One thing my kids always want to do during the summer is some type of craft. You name it, they love it and want to do it! We have tried several different ways of doing this. We have spread them out throughout the summer. We have had one or two dedicated “craft days”. We (I lazily admit) have even gone a whole summer without craft because I just couldn’t get it together!

I haven’t decided how I’m going to do it this summer yet. I’m either going to spread them out throughout the summer or pick a week that has nothing else scheduled and proclaim that it is our very own “Summer Craft Camp”. One thing we have started doing is choosing which crafts we want to do . Here are some of our tried and true favorites and a few new ones we are considering.

Sidewalk chalk is a given. It’s easy, cheap, not too messy and works for kids of all ages. It’s usually something that we do in the mornings before it gets too hot out there. It can also make for great photo opportunities as my fabulous friend Ronda showed me!

My kids also love to make t-shirts and pillow cases. This requires a small initial investment as many crafts do. But once you buy the fabric markers they will take you through several projects. I pick up a $3 t-shirt at Hobby Lobby for each child and let them go to town. The same holds true with pillow cases. I let them paint and draw until their hearts content and they are thrilled. It will keep them busy for a couple of hours if I am lucky. Just don’t forget to put a piece of cardboard inside the t-shirt or pillow case as the marker will bleed through.

Oriental Trading is always a go to resource for these crafty summers. We just got their catalog in the mail this week and my daughter has already made quite an extensive wish list. She is her mother’s daughter! A wish list from a craft catalog. That is totally something I would do.

Here are a few of the things she wants to get to make this summer:

I’m not sure what she pictures making with this. However I remember getting a large dry erase board as a Christmas gift from Santa when I was in the second grade. That was the gift that kept on giving! I took it to college with me and hung it in my apartment. My roommates and I would leave notes, make grocery lists and even keep score when we played quarters cards. I’m sure that’s exactly what Santa had in mind when he had his elves make that for me!

These lanterns would be pretty cute. I’m trying to decide if the lights are in the lanterns already. I guess I need to go and read the fine print. I can see them wrapped around her headboard all Pottery Barn like.

These topiary trees are pretty cool. They are inexpensive enough that I wouldn’t mind buying them and I am sure I have enough stuff on hand for the kids to decorate them. This would keep them busy all afternoon!

I really like this water bottle. It is a craft that my son would like as well and won’t be seen as too “girly” for him to do. That line is a fine one to walk the older he gets!

This clock is a great idea. I haven’t priced clock parts at the craft store, but I am sure it would be easy to put together your own version of this. What are the chances that the kids will keep better track of time if they are doing so on a clock they made themselves?

So, did I give you any good ideas? What crafts does your family like to do? What do your kids beg to make that you really hate to do? Will you give in this summer? Let’s hear it ladies!