper cup so it will be hanging upside down. Then string up beads onto different strings about three to four inches each. Tie those to the lip of the upside down cup. Put the strings close enough that they will make noise when the wind blows them together. Hang up and enjoy!

 

Tie Dye Shirts

Tie dye is a fun craft that allows you to show off your art masterpiece over and over again. To make a tie dye shirt, you’ll need a white shirt, rubber bands, and the dye. First, cover your work area with newspaper, a disposable table cloth, or other covering you don’t mind getting dirty. Mix your dyes. Then fold your shirt and use the rubber bands around it to secure it in place and help create the patterns. Finally, add your dye. Once you have color everywhere you have to let it sit up to 24 hours. The longer you can let the fabric sit, the easier it will be to wash out loose dye from the fabric. Rinse, wash, and wear your new shirt!

 

Leaf Printing

Every leaf is different. Pick up some different size leaves from around your neighborhood or summer camp, and apply paint to the side of the leaf with veins. Once covered in paint, turn it over onto a paper, pressing the leaf paint pattern onto the paper. Create fun artwork with different types of leaf prints.

 

Painted Pasta Necklaces

Making jewelry is a camp essential. Grab some rigatoni pasta and paint it the colors of your choosing. Once the paint dries, string them into a pattern you like and create a necklace.

 

Kites

Create your design on an 8.5 x 11” piece of paper. Use a drinking straw or wooden skewer to make the kite frame. You will need one for vertical and one horizontal. They should form a t when crossed. Tape them to the paper. Tape some string to the end and have fun throwing the kite around the yard to catch some wind!

 

Homemade Kaleidoscope

A homemade kaleidoscope can be fun to play with in the sun. You will need an empty paper towel roll, some beads, and plastic. Cut a circle of plastic and glue it to one end of the paper towel holder. Then drop your beads into the tube and almost cover the plastic. Then cut another plastic circle and push it all the way to the bottom of the tube on the inside to create a seal for the beads. You may need to push it down the tube with a pencil. Decorate the outside of the paper towel holder and have fun rotating the kaleidoscope as you look through it into the sun.

 

Painting Rocks

Paint some rocks and leave them for others to find. You can paint fun animals, motivational words, or even floral motifs. Have fun and be creative! 

 

Slime

Kids love playing with slime, so why not make your own. Pour 1 cup of white glue into a mixing bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Mix the contents of the bowl thoroughly. Add more or less glue depending on your desired consistency. Then you can add glitter and food coloring to make it unique.