Remember summer camp? The bug spray perfume, the friendship bracelets littering tan skin, the sheer thrill of wielding safety scissors and Elmer’s glue like you were crafting your own legacy? Welcome back. Only now, you’ve traded the mess hall for your local coffee shop, and your macaroni masterpieces just got a serious glow-up.
These 16 summer crafts channel all the nostalgic chaos of childhood camp—nature walks, color explosions, and the smell of sun-warmed construction paper—but with adult-level coolness and zero supervision. They're messy in the best way, totally quirky, and just elevated enough that you won’t feel weird Instagramming the results.
Bonus points if you wear your Namaste Home and Craft Essential Tee while doing them. It’s soft, cheeky, and practically screams “I came to craft and eat popsicles—and I’m all out of popsicles.”
Slap on the SPF, cue the cicadas, and let’s get crafting.
1. Cyanotype (Sun) Printing
Like nature’s Polaroid, this cyanotype printing project uses sunlight and special paper to turn leaves, flowers, and backyard clippings into moody blue masterpieces. It’s giving moody art major who summers in Maine—and we’re here for it.
2. Botanical Wax Sachets
Your sock drawer deserves to smell like a woodland fairy grove, and these wax sachets make that dream real. Dried flowers, fragrant oils, and melted wax come together to create something that smells like a spa and looks like a miniature art piece.
3. Watermelon Soap
These juicy little watermelon soaps look good enough to eat (but, uh, don’t). They’re sweet, summery, and smell divine—basically popsicle stick crafts all grown up and ready for your guest bathroom.
4. Painted Pineapple Shoes
These fruity DIY pineapple shoes are the ultimate “I went to art camp and now I own it” accessory. Grab some canvas sneakers and a paintbrush, and your feet will be ready to strut straight into a tropical daydream.
5. Rainbow Galaxy Earrings
These cosmic earrings made with polymer clay and alcohol ink are basically what happens when Lisa Frank has a space phase. Sparkly, swirly, and just the right amount of over-the-top.
6. Summer Flower Garland
Feel like the Queen of the Crafting Forest with this summer flower garland. It’s made of paper, but no one will know that while you’re out here throwing a backyard bash like a floral goddess.
7. Terracotta Pot Wreath
This terracotta succulent wreath is the plant lover’s dream you didn’t know you needed. Think rustic charm meets front door fabulous. Also: you can’t kill these “plants,” so win-win.
8. Mosaic House Numbers
Make your house the artsy one on the block with these colorful mosaic house numbers. It’s equal parts practical and Pinterest-core, and it finally gives you a reason to say “I made that” to the delivery guy.
9. Pressed Flower Art
Pressed flower art is like Victorian diary pages turned boho wall décor. Frame your floral treasures like a romantic forest witch and instantly make any space look more “intentional” (even if it’s just hiding nail holes).
10. Rope Bag
Sewing may not have been a camp skill, but this rope bag tutorial is pure summer-vacation energy. It’s sturdy, nautical, and stylish enough to carry your sunscreen, snacks, and emotional baggage to the beach.
11. Shibori Indigo Planters
Bring the tie-dye trend to your plant babies with these Shibori indigo planters. They're messy in the best way and totally look like you picked them up at an overpriced coastal boutique.
12. DIY Agate Coasters
These faux agate coasters are what happens when you mix crafting, geology, and a little glam. They look like they belong in a crystal shop, but they’re made with resin and your impeccable taste.
13. Sea Shell Candles
Remember hoarding shells on family beach trips? Time to finally do something with them. These sea shell candles are part coastal grandma, part mermaid witch—and totally gift-worthy.
14. Citrus Stamped Tea Towels
For a craft that’s as fresh as it looks, try stamping citrus fruits onto tea towels. It’s like a summer farmer’s market exploded in your kitchen—in the cutest way.
15. Bioplastic Suncatchers
Yes, bioplastic suncatchers are a thing, and yes, you can make them with gelatin and a little rainbow magic. They’re equal parts eco-friendly and science-fair-fabulous.
16. Stamped Garden Plant Markers
These DIY stamped garden plant markers are what happens when camp craft hour grows up and starts gardening. With just some metal blanks, stamps, and a healthy tolerance for hammering, you can label your basil like a boss. Bonus: they won’t rot, fade, or attract raccoons like the popsicle sticks you used when you were ten. Grown-up, durable, and still just the right amount of chaotic.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it—16 gloriously kooky, nature-drenched crafts to channel your inner camp kid with grown-up flair. Whether you're sun-printing ferns like a woodland sorceress or accidentally gluing sequins to your elbow (again), you're doing summer right. Just remember: Crafting is cheaper than therapy, more fun than doomscrolling, and way cuter when you’re wearing your Namaste Home and Craft Essential Tee. Now go forth and make something wildly unnecessary but totally fabulous. You earned this glitter.