What better way to embrace the slower days of summer than the simple pleasure of making something with your hands? Whether you’re looking for a mindful break from screen time, an excuse to gather with friends for an al fresco craft night, or just a way to keep cool and busy indoors, summer crafts are the answer. No—this doesn’t mean popsicle sticks and puffy paint (though we support a nostalgic throwback).
The summer crafts below are elevated, stylish, and worth rolling up your sleeves for. Try completing them all before the season ends.
Related: 6 Crafting Trends That Will Be Everywhere in 2025, According to Michaels
Découpage Trinket Trays
Transform collected seashells into one-of-a-kind trinket dishes with this inexpensive and easy craft. Pull apart printed paper napkins, separating each ply. Tear out pieces in the size and shape of your shells, then adhere using découpage glue. Gentle press out any air bubbles, trim the excess, and add a sealing top coat. Use to hold odds and ends or decorate a coastal-themed space.
Summer-Ready Scrunchies
Craft with purpose by creating something you’ll use all season long—and then some. Use leftover fabric scraps to sew your own scrunchies. They’ll come in handy when tying your hair back during heatwaves or can be given as gifts (especially when you use fun, summery prints).
Get the Scrunchie How-To
Create Seashell Jewelry
Go full mermaidcore this summer and create unique accessories with your seashore finds. Invest in a craft drill to safely insert holes for string or chains without damaging the shells.
Related: How to Drill a Shell for Jewelry-Making
Pressed-Flower Bar Soap
Anusha Rajeswaran
Flower pressing and preserving is a summertime favorite. This season, put a spin on the pastime with this luxe DIY project. An excellent use of your garden’s blooms, you can customize these pressed-flower soap bars to your heart’s content.
Get the Pressed-Flower Bar Soap How-To
Garden Party Tea Lights
wcjohnston / Getty Images
Add a romantic glow to your summer evenings by lighting al fresco dinners with these DIY candles. When placed on a garden-party table, they’ll look like something out of a Jane Austen novel. (And we love how they can be crafted with recycled finds.)
Simply thrift teacups and saucers, and melt leftover wax from nearly finished candles to pour inside. Add and trim the wick, and consider mixing in a pest-repelling essential oil.
Summer Entertaining Trays
You can preserve the fully bloomed beauty of flowers through the power of resin. Use the substance to craft trays and coasters (featuring your favorite flowers, of course) that are ideal for summer entertaining.
Get the Preserving Flowers How-To
Shell Place Cards
Mai Fotography
Elevate your next summer gathering with a thoughtful seating chart, complete with place cards. Add some seasonal charm (and blow guests away with personalization) by writing names on collected seashells in a metallic permanent paint marker.
Flower Crowns
Sacia Matthews
Themed parties are an ever-expanding entertaining trend. For a whimsical touch, level up your next garden party with handcrafted flower crowns. This easy DIY is also great as a group activity.
Get the Flower Crown How-To
Carnation Cones
For a casual backyard gathering, adorn tables with this fun centerpiece idea. Print out this ice cream cone template on heavyweight paper, cut it out, and fold according to the printed lines. Fasten with tape and add fluffy carnation blooms to mimic the summertime dessert.
Get the Carnation Cone Clip-Art
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