15 Easy Toddler Crafts for Summer Fun
By Speech Blubs Team•Feb 20, 2026
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why Crafting is a Secret Weapon for Speech Development
- 1. Sensory Ice Painting
- 2. Paper Plate Suncatchers
- 3. Rock Magnet Friends
- 4. Sponge Sailboats
- 5. The "Letter S" Strawberry
- 6. Squirt Gun Masterpieces
- 7. Cotton Ball Ice Cream Cones
- 8. DIY Summer Wind Chimes
- 9. Paper Plate Jellyfish
- 10. Bubble Painting
- 11. Nature Collage Sticky Board
- 12. Watermelon Painted Rocks
- 13. Fingerprint Ants on a Picnic
- 14. DIY Play Dough Sand
- 15. Paper Boat Races in a Bin
- Making the Most of "Smart Screen Time"
- Choosing the Right Plan for Your Family
- Summary of Key Takeaways
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction
Does the arrival of summer leave you feeling a mix of excitement and mild panic? We’ve all been there. The sun is shining, the days are long, and suddenly you are responsible for entertaining a tiny human who has more energy than a solar flare. While we love the extra family time, keeping a toddler engaged without relying on passive cartoons for hours on end can be a challenge. That is why we are big believers in the power of creative play. At Speech Blubs, our mission is to empower children to "speak their minds and hearts," and we know that the best way to encourage communication is through joyful, hands-on experiences.
In this post, we are going to dive into a curated list of easy toddler crafts for summer that are designed to spark curiosity, build fine motor skills, and—most importantly—encourage your little one to start talking about the world around them. Whether you are dealing with a "late talker" or just want to boost your child's developmental milestones, these activities provide the perfect backdrop for language learning. We will cover everything from sensory-rich ice painting to nature-inspired rock art, all while showing you how to pair these crafts with "smart screen time" to create a well-rounded learning environment. By the end of this article, you will have a full toolbox of ideas to make this summer a season of growth and connection.
Why Crafting is a Secret Weapon for Speech Development
Before we get to the glitter and glue, let's talk about the "why." As experts in child development, we see crafting as more than just a way to kill time. It is a functional communication activity. When you sit down to create easy toddler crafts for summer, you are naturally setting up a "communication temptation." Your child might need help opening a glue stick, or they might want a specific color of paper. These moments are gold for speech practice.
Our founders at Speech Blubs grew up with speech problems themselves, so they designed our tools to be the solution they wished they had. We use a "video modeling" methodology, where children learn by watching and imitating their peers. Crafting follows a similar logic: your child watches you, imitates your movements, and learns the labels for the objects you are using. By combining physical crafts with our app, you are attacking developmental goals from two powerful angles.
If you aren't sure where your child stands in their development, you can take our quick 3-minute preliminary screener to get a simple assessment and a tailored next-steps plan. It’s a great way to see how activities like these can support your child's specific needs.
1. Sensory Ice Painting
This is the quintessential easy toddler craft for summer because it addresses the heat while providing a massive sensory payoff.
Materials:
- An ice cube tray
- Washable tempera paint or food coloring
- Large sheets of thick paper (or a concrete driveway!)
- Popsicle sticks (optional)
How to do it: Fill an ice tray with water and add a drop of paint or food coloring to each slot. If you want "brushes," place a popsicle stick in each one as they begin to freeze. Once frozen, let your toddler "paint" on the paper. As the ice melts, the colors swirl and blend.
Speech Tip: This is perfect for practicing "temperature" words. Use words like "cold," "freezing," "melt," and "wet." For a child who loves animals, you might even freeze small plastic figures inside the ice and talk about "freezing the polar bear" or "rescuing the penguin." This mimics the playful engagement found in our "Animal Kingdom" section, where kids practice animal sounds through peer imitation.
2. Paper Plate Suncatchers
The summer sun is your best friend for this craft. It’s a beautiful way to discuss light and colors.
Materials:
- Paper plates (center cut out)
- Clear contact paper
- Tissue paper scraps
- String
How to do it: Cut the center out of a paper plate, leaving just the rim. Stick a piece of contact paper over the hole. Let your toddler press colorful bits of tissue paper onto the sticky surface. Once full, hang it in a sunny window.
Speech Tip: Focus on colors and the word "sticky." You can say, "The paper is sticky! Where does the blue go?" This type of interactive play helps reduce frustration by giving kids a physical outlet for their choices.
3. Rock Magnet Friends
Rock painting is a classic, but turning them into magnets adds a layer of functional play.
Materials:
- Smooth river rocks
- Washable acrylic paint
- Googly eyes
- Strong magnets and glue (adult use only)
How to do it: Let your toddler paint the rocks in bright summer colors. Once dry, help them glue on googly eyes to create "rock monsters" or "pet rocks." An adult can then glue a magnet to the back.
Speech Tip: Use these magnets to hold up other drawings on the fridge. Ask your child, "Which rock should hold your picture? The red one or the green one?" Encouraging choice-making is a foundational skill we emphasize in our scientific methodology.
4. Sponge Sailboats
If you have a kiddie pool or even just a bathtub, these sailboats are a hit.
Materials:
- Kitchen sponges
- Popsicle sticks
- Construction paper (for the sail)
How to do it: Poke a popsicle stick into the center of a dry sponge. Cut a triangle out of paper, poke two holes in it, and slide it onto the stick. Voila—a boat that actually floats!
Speech Tip: This craft is all about action words (verbs). Use words like "float," "sink," "blow," and "go." You can even have a race! "Ready, set, go! The boat is going fast!"
5. The "Letter S" Strawberry
Connecting crafts to letters is a great way to build early literacy skills during the summer break.
Materials:
- Red and green construction paper
- Black marker
- Glue
How to do it: Cut a large letter "S" out of red paper. Let your toddler glue a green "leaf" to the top and use the marker to make black "seeds" all over the S.
Speech Tip: Emphasize the "S" sound. "Ssss-strawberry! Ssss-summer!" If your child is struggling with specific sounds, our app uses video modeling to show them exactly how other children move their mouths to make these sounds. You can download Speech Blubs on the App Store to find specific exercises for the "S" sound and many others.
6. Squirt Gun Masterpieces
Warning: This one gets messy, so take it outside!
Materials:
- Cheap squirt guns or spray bottles
- Water mixed with washable paint
- A large sheet or poster board taped to a fence
How to do it: Fill the squirt guns with tinted water. Let your toddler aim and fire at the paper. The result is a cool, splattered work of art.
Speech Tip: This is excellent for "cause and effect" language. "I squeeze, it sprays!" Talk about "aiming" and "hitting" the target. It’s high-energy and high-engagement, which is exactly how we believe learning should feel.
7. Cotton Ball Ice Cream Cones
Since we can't eat real ice cream all day (though we might want to), this craft is the next best thing.
Materials:
- Brown paper (for the cone)
- Cotton balls
- Paint or food coloring
How to do it: Roll the brown paper into a cone shape. Let your toddler dip cotton balls into "flavors" (colored water) and then glue them onto the top of the cone.
Speech Tip: Practice "ordering" ice cream. "I want two scoops, please!" This builds social communication skills and mimics real-world scenarios your child will encounter.
8. DIY Summer Wind Chimes
Summer breezes are perfect for making a little music.
Materials:
- A sturdy stick from the yard
- String
- Beads, old keys, or metal washers
How to do it: Tie several pieces of string to the stick. Let your toddler thread beads or washers onto the strings. Hang it outside and listen to it jingle.
Speech Tip: Focus on sound words. "Listen! Do you hear the jingle?" "Is it loud or quiet?" Developing an ear for different sounds is a precursor to phonological awareness.
9. Paper Plate Jellyfish
These are adorable and look great hanging from the ceiling to create an "underwater" room.
Materials:
- Paper plates
- Ribbon, yarn, or strips of tissue paper
- Paint
How to do it: Paint the bottom of a paper plate. Once dry, staple or glue long "tentacles" (the ribbon/yarn) to the bottom edge.
Speech Tip: Talk about the jellyfish's "long legs." Use the word "wiggle" as you move the jellyfish around. "Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle!"
10. Bubble Painting
If your toddler loves bubbles, they will adore this unique way to make art.
Materials:
- Bubble solution
- Food coloring
- Bubble wands
- White paper
How to do it: Mix food coloring into small containers of bubble solution. Have your child blow bubbles toward the paper. When the bubbles pop, they leave behind beautiful circular patterns.
Speech Tip: "Pop!" is one of the best early words for toddlers to practice. It involves a "bilabial" sound (using both lips), which is often one of the first sounds children master. You can find many more "pop" and "bubble" activities when you create your account and begin your 7-day free trial today.
11. Nature Collage Sticky Board
This activity encourages exploration of the great outdoors.
Materials:
- A piece of cardboard
- Double-sided tape or contact paper (sticky side out)
- Items found in nature (leaves, flower petals, grass)
How to do it: Cover a piece of cardboard with sticky contact paper. Take your toddler for a walk and have them pick up interesting (and safe!) items to stick onto their board.
Speech Tip: This is a vocabulary builder. "Look, a yellow flower!" "This leaf is crunchy!" Bringing the outdoors in helps children connect labels to the physical world.
12. Watermelon Painted Rocks
Watermelons are the unofficial mascot of summer.
Materials:
- Triangular or oval rocks
- Red, green, and black paint
How to do it: Paint the outer edge of the rock green (the rind) and the inside red. Once dry, let your toddler add black dots for seeds.
Speech Tip: Use this for counting practice! "How many seeds did you make? One, two, three!"
13. Fingerprint Ants on a Picnic
This is a cute way to use those little fingers to make art.
Materials:
- Red and white checkered paper (or draw a grid)
- Black ink pad or paint
How to do it: Draw a "picnic blanket" or use checkered paper. Let your toddler dip their finger in black paint and make "ants" marching across the blanket. You can draw the legs and antennae later.
Speech Tip: "The ants are marching! Where are they going?" Use prepositions like "over," "under," and "across."
14. DIY Play Dough Sand
You can bring the beach home with this simple recipe.
Materials:
- 2 cups of flour
- 1/4 cup of vegetable oil
- Optional: sand or glitter for texture
How to do it: Mix the flour and oil until it reaches a "moldable" consistency. It feels like wet sand but stays together better.
Speech Tip: Use molds to make shapes. "I made a star!" "Can you make a circle?" This sensory play is incredibly calming and helps children focus on communication.
15. Paper Boat Races in a Bin
Finish your crafting session with a little friendly competition.
Materials:
- Paper (folded into boats)
- A plastic bin filled with water
- Straws
How to do it: Fold simple paper boats (there are many easy tutorials online). Place them in a bin of water and give your toddler a straw. Show them how to blow through the straw to make the boat move.
Speech Tip: Blowing through a straw is actually a great oral-motor exercise! It helps strengthen the muscles used for speech. Talk about "fast" and "slow" as the boats move across the "ocean."
Making the Most of "Smart Screen Time"
We know that in the modern world, screens are inevitable. But at Speech Blubs, we believe there is a massive difference between "zoning out" to a cartoon and engaging in "smart screen time." Our app is designed to be a powerful supplement to the physical activities you do with your child.
Think of it this way: when you finish making your Paper Plate Jellyfish, you can open Speech Blubs and find the "underwater" section. Your child can see a peer making jellyfish sounds or talking about the ocean. This reinforces what they just did with their hands, moving the information from short-term play to long-term learning.
Our approach is backed by science and has earned us high ratings on the MARS scale for educational quality. We aren't here to replace you or professional therapy; we are here to provide a joyful, effective tool for family connection. To see how other families have used our method to foster a love for communication, check out our parent testimonials.
Choosing the Right Plan for Your Family
We want to be completely transparent about our pricing because we believe every child deserves access to quality speech support. We offer two main ways to join the Speech Blubs family:
- Monthly Plan: For $14.99 per month, you get full access to our library of 1,500+ activities and the video modeling tools that make our app unique.
- Yearly Plan (Best Value): At $59.99 per year, the cost breaks down to just $4.99 per month. This is a 66% savings compared to the monthly plan.
The Yearly Plan is the clear choice for families looking for long-term growth. Not only is it more affordable, but it also includes:
- A 7-day free trial so you can explore the app risk-free.
- Access to the Reading Blubs app, which helps transition speech skills into early reading.
- Early access to new updates and features.
- Priority 24-hour support response time.
The monthly plan does not include the free trial or the Reading Blubs app, so we highly recommend the yearly option to get the full suite of developmental tools. You can sign up on our website to lock in these benefits today.
Summary of Key Takeaways
Summer is a golden opportunity for development. By engaging in easy toddler crafts for summer, you are doing so much more than making art—you are:
- Building Vocabulary: Giving names to new textures, colors, and actions.
- Strengthening Fine Motor Skills: Preparing those little hands for writing and self-care.
- Reducing Frustration: Giving your child the tools to express their needs and choices.
- Creating Memories: Building a foundation of joyful, family-centered learning.
Remember, the goal isn't to have a Pinterest-perfect craft. The goal is the conversation that happens while the glue is drying. Whether you are painting with ice or blowing bubbles, focus on the connection.
Conclusion
We hope this list of easy toddler crafts for summer inspires you to get messy and start talking! Crafting is a bridge to communication, and with a little bit of preparation and a lot of enthusiasm, you can turn your living room or backyard into a vibrant learning hub.
At Speech Blubs, we are honored to be a part of your child's journey. Our founders created this tool because they knew how it felt to struggle with speech, and they wanted to ensure no child feels left behind. By combining these physical crafts with our "smart screen time" experiences, you are giving your child a powerful head start.
Ready to see the difference for yourself? Download Speech Blubs on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store today. We recommend choosing the Yearly plan to take advantage of the 7-day free trial and the full Reading Blubs suite. Let’s make this summer the season your child truly learns to speak their mind and heart!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the best easy toddler crafts for summer that won't make a huge mess?
Activities like Nature Collages and Suncatchers are great low-mess options. Using contact paper instead of liquid glue keeps things contained, and nature collages take the activity outdoors where "messes" don't matter as much. Magic Nuudles are another great option; they only require a damp paper towel to stick together!
2. How can I use summer crafts to help my "late talker"?
Focus on "communication temptations." Place craft materials slightly out of reach so your child has to ask for them. Use simple, repetitive language while you work (e.g., "Dip the brush, paint the rock"). Pair these activities with the Speech Blubs app to see peers modeling the same words and sounds you are using during craft time.
3. Are these crafts safe for 2-year-olds?
Yes, but adult supervision is essential. For 2-year-olds, focus on non-toxic materials like washable paints and homemade play dough. Avoid small beads or magnets if your child is still in the "putting everything in their mouth" phase. Always handle the glue guns or sharp scissors yourself!
4. Why should I choose the Speech Blubs Yearly Plan over the Monthly Plan?
The Yearly Plan is the best value, offering a 66% discount (averaging $4.99/month). Most importantly, it includes a 7-day free trial and the Reading Blubs app, which are not available on the monthly plan. It’s designed for parents committed to seeing long-term progress in their child’s communication and literacy skills.