As a kid, summertime and playtime are synonymous. It’s the perfect time of year for racing around on bikes, splashing in pools, and climbing trees. But sometimes, kids like nothing better than to slow down and do something a little more relaxing. For parents, that means only one thing: craft time. If your whole family wants to get in on the fun, try these fun crafting projects to do with the kids this summer.

Decorated Flowerpots

Summer is the perfect season for planting a garden. While plants themselves are already pretty enough, you can have your kids add their own artistic spin to your garden by painting flowerpots. Start by cleaning the surface of your pots and allowing them to dry completely. Then, let your kids go to town with acrylic paints. When they’re dry, you can add a layer of sealer to preserve your kids’ work.

Pro Tip

Think about where to keep the flowerpots. If you’ll keep them outside, opt for paints intended for outdoor use. Otherwise, any acrylic will do the job.

Sidewalk Paint

We all remember drawing with chalk on our driveways and sidewalks as a kid. But for those who find chalk tricky or who just want to try something new, you can create your own nontoxic sidewalk paints. All you need is cornstarch, water, and food coloring, and you can make a wide assortment of paints for the kids to create outdoor masterpieces that won’t stain the pavement.

Make Your Own Mugs

For kids who are ready to move past sippy cups, you can help them decorate their own mugs. First, buy a plain ceramic mug from your local craft store and several multicolored sharpies. Your kids can decorate them however they want, but if they’re stumped, you can suggest a few ideas, like:

• Their initials
• A funny expression
• A design that references a hobby or interest
• A favorite quote
• Simple animal or insect designs
• Geometric patterns like stripes, polka dots, or a checkerboard

After they’ve decorated them, bake the mugs in the oven at 350 degrees for thirty minutes, and then leave them in the oven for a few hours to cool down. This will bake the design into the ceramic and make it dishwasher safe. Then, you can feel free to run them through the dishwasher and enjoy a mug of tea or cocoa.

Build a Doghouse

Building a doghouse is a fun summer craft you can enjoy with your kids who are older and ready for more challenging crafting adventures. Kids will learn about planning and budgeting while purchasing all the things they need for the doghouse, and they can practice their math while measuring the materials. And since Fido typically isn’t picky about how his house looks, it’s a safe place for kids to make mistakes.