9 Easy Crafting Books to Boost Your Creativity This Summer

Remember the crafts you made during summer camp or with your classmates? Think friendship bracelets, lanyards, rubber band jewelry, and woven potholders. This book is a blast from the past for the young at heart and children who are new to some old-school crafting. There are over 150 crafts included here, perfect for kids aged 4 to 12, and they all require inexpensive tools that anyone can use. Color photos, supply lists, easy-to-follow instructions, and full-size patterns make it all easier than ever!

Summer is the perfect time for camping and spending quality time outdoors with the kids. Get them involved in some crafting fun with these 21 simple-to-make projects, which provide countless hours of enjoyment for children of all ages, both indoors and outdoors. Everything you need to outfit a child to go adventuring is here to make: backpacks, teepees, sleeping bags, sun hats, cargo vests, quilts, and more. There are even a few bonus nature-themed crafts and recipes for camp treats, such as peanut butter s'mores, finger puppets, and tracking animals in the wild.

Who hasn't had that dream of spending their long, hot summer in a beautiful house by the lake, watching the sun set while snuggled under a beautiful patchwork blanket? Well, we can't promise you the lake house or good weather, but how about making your own quilt for such an occasion? Sally Bell and Susan Maw offer 11 projects with some traditional designs that have a twist, making them romantic, fun, and stylish.

Everyone knows how to make a sandcastle. But have you ever seen those huge and elaborate sandcastles that look like they came straight out of a fairy tale? Everyone's tried to make one like that, and it's never gone as well as you hope. But help is here in the form of Sandcastles Made Simple. Lucinda "sandy feet" Wierenga, a renowned sand sculptor, offers a detailed guide to make your sandcastles into true castles, complete with turrets, towers, and even arches. The beach is your canvas, and this book will help you create your own dream homes from sand and water.

Hey, even your dolls need some great Summer style. This collection from MODKID offers an array of outfits and accessories for 18" dolls that will have them looking as suave as any influencer this Summer. The book provides detailed instructions that are colorful and easy to follow, guiding readers on how to make mini swimsuits, sleeping bags, and beach totes. Many of the designs in this book even have a kid-sized counterpart available!

Crocheting is far easier to pick up than you'd think. Once you learn the basic stitches and remember to count them, you can find yourself making pieces at a record pace. Why not put that to good use and fill up your summer wardrobe at the same time? Barefoot sandals are ideal footwear for the sunny season. Crochet Barefoot Sandals features eight cute and crafty designs with fun motifs, like daisies and beaded fish, and they're perfect for crocheters of all skill levels.

Did you know that you can make dyes from different plants and flowers? People have been doing it for thousands of years, and it's much easier to try than you might think. Babs Behan's book features recipes and advice on how to get your start. There are tips on every step of the process, from foraging for plants to blending colors to using your dyes for different projects, as well as explanations of what works and why. This is a unique way to take advantage of the summer's natural bounty and blend it with sustainable crafts that are both fun and good for the planet.

You can make so many things with embroidery. It's incredible how much detail you can get from a mere needle and thread, but it's tough to make that first stitch without guidance. Canadian artist and teacher Arounna Khounnoraj offers a beginner-friendly guide to creating embroidery patterns with a botanical theme—perfect for summer. Her step-by-step instructions make it easy for novices to follow along, with stitches ranging from easy to hard. There are 20 botanical-inspired projects to try, including handkerchiefs, cushions, and wall hangings.

Pottery is one of the oldest methods of crafting we have, dating back thousands of years. It can seem more daunting to try out than it actually is. In Handbuilt, Lilly Maetzig, a visual artist who specializes in ceramics and pottery, offers a beginner's guide to clay. No pottery wheel required! This book will show you how to start making things by hand using simple techniques to create coffee cups, a teapot, dinner plates, and more.