
Tania K. Cowling is a former teacher, a published book author, and award winning freelance writer.
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For most teachers out there, the school year is over. But there are some schools that are open all year, like the private school where I worked. In the elementary grades, summer school mostly focused on skills, but we also offered summer camp activities. So, if you're teaching over the summer like I did, give your students a break from the three Rs (reading, writing, and arithmetic) and engage them with some summer crafts for kids. Here are a few of my favorites.
Whether it's July and you're working on a fireworks painting, or you just want to make bursts of color from throwing a toy, a Koosh ball is loads of fun and makes awesome prints. Kids love tossing the balls around and letting the paint splash.
During summer session, the students and I took nature walks outdoors when we needed a break. During this time, we collected a variety of foliage around the school grounds. Then we worked on this unique shirt that was treasured by each student.
Noise is synonymous with holidays, music, and just letting loose. This craft idea makes great noisemakers from odds and ends around your classroom and empty water bottles that usually get put into the recycling bin. These shakers are far more entertaining to make and use than ones you can buy. I've found that this craft is the perfect activity for rainy days when you can't go outside.
These are only a few summer crafts for kids to incorporate into your daily lesson plans. When the weather is nice, take advantage of the outdoors and do some art in the fresh air. Even if the weather's bad, you can still give your kids some much-needed creative, crafty time if you have the right supplies. Turns out that summer school can be fun after all!