35+ Fun and Easy Summer Camp Art Projects for Kids

Share Button

One of the benefits of summer camp is that kids have the opportunity to explore their creativity through art. If you’re looking for some easy summer camp art projects that kids will enjoy making, here are more than 35 ideas to get you started. From friendship bracelets to handprint keepsakes to painted rocks, you’ll find a fun project for kids of all ages. With a little bit of paint and some imagination, a child can create a masterpiece.

Over 35+ EASY SUMMER CAMP ART PROJECTS that kids will enjoy making, Find art and craft ideas from friendship bracelets to handprint keepsakes to painted rocks, Fun projects for kids of all ages. A child can create a masterpiece with a little bit of paint and some imagination.

Summer Camp Art Projects

Whether you’re looking for a project to keep kids entertained on a rainy day or you want to give them a special souvenir from summer camp, we’ve got you covered. So get out your paintbrushes and start creating!

One of the great things about summer camp art projects is that they can be tailored to any theme. If your camp has a nautical theme, for example, kids can make their own pirate flags or seashell necklaces. Or, if you’re doing a space-themed summer camp, children can decorate planets and stars. There are endless possibilities!

Another benefit of summer camp art projects is that they don’t have to be expensive. In fact, many of the best projects can be done with items you already have around the house. For example, recycled egg cartons can be turned into beautiful flowers, and old magazines can be used to make colorful collages. With a little bit of creativity, you can turn everyday objects into works of art.

So what are you waiting for? Get started on your summer camp art projects today! Your kids will love getting creative, and you’ll love seeing their smiling faces when they’re done.

affiliate links can be found on this blog at no cost to you.

Over 35+ EASY SUMMER CAMP ART PROJECTS that kids will enjoy making, Find art and craft ideas from friendship bracelets to handprint keepsakes to painted rocks, Fun projects for kids of all ages. With a little bit of paint and some imagination, a child can create a masterpiece.

Easy Summer Camp Art Projects

Tile Art

These gorgeous tiles will make beautiful coasters the kids can use at home, or they can combine several tiles together to create a larger composition. Kids will use Sharpies to make their designs on the tiles, so really, this is simple enough for all ages.

Handprint Fish

Create memories and art at the same time. This handprint fish looks so much like Nemo, so the little kids will love it. Parents will enjoy this ocean-themed keepsake that will help them remember their child’s small hands.

Ocean Art for Preschoolers

Painting with pom poms is so much fun! Using a clothespin to pinch the pom pom, let your child make dots or rubbings of paint across the canvas. Painting with clothespins and pom poms lets children practice using different tools to paint, and this exploration is important for dexterity. 

Fireworks Art Project

Celebrate the 4th of July with some glittery fireworks art! This activity is super simple. Just draw fireworks in glue, and sprinkle red, white, and blue glitter over the glue lines to finish the project. If you’re glitter-phobic, use chalk pastels or glow-in-the-dark markers instead.

Jellyfish Craft

These colorful jellyfish made with paper bowls, patterned tissue paper, and pretty ribbon — what could be more fun? Hang them up when you’re done to let their ribbon “tentacles” flutter in the wind.

Paper Plate Fish

Another terrific project for an ocean-themed summer camp, this paper plate fish is super cute and easy to make. We based our design on the character from The Rainbow Fish book, but feel free to adapt the idea using different colors. 

Salt Dough Flower Necklaces

Wearable art will be a hit with the kids! Use this simple salt dough recipe to make pretty flower necklaces (or any other shape the kids would like to make). Don’t forget to make a small hole so you can thread the elastic cord through when you’re done. Add beads to embellish the necklace!

Marbled Pots

Children love creating art they can take home to their parents, like these pretty marbled pots. Give a lesson in gardening and plant some pretty flowers in them before sending the kids home with them.

Sunflower Art

Learn about sunflowers with this cool art project made with real sunflower seeds! It’s canvas-worthy, but you can make it on thick cardstock if you prefer.

You can check out over 20 more Sunflower art and crafts here.

Ice Cube Painting

Talk about cool! Kids of all ages will have a blast creating watercolor art using ice cubes! Putting the colored ice in small popsicle molds makes this activity much simpler… plus, the kids won’t have stained fingers when they’re through.

Ocean Thumbprints

These thumbprint ocean animals will get their creative thinking going. Learn how to turn thumbprints into fish, octopi, sea turtles, crabs, and more.

Invisible Painting

Use the resist technique to make this “invisible painting. You use a white crayon or oil pastel to draw a design or word. You can’t really see it, of course. But when the design is painted over, the design is revealed. One way to make this more fun would be to allow the kids to draw their designs and exchange them for the painting phase. 

Preschool Bee Art

Get the kids buzzing about these cute bees. It’s a creative way to learn about symmetry through “squish” painting.

Over 35+ EASY SUMMER CAMP ART PROJECTS that kids will enjoy making, Find art and craft ideas from friendship bracelets to handprint keepsakes to painted rocks, Fun projects for kids of all ages. With a little bit of paint and some imagination, a child can create a masterpiece.

Fun Art Ideas for Summer Camp

Twig Name Plate from craftsbyamanda.com: It’s the quintessential camping craft! Nothing is simpler or more fun than gathering twigs to make your own name plate. The combination of twigs for the border and pasta for the name is clever—it creates more contrast than just twigs alone.

Bubble Art from thebestideasforkids.com: Use washi tape or masking tape to put down a design and then paint over it by blowing bubbles! The dye in the bubble solution creates colorful prints when they pop all over the canvas or paper.

Melted Crayon Butterflies from barleyandbirch.com: The kids will need help with this one if you’re using the ironing technique, but it’s such fun to see the patterns of color the kids create. If you don’t want to fuss with an iron, you may be able to sprinkle the shavings on and put them outside on a hot, sunny day, so long as it’s not windy.

Warhol Popsicles from littlebinsforlittlehands.com: Pop art is a blast to make, and this is summer-themed. You’ll make paper popsicles out of bright colors and patterns, putting them on a Warhol-style pop art background. 

Fun Art Projects for Summer Camp

Chalk Pastel Jellyfish Art from projectswithkids.com: Another piece of cute jellyfish art, the chalk pastel creatures look so bright and vivid against the black background. The bubbles are a nice touch.

Surfboard Scrape Paintings from barleyandbirch.com: Put on your Beach Boys playlist and make these scrape paintings in the shape of surfboards. It’ll encourage you to go on your own Surfin’ Safari!

Patriotic Painted Rocks from craftsbyamanda.com: Celebrate the red, white, and blue with these fun patriotic painted rocks. Stars, stripes, and fireworks are perfect for the 4th of July.

Paper Mache Food on a Stick from barleyandbirch.com: Nothing says summer like food on a stick. Instead of real food, you’ll be making your favorite foods out of paper mache. From corn dogs to cotton candy, kids will use their creative thinking skills to make their favorite fair and festival foods.

Fun and Easy Summer Camp Art Projects for Kids

Water Pistol Painting from messylittlemonster.com: Water pistols are made for summer, but this time you won’t be getting each other wet. Instead, you’ll fill those pistols with watered-down paint, spraying a canvas with bright and bold colors. Every piece of art will look different!

Firefly Art Project from thecrafttrain.com: If you’re up for a little more of a craft challenge, try this firefly art that really lights up. Can you believe the canvas is a simple cereal box?

Camping Lantern from thecrazyoutdoormama.com: You can’t go to camp without making a lantern. Not only is this project fun, but it teaches kids to recycle. You’ll need a plastic canister, tissue paper, construction paper, and other bits and bobs to make a DIY lantern. Add a battery-powered candle, and you’ve got a cool night light. 

Leaf Painting from thebestideasforkids.com: Leaf painting is anything but ordinary. Here, you’ll learn several different techniques for leaf paintings, including leaf prints, leaf silhouettes, and painting directly on the leaves. 

Art Activities for Summer Camp

Over 35+ EASY SUMMER CAMP ART PROJECTS that kids will enjoy making, Find art and craft ideas from friendship bracelets to handprint keepsakes to painted rocks, Fun projects for kids of all ages. With a little bit of paint and some imagination, a child can create a masterpiece.

Summer Sunset Art from taminglittlemonsters.com: Use strips of tissue paper in pink, orange, and red to create a beautiful sunset scene. Either draw on some palm trees or use black construction paper to make them look like they’re in silhouette.

Puffy Paper Bag Ice Cream from barleyandbirch.com: These puffy ice creams will make such cool decorations for the kids’ rooms when they take them home. We love how different materials are used to make the sprinkles. The printable template makes this craft super simple for all ages.

Ice Cream Painted Rocks from projectswithkids.com: Using paint and paint pens, you can make quick work of turning rocks into cute little kawaii-style ice creams. 

Art and Craft Summer Camp

Paper Mosaic Sunset Boat Scene from thecrafttrain.com: How gorgeous are these paper mosaics? The water is a stunning combination of light blue and dark blue paper pieces, while the birds and boat are silhouettes made with the darker blue shade. While both the watercolor and acrylic versions are beautiful, we like the bold colors of the acrylic one the best!

Ladybug Painted Rocks from simpleeverydaymom.com: Kids can make these ladybug rocks to serve as pet rocks or decorations for their garden.

Scrape Painted Jellyfish Windsocks from kidscraftroom.com: They look like the friendliest jellyfish ever! The fun party streamers will look so pretty blowing in the wind.

Campfire Art Project from simpleeverydaymom.com: Bonfires are one of the best things about summer. Make this campfire craft in honor of all the campfires you’ll enjoy. All you need is paper, scissors, glue, and paint, so it’s pretty easy for all ages, especially using the template.

Rainbow Bracelet from boxofideas.com: Friendship bracelets are a summer camp classic. Using a hook to anchor the bracelet is a brilliant idea!

Summer Camp Art and Craft Ideas

Over 35+ EASY SUMMER CAMP ART PROJECTS that kids will enjoy making, Find art and craft ideas from friendship bracelets to handprint keepsakes to painted rocks, Fun projects for kids of all ages. A child can create a masterpiece with a little bit of paint and some imagination.

Nature Collages from kidminds.org: Gather items from nature to make nature collages. Encourage kids to work on symmetry in their designs and to notice the symmetry in nature, too. 

Watercolor Painted Seashells from messforless.net: If you’re in a beachy area, gather some seashells for this lovely watercolor project. Once the shells are painted, kids can use them to create art or a necklace to wear.

Shake Painting Snails from kidscraftroom.com: Shake-painted rocks are combined with cardboard and googly eyes to make the cutest craft snails you’ve ever seen.

Tie Dye Beach Towels from handmadecharlotte.com: Learn how to tie dye three different ways to make beautiful tie-dyed beach towels, banners, and shirts. The beach towels are a fabulous idea since so many families will be headed there during the summer. 

Summer Activities for Kids

If you found inspiration in this post on summer camp art projects, pin it to come back to it later!

What are some of your favorite summer camp art projects? We’d love to hear about them in the comments! And be sure to check out our other summer camp resources for more great ideas.

Summer Camp Themes

100+ Best Summer Camp at Home Ideas and Activities

Over 35+ EASY SUMMER CAMP ART PROJECTS that kids will enjoy making, Find art and craft ideas from friendship bracelets to handprint keepsakes to painted rocks, Fun projects for kids of all ages. A child can create a masterpiece with a little bit of paint and some imagination.