Summer Crafts for Kids

As those long “dog days” of summer stretch out before us, are you wondering what to do with the kids? Here are three ideas for gathering the kids together and creating some fun summer paper crafts.

A Yummy Mobile

To create this mobile I cut three ice cream cones and three popsicles using my Cricut Expression and the Simply Charmed cartridge. I then stamped the faces using Peachy Keen Stamps Wide Eyed Kids faces (peachykeenstamps.com).

Tip: If you do not have a Cricut Expression, you easily substitute store-bought embellishments.

Next, I punched a small hole in each shape.

Using my Cricut Expression, I cut a scalloped circle.

Tip: If you do not have a Cricut Expression you easily cut a large circle by tracing a plate.

Lastly, using needle and Sulky Blendables (sulky.com) thread I tied each shape onto the scalloped circle. I made sure to vary the lengths of the Sulky thread to allow the shapes to hang at different heights.

Under-the-Sea Finger Puppets

To make these sweet little finger puppets, I first started by cutting out five under-the-sea creatures using my Cricut Expression and the Create a Critter cartridge.

Next, I cut strips of paper at ½” by 2”. I scored each strip at ½” on either side.

Lastly, I adhered each strip to the back of each shape to create a place for the child to slip in a finger.

Dinosaur Pencil/Marker Holder

To make this cute pencil or marker holder you will need to start with an empty Crystal Light container.

I cut a strip of patterned paper to cover it. Measure your container so you will get the proper dimensions for your container. My dimensions were 7” by 9” leaving ½” on the top and bottom of my rectangle for overhang.

Next, I scored the top and bottom of my rectangle in at ½” and snipped up to that score line (as shown) creating a wide fringe. This allowed me to bend the paper over the lip and at the bottom of the container to glue it down.

I adhered the paper to my container and glued the seam.

Next, I folded the paper over the lip of the container and glued it down.

Then, I folded the paper and glued it to the bottom of the container.

Lastly, I added some ribbon around the top of the container and some coordinating die cuts. I cut these shapes using my Cricut Expression and the Create a Critter Cartridge.

These simple summer scrapbook projects are a great way to have fun with your kids, and let them exercise their creativity.

Products used:

• Cricut Expressions
• Provo Craft Design Studio
• Provo Craft Cricut 12 x 12 cutting mat
• Provo Craft Cricut Spatula Tool
• Tombow Mono Gel Pen White
• American Crafts - Pebbles - Pearlescent Chalk Set - 10 Piece – Pastels
• QuicKutz Quick Stick Quicker Picker Poker Upper
• Reminisce Patterned Paper

Create fun summer scrapbook projects with summer scrapbook supplies from Scrapjazz.com's huge theme store.