Summer is the perfect time for teens to dive into creative projects that are both fun and rewarding. Whether it’s designing jewelry, painting, or making unique home decor, crafting is a great way to pass the time while learning new skills. Plus, many of these DIY projects can double as gifts for friends and family or even be sold as a small side hustle.
From trendy fashion crafts to nature-inspired decor, this list includes 18 amazing summer crafts that will make free time exciting. Some require only simple household supplies, while others can be enhanced with highly rated Amazon craft kits. So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced DIY enthusiast, there’s something here for everyone. Let’s explore these creative ideas!
1. DIY Friendship Bracelets – Trendy and Fun
source@floramimosabracelets
Friendship bracelets never go out of style, and making them is a fun way to create unique accessories while strengthening bonds with friends. With just a few colorful embroidery floss strands, teens can weave beautiful, stackable bracelets using simple knotting techniques. There are endless patterns to experiment with, from classic chevrons to intricate zigzags. These bracelets make for perfect summer gifts and can be customized with beads or charms for a personal touch. For an easy start, a friendship bracelet-making kit from Amazon provides all the necessary materials in one set.
2. Tie-Dye T-Shirts – A Classic Summer Staple
source@jhudson_tiedye
Tie-dyeing is a classic summer activity that allows teens to transform plain white shirts into vibrant masterpieces. Whether they prefer bold spiral designs or pastel ombré effects, tie-dyeing lets them express their creativity with different color combinations. This project is best done outdoors to avoid mess, and it’s a fantastic way to revamp old clothing instead of throwing it away. A tie-dye kit with pre-measured dye bottles ensures easy and mess-free crafting, making the process even more enjoyable.
3. Painted Seashells – Beach-Inspired Decor
source@creativity_for_days
For those who love the beach, painting seashells is a creative way to bring a coastal vibe into their space. Teens can collect shells from their summer trips and use acrylic paints, metallic markers, or even glitter to give them a personalized touch. These painted shells can be turned into jewelry, magnets, or even framed art pieces. To make the detailing easier, a set of acrylic paint pens is perfect for fine-line work and intricate designs.
4. DIY Resin Keychains – Aesthetic & Personalized
source@hers_escape
Resin crafts are incredibly trendy, and making custom keychains is an exciting way for teens to explore this medium. By mixing clear resin with glitter, dried flowers, or small charms, they can create beautiful and unique keychains for themselves or as gifts. Learning how to properly mix and pour resin is part of the fun, and with the right tools, the possibilities are endless. A resin keychain-making kit provides all the essentials, making it easier to get started.
5. Upcycled Denim Accessories – Fashion with a Purpose
source@achuuu_culture
Instead of throwing away old jeans, why not upcycle them into stylish new accessories? Teens can turn worn-out denim into tote bags, scrunchies, or custom patches for jackets. Adding embroidery, fabric paint, or iron-on patches can make these creations even more unique. This project encourages sustainable fashion and offers a fantastic way to personalize everyday items. A fabric painting kit can help add a creative flair to these upcycled designs.
6. Pressed Flower Art – Nature-Inspired Beauty
source@flowerpressstudio_
Nature lovers will enjoy making pressed flower art, a timeless craft that turns flowers and leaves into beautiful decorations. Whether framed as wall art, used in bookmarks, or sealed in resin phone cases, pressed flowers create a delicate and elegant aesthetic. The key is to dry and press the flowers correctly to preserve their colors. A flower press kit ensures that flowers stay vibrant and flat, making them easy to use for different DIY projects.
7. DIY Candle Making – Relaxing & Scented Creations
source@novacandlecompany
Creating homemade candles is both fun and practical, especially for teens who love a cozy, scented space. They can experiment with different fragrances, colors, and molds to design candles that reflect their personality. This craft not only results in a beautiful product but also teaches patience and precision. A candle-making kit with soy wax, fragrance oils, and wicks is a great starter set for anyone interested in making their own candles.
8. Boho Wall Hangings – Cozy Room Decor
source@_aparnabhat
Aesthetic room decor is always a hit, and making boho-style wall hangings is a great way for teens to enhance their space. Using macramé techniques, they can create intricate woven patterns or simple yarn designs. Adding wooden beads, feathers, or fairy lights can elevate the look even more. For those new to macramé, a DIY macramé kit provides all the necessary cords and instructions.
9. DIY Bath Bombs – Spa Day at Home
source@amorbathbombs
Teens who love self-care will enjoy making their own bath bombs, customized with colors, scents, and essential oils. This project allows them to mix natural ingredients like baking soda and citric acid to create fizzy, relaxing bath treats. They can also add dried flowers or glitter for an extra touch of luxury. A bath bomb-making kit simplifies the process, making it a great weekend craft.
10. Personalized Phone Cases – Custom & Unique
source@themessycornerr
Instead of using a generic phone case, why not create a personalized one? Teens can use paints, stickers, or even resin to customize clear cases, adding a personal touch to their favorite accessory. This is a fun way to showcase creativity and make their phone truly one-of-a-kind. A DIY phone case kit offers blank cases and design tools for endless customization.
11. Embroidered Tote Bags – Artsy and Functional
source@ahambhumika
Embroidery is a rewarding craft that allows teens to stitch creative designs onto plain canvas tote bags. They can personalize their bags with floral patterns, initials, or abstract art, making them stylish and reusable. This project is not only fun but also promotes sustainability by reducing the need for plastic bags. A beginner embroidery kit helps with easy-to-follow patterns and thread selection.
12. DIY Clay Jewelry – Trendy and Handmade
source@clay_treasures
Polymer clay jewelry is a huge trend, and making custom earrings, rings, and charms is a fun way for teens to explore this craft. They can mix different colors, create marbled patterns, and shape the clay into trendy designs. Once baked, these pieces become durable accessories that can be worn daily. A polymer clay jewelry kit includes the necessary tools and colors for easy crafting.
13. Scrapbooking – Capture Summer Memories
source@karennichole
Summer is filled with unforgettable moments, and what better way to cherish them than by creating a scrapbook? Teens can gather photos, travel tickets, pressed flowers, and handwritten notes to compile a creative memory book. Adding decorative elements like stickers, washi tape, and calligraphy makes each page a unique masterpiece. Scrapbooking is not only a fun craft but also a great way to document personal experiences. A scrapbooking starter kit provides all the essentials, including patterned paper, embellishments, and adhesive materials.
14. DIY Dreamcatchers – Beautiful and Symbolic
source@handmade_feeds_
Dreamcatchers have a magical and bohemian feel, making them a perfect addition to any teen’s bedroom decor. Creating a DIY dreamcatcher involves wrapping a metal or wooden hoop with yarn or twine, then weaving a web-like pattern in the center. Beads, feathers, and small charms can be added for an extra touch of personalization. This craft allows for endless creativity, as different color schemes and materials can be used to match any aesthetic. For those who want a hassle-free start, a dreamcatcher-making kit provides pre-cut materials and step-by-step instructions.
15. Handmade Stickers – Fun & Customizable
source@want.stickers
Stickers are a fantastic way to personalize notebooks, phone cases, laptops, and water bottles. With a little creativity, teens can design and print their own stickers using markers, watercolor, or digital drawing apps. Once the designs are finalized, they can be printed on sticker paper and cut out by hand or using a sticker-cutting machine. This craft is perfect for those who love doodling or want to create their own planner and journaling accessories. A sticker-making kit with adhesive paper and cutting tools can make the process even easier.
16. DIY Photo Frames – Cute & Personalized
source@shasnashaz
Photo frames are a great way to showcase favorite pictures, and making custom frames adds a personal touch. Teens can start with plain wooden or cardboard frames and decorate them using paint, glitter, beads, or fabric. Some may even want to try mosaic-style frames using small pieces of colored glass or tiles. These DIY frames make for beautiful room decor or heartfelt gifts for friends and family. A decorative photo frame kit includes blank frames and embellishments to spark creativity.
17. Homemade Lip Balm – Natural & Nourishing
source@stephaniessoapery
Beauty lovers will enjoy crafting their own lip balms with all-natural ingredients like beeswax, coconut oil, and essential oils. This DIY project allows teens to experiment with different flavors such as vanilla, peppermint, or citrus while ensuring their lip balm is free from harmful chemicals. The process is simple—just melt, mix, pour, and let it set! These lip balms can be stored in cute tins or tubes, making them perfect for personal use or gifting. A lip balm-making kit contains all the necessary ingredients and containers, making it easy to get started.
18. DIY Painted Plant Pots – Vibrant & Fun
source@ranahakiim
For teens who love plants, painting plant pots is a great way to add personality to their greenery. They can take plain terracotta pots and turn them into eye-catching decor with bright acrylic paints, stencils, or even mosaic designs. Whether they prefer minimalist patterns or bold, colorful art, this craft allows for total creative freedom. Plus, painted pots make excellent gifts or can be used to create a charming indoor garden. A plant pot painting kit with different-sized pots and paint supplies is a great option for those who want to explore this craft.
