The Ultimate Summer Bucket List: Crafty Edition

Summer is all about more. More time for the pool. More sticky popsicle treats. More sun and sand, less studying and snoozing alarms. More time to let your creativity run wild. Consider this the craft-lover’s guide to the ultimate summer of imagination, family fun and memory-making.

And it doesn’t have to stop here! What would you add to the list?

1. Lake-Side Cross Stitch ­— Make your summer escape to the lake for a long weekend of splashing and crafting. Find a slice of shade and get inspired with Mary Engelbreit’s collection of cross stitch kits. 

2. Picnic & Paint by Number — Gather the girls for an afternoon of wine and paint-by-numbers. From tasting room tables to picnic plaid to the back porch, it’s the perfect excuse to catch up and try your hand at something new. Charcuterie boards not included. 😉

3. Build a Birdhouse —Birdhouses can bring all the birds to your yard! Not only does birdhouse decorating make a great activity for the kiddos, but birdwatching does too.

4. Felt Your Favorite Animal — Yes, we said felt! This wool blend material is perfect for a variety of fun craft projects, including ornaments and décor. Find the perfect color palette, then check out these fun patterns.

5. Make Your Own Garden Garland — No summer gathering is complete without a festive garland. Enlist the kids to help color in Mary’s Garden Garland Kit to hang up all summer or for a particularly festive event.

6. Customize Your Beach Towel — Why settle for ordinary when you can have extraordinary? This summer, we were inspired to take our beach towel up a notch with this fun crochet edge towel craft. Think of all the fun ways you can make your beach towel your own!

7. Turn Your Towel Into a Tote — Tired of the same old beach bag? Learn how to turn your beach towel into the perfect sand-proof tote.

8. Create an Indoor Flower Garden — This DIY crepe paper flower craft has our creative wheels turning for sure. Plumeria, rose, daisy — oh my! Just think of all the floral varieties you could create in your very own paper

9. Make a Bored Jar — Can’t agree on what to do? Let the bored jar decide! Enlist the kids to decorate a jar, shoebox or coffee tin. Then start filling it up with all kinds of summer activities written on paper or popsicle sticks. From pillow forts to sidewalk chalk to bike riding, the possibilities are endless!

10. Beat the Heat with an Elevated Paper Fan — The secret to a superior paper fan? Cardstock. Follow along this DIY folding paper fans tutorial to see how to turn pretty cardstock patterns into effective fans perfect for tucking into your purse. 

What number are you and your family crossing off first? Share your favorite summer activities with us below!