by:  Sheridan Watkins

Summer is a great time to explore new and fun art projects and DIY crafts together that will make beautiful memories. Make sure you take pictures, so you’ll have them for years to come. Let’s explore some fun ideas that include everyone’s interests.

Outside Crafts

Let nature be your muse with these outdoor craft projects:

1. Nature Wind Chimes: Gather twigs, pinecones, leaves and anything else. String them together with colorful beads or bells to create beautiful wind chimes for your garden. You can even make it a competition for whose chime has the loveliest or loudest sound when the wind blows. 
2. Rock Painting: Collect smooth rocks and use acrylic paints to turn them into adorable creatures, designs or inspirational quotes. You can keep them to decorate your house or even hide them around your neighborhood for others to find and enjoy!
3. Sun Prints: Place objects like leaves, flowers or small toys or objects on light-sensitive paper and expose them to sunlight. Wait about 15 minutes and watch as the sun creates stunning silhouettes. You can look up this project on YouTube if you need guidance. This is a great way to show how much we should appreciate and work with the natural elements. 

Non-Messy Crafts

For those days when you want to get crafty without the cleanup, I suggest searching online for some examples and trying these projects:

1. Origami Animals: Fold colorful paper into intricate origami animals like cranes, frogs or butterflies. The best part about this craft is it can be easy or complex, so there are levels to challenge everyone.
2. Decorative Paper Lanterns: Use colored paper, scissors and small amounts of glue to create cool paper lanterns that you can hang indoors or in your backyard. Experiment with different shapes and sizes, and buy some lightweight string lights to give them a glowing effect at night. As it transitions to evening, here’s another moment for you to bond as a family and appreciate your artwork together.  
3. No-Sew Fabric Crafts: Textiles are so versatile, and you can make so many things with them! Cut and knot fabric strips to make fun accessories like headbands, bracelets or tote bags. You can also create 3D artwork to hang up by cutting out different shapes or designs.

Food Crafts

Combine culinary skills and art with these edible creations that are as fun to make as they are to eat:

1. Fruit Kabobs: Thread colorful fruits like strawberries, pineapple, grapes and melon onto skewers to make tasty and visually appealing fruit kabobs. You can get creative with different arrangements while staying healthy!
2. Frozen Yogurt Bark: Using the same theme of healthy food crafts, spread yogurt onto a baking sheet, then top it with fruit, nuts, and granola. Freeze it until it’s solid, then break it into pieces for a refreshing and customizable snack.
3. Decorated Cookies: We all deserve a little treat! A popular food craft is baking cookies in fun shapes like stars, hearts or animals. You can decorate them with icing, sprinkles and edible glitter for a sweet and artistic treat.

Projects That Instill Life Skills

Use these hands-on projects to teach valuable life skills that can inspire everyone to dream big:

1. Container Gardening: Start a small herb or vegetable garden in pots or containers on your patio or balcony. Each family member can choose and care for his or her own plant, and this helps the little ones learn about responsibility and patience along the way. Over time, you can use what you grow in your meals or even create another food craft activity! 
2. Basic Home Repairs: Involve the whole family in simple home improvement projects like painting a room, assembling furniture or fixing minor plumbing issues. It’s a great way to teach practical skills and foster teamwork.
3. DIY Birdhouses: Build birdhouses together using simple materials like wood, nails and paint. Hang them in your backyard to attract and care for birds while learning about wildlife conservation. 

Whether you’re exploring the great outdoors, getting crafty indoors or whipping up delicious treats in the kitchen, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So, gather your supplies, get creative and let the crafting adventures begin!