25 Cheerful First Day of Summer Crafts for Kids

The first day of summer is an exciting milestone that deserves a little celebration. Kicking off the season with fun, hands on crafts is a wonderful way to build excitement, welcome the warm days ahead, and create happy memories together. These cheerful projects use simple supplies and bright colors to capture the joy of summer’s arrival. Here are 25 cheerful first day of summer crafts for kids that make the perfect way to welcome the sunny season.

1. Hello Summer Banner

A hello summer banner is a cheerful first day of summer craft that welcomes the season in style. Kids decorate colorful letters to spell out a happy summer greeting. It is a simple, festive project perfect for celebrating, and the bright result makes a fun decoration to hang up, instantly filling your home with the joyful, sunny spirit of summer’s arrival.

Cut letters or triangle flags from bright cardstock to spell hello summer. Let kids decorate each colorful piece with markers, stickers, and glitter. Punch holes and string them together with yarn or ribbon. This craft is easy and festive, giving kids a cheerful hello summer banner that celebrates the first day of summer and adds happy color to any room.

2. Summer Bucket List Poster

A summer bucket list poster is a fun first day of summer craft that sparks excitement for the season. Kids brainstorm and draw all the fun things they hope to do. It is a creative, motivating project that builds anticipation, and the colorful result becomes a cheerful keepsake to hang up, reminding everyone of the sunny adventures waiting throughout the whole summer break ahead.

Give kids a large poster board and bright markers or paint. Let them write or draw their dream summer activities like swimming and ice cream. Decorate the edges with suns, flowers, and other cheerful doodles. This craft is fun and inspiring, giving kids a colorful summer bucket list poster that celebrates the first day of summer and the exciting season ahead.

3. Summer Memory Jar

A summer memory jar is a heartwarming first day of summer craft that captures the season’s best moments. Kids decorate a jar to fill with notes about their favorite memories. It is a meaningful, ongoing project that lasts all summer, and the sweet result becomes a treasure to open at the end of the season, reliving every happy, sunny adventure together.

Decorate a clean jar with paint, ribbon, and a cheerful summer label. Keep small slips of paper and a pen nearby for easy note taking. Throughout summer, write down fun memories and drop them inside. This craft is sweet and meaningful, giving kids a summer memory jar started on the first day of summer that becomes a beautiful keepsake to enjoy later.

4. Paper Sun Hat

A paper sun hat is a playful first day of summer craft that kids can actually wear. Decorated with bright colors and summer shapes, it makes a fun party accessory. It is an easy, festive project perfect for celebrating, and the cheerful result lets kids show off their creativity while getting into the sunny spirit of welcoming the very first day of summer.

Shape a cone or band from colorful cardstock to fit the head. Let kids decorate it with paper suns, flowers, and cheerful summer doodles. Add ribbon, glitter, or pom poms for extra festive fun. This craft is easy and joyful, giving kids a bright paper sun hat to wear while celebrating the happy arrival of the first day of summer.

5. Ice Cream Paper Garland

An ice cream paper garland is a sweet first day of summer craft that brings festive charm to any room. Kids cut and decorate paper ice cream cones to string together. It is a fun, colorful project that feels like a celebration, and the playful result makes adorable decor for welcoming summer, kicking off the season with a cheerful, dessert themed display.

Cut cone and scoop shapes from colorful paper for each ice cream. Let kids decorate them with sprinkles, cherries, and bright patterns. Glue the pieces together and attach them along a string. This craft is sweet and festive, giving kids a cheerful ice cream paper garland that celebrates the first day of summer with playful, dessert filled decoration to hang up proudly.

6. Ocean Sensory Bottle

An ocean sensory bottle is a calming first day of summer craft that brings the sea into a jar. Kids fill a bottle with water, glitter, and tiny ocean treasures. It is a mesmerizing, easy project that delights all ages, and the soothing result lets children shake and watch a swirling ocean, perfect for celebrating summer’s arrival with a little seaside magic.

Fill a clear plastic bottle most of the way with water and blue coloring. Add glitter, tiny shells, plastic fish, and a little oil for fun movement. Seal the lid tightly with glue so nothing spills out. This craft is calming and magical, giving kids a swirling ocean sensory bottle that celebrates the first day of summer with peaceful, mesmerizing seaside fun.

7. Painted Flower Pot

A painted flower pot is a lovely first day of summer craft that mixes art with nature. Kids decorate a plain pot with bright colors and cheerful designs. It is a rewarding, hands on project perfect for the season, and the colorful result becomes a sweet home for summer flowers or herbs, marking the start of summer with something beautiful to grow and enjoy.

Give kids a plain terracotta pot and acrylic or outdoor paint. Let them paint suns, flowers, rainbows, or fun patterns all over. Once dry, plant a flower, succulent, or herb inside together. This craft is fun and rewarding, giving kids a painted flower pot that celebrates the first day of summer and grows beautifully throughout the warm, sunny season ahead.

8. DIY Paper Sunglasses

DIY paper sunglasses are a silly, fun first day of summer craft that gets kids excited for sunny days. Kids design and decorate their own colorful summer shades. It is an easy, playful project that sparks creativity, and the cheerful result makes a fun photo prop or dress up accessory, perfect for celebrating the bright and happy arrival of the summer season.

Cut a sunglasses shape from sturdy cardstock, including the frames and arms. Let kids decorate them with paint, glitter, stickers, and bright colors. Add colored cellophane behind the frames for fun tinted lenses. This craft is easy and silly, giving kids playful paper sunglasses to wear and show off while celebrating the cheerful first day of summer in style.

9. Paper Flip Flops

Paper flip flops are a cute first day of summer craft that celebrates warm, barefoot days ahead. Kids cut and decorate flip flop shapes in bright summer colors. It is a simple, charming project perfect for the season, and the playful result makes adorable decorations or fun crafts that capture the relaxed, sunny feeling of summer finally arriving and beach days to come.

Trace and cut flip flop shapes from colorful craft foam or paper. Add paper or ribbon straps across the top in fun summer shades. Let kids decorate them with flowers, gems, glitter, and patterns. This craft is cute and easy, giving kids charming paper flip flops that celebrate the first day of summer and the relaxed, sunny days waiting just ahead.

10. Summer Windsock

A summer windsock is a breezy first day of summer craft that dances joyfully in the wind. Kids decorate a tube and add colorful streamers that flutter outside. It is a fun, easy project that brightens any porch, and the cheerful result celebrates summer’s arrival by adding playful movement and color to the yard, perfect for welcoming the warm and breezy season.

Decorate a cardboard tube or paper cylinder with bright summer colors. Tape or glue long ribbon and crepe paper streamers to the bottom. Attach a string to the top so it can hang up outside. This craft is breezy and cheerful, giving kids a colorful summer windsock that flutters in the wind and celebrates the happy first day of summer outdoors.

11. Lemonade Stand Sign

A lemonade stand sign is a classic first day of summer craft that brings sweet, sunny fun. Kids design a bright, cheerful sign to advertise their summer lemonade. It is a creative, exciting project perfect for the season, and the colorful result sets the stage for a fun summer activity, kicking off warm days with the timeless joy of a homemade lemonade stand.

Give kids a poster board or cardboard piece for the sign base. Let them paint or draw lemons, cups, and a big lemonade title. Add a price and fun decorations like suns and flowers. This craft is fun and classic, giving kids a cheerful lemonade stand sign that celebrates the first day of summer and inspires a sweet, sunny seasonal tradition.

12. Fruit Stamp Art

Fruit stamp art is a juicy first day of summer craft that turns real fruit into a painting tool. Kids dip cut fruit in paint and stamp colorful prints onto paper. It is a simple, sensory rich project that toddlers love, and the bright result makes cheerful summer art, celebrating the season’s fresh fruit with fun, fruity patterns and shapes on the page.

Cut fruit like apples, oranges, and lemons in half for stamping. Pour paint onto plates and let kids dip and press the fruit onto paper. Layer different colors and shapes to make fun summer designs. This craft is easy and sensory, giving kids juicy fruit stamp art that celebrates the first day of summer with bright, fresh, fruity prints.

13. Summer Photo Frame

A summer photo frame is a sweet first day of summer craft that captures the start of the season. Kids decorate a frame to hold a favorite summer memory or photo. It is an easy, meaningful project perfect for keepsakes, and the cheerful result becomes a lovely way to remember the first day of summer and all the sunny adventures that follow it.

Start with a plain wooden or sturdy cardboard frame as the base. Let kids glue on seashells, buttons, beads, or paper summer shapes. Paint and decorate it with bright, cheerful colors and patterns. This craft is sweet and easy, giving kids a decorated summer photo frame that celebrates the first day of summer and proudly displays a happy seasonal memory.

14. Beach Ball Paper Craft

A beach ball paper craft is a bouncy, bright first day of summer project full of color. Kids cut and arrange colorful paper sections to make a cheerful beach ball. It is a simple, festive project perfect for the season, and the playful result makes fun decor or a happy summer scene, celebrating the carefree, sunny fun that the season is all about.

Cut curved sections in bright colors like red, yellow, blue, and green. Arrange and glue them onto a paper circle to form a beach ball. Add a white center and outline for a classic, cheerful look. This craft is easy and bright, giving kids a colorful beach ball paper craft that celebrates the first day of summer with bouncy, playful color.

15. Salt Painting Sunshine

Salt painting sunshine is a magical first day of summer craft that mixes art with a little fun science. Kids make a glittery salt sun, then add watercolors that spread beautifully. It is a fascinating, easy project that feels like magic, and the glowing result is a radiant sun, perfect for celebrating the bright, sunny start of the wonderful summer season.

Draw a sun shape with glue, then sprinkle salt over the lines. Shake off the extra salt to leave a raised, sparkly sun outline. Touch a wet, colorful brush to the salt and watch the colors spread. This craft is magical and easy, giving kids glowing salt painting sunshine that celebrates the first day of summer with bright, radiant color.

16. Sunny Face Mask

A sunny face mask is a playful first day of summer craft that kids can wear to celebrate. Children decorate a paper plate with a big smiling sun face and eye holes to peek through. It is a simple, festive project perfect for parties, and the cheerful mask adds instant joy, letting kids show off their creativity while welcoming the warm and sunny season in style.

Cut eye holes in a paper plate and paint the rest bright yellow. Add a big smile, rosy cheeks, and paper rays around the edge. Attach a string or stick to hold the mask in place. This craft is easy and festive, giving kids a sunny face mask to wear while celebrating the happy first day of summer with bright, cheerful, handmade fun.

17. Welcome Summer Door Hanger

A welcome summer door hanger is a cheerful first day of summer craft that greets everyone at the door. Kids decorate a cardboard shape with suns, flowers, and bright summer colors. It is a simple, festive project perfect for porches, and the finished hanger adds happy personality to your entry while marking the official start of the sunny season with handmade charm.

Cut a large circle or sun shape from sturdy cardboard. Let kids paint and decorate it with summer stickers, flowers, and glitter. Punch a hole at the top and thread ribbon for hanging on the door. This craft is easy and festive, giving kids a welcome summer door hanger that celebrates the first day of summer with bright, cheerful handmade style.

18. Popsicle Stick Sunshine

A popsicle stick sunshine is a bright first day of summer craft that radiates warm color. Kids arrange painted sticks in a sunburst pattern with a happy face in the center. It is a simple, satisfying project perfect for little hands, and the finished sunshine makes adorable wall decor that captures the glowing joy of summer’s very first happy day.

Paint several popsicle sticks yellow and orange for the sun rays. Arrange them in a circle around a yellow paper plate center and glue in place. Add a smiley face and googly eyes to the middle. This craft is easy and bright, giving kids a cheerful popsicle stick sunshine that celebrates the first day of summer with warm, radiant handmade color.

19. Summer Vocabulary Book

A summer vocabulary book is an educational first day of summer craft that builds early reading skills. Kids create a small booklet filled with summer words and drawings they color in. It is a creative, learning project perfect for preschoolers, and the finished book becomes a proud keepsake that celebrates the season while helping children learn fun new summer words.

Fold several sheets of paper in half and staple them into a booklet. Write one summer word on each page like sun, beach, and ice cream. Let kids draw and color a picture for each word. This craft is fun and educational, giving kids a summer vocabulary book that celebrates the first day of summer while building early reading and writing skills.

20. Paper Fan Craft

A paper fan craft is a cool first day of summer craft that kids can actually use on hot days. Children fold colorful paper back and forth to make a breezy handheld fan. It is a simple, practical project perfect for warm weather, and the finished fan brings instant relief while celebrating summer’s arrival with bright, folded color and playful handmade style.

Decorate a sheet of paper with summer drawings and bright colors on both sides. Fold the paper accordion style back and forth in even sections. Pinch one end together and staple or tape to hold the base. This craft is easy and practical, giving kids a colorful paper fan craft that keeps them cool while celebrating the first day of summer outdoors.

21. DIY Bubble Solution Labels

DIY bubble solution labels are a fun first day of summer craft that personalizes outdoor play. Kids decorate labels for bottles of homemade bubble mix to use all season long. It is a simple, creative project perfect for parties, and the labeled bottles add a festive cheerful touch to every bubble blowing session throughout the warm and sunny months ahead.

Mix dish soap and water in small bottles for bubble solution. Cut paper labels and let kids decorate them with summer drawings, their name, and bright colors. Tape or glue each label onto a bottle. This craft is easy and fun, giving kids DIY bubble solution labels that celebrate the first day of summer with personalized, bubbly outdoor summer fun.

22. Sand Paper Art Board

A sand paper art board is a textured first day of summer craft that brings the beach indoors. Kids glue sand onto cardboard and add shells, stickers, and summer shapes on top. It is a simple, sensory project perfect for little hands, and the finished board captures the sandy feeling of summer with a tactile, beachy masterpiece to display proudly.

Spread glue on a piece of cardboard and sprinkle fine sand over the top. Let it dry, then let kids add shells, paper fish, and summer stickers on the sandy surface. Frame with a border of colored paper if you like. This craft is sensory and fun, giving kids a sand paper art board that celebrates the first day of summer with beachy, textured handmade charm.

23. Paper Plate Clock

A paper plate clock is a clever first day of summer craft that marks the season on the wall. Kids paint a plate like a sun clock and add paper hands pointing to summer fun. It is a simple, creative project perfect for learning time, and the cheerful clock adds a playful decoration that reminds everyone summer has officially arrived and adventure awaits.

Paint a paper plate bright yellow like a sun and let it dry. Write numbers around the edge and attach paper clock hands with a brad in the center. Decorate with rays and a happy face. This craft is easy and clever, giving kids a paper plate clock that celebrates the first day of summer with a bright, timekeeping decoration full of sunny personality.

24. Summer Goal Jar Lids

Summer goal jar lids are an inspiring first day of summer craft that sets intentions for the season. Kids decorate jar lids and write one summer goal on a slip of paper inside each jar. It is a meaningful, creative project perfect for families, and the labeled jars become daily reminders of the fun adventures and dreams waiting throughout the warm months ahead.

Collect a few clean jars and let kids decorate the lids with paint, stickers, and summer doodles. Write one summer goal on a slip of paper and place it inside each jar. Display the jars on a shelf together. This craft is inspiring and sweet, giving kids summer goal jar lids that celebrate the first day of summer with hopeful, handmade intention.

25. Rainbow Ribbon Wand

A rainbow ribbon wand is a magical first day of summer craft that dances with color in the breeze. Kids attach bright ribbons to a stick and wave them outdoors in celebration. It is a simple, active project perfect for parties, and the fluttering wand brings instant movement and joy, marking the start of summer with a burst of rainbow color and happy outdoor play.

Tie long ribbons in rainbow colors to one end of a wooden dowel or stick. Secure each ribbon with a tight knot so they stay in place. Let kids wave the wand outside and watch the ribbons flutter. This craft is easy and magical, giving kids a rainbow ribbon wand that celebrates the first day of summer with bright, dancing, outdoor celebration fun.