It's summertime and suddenly there's all this extra free time stretching out before you, whether that's long afternoons with the kids, quiet weekends to yourself, or simply a little more room to slow down and get creative. Before long, the creativity bug starts to bite, but what on earth are you supposed to make? Don't get us wrong, a classic painting project or candle-making session will always have its place, but if you're looking to switch things up this summer and try your hand at something new, we've put together the perfect curated list of summer-coded crafts to inspire your next creative afternoon.

Seashell  & Driftwood Mobile/ Wall Hanging

Start by giving all of your seashells and driftwood a good clean. If some of your shells are still holding onto a bit of ocean grime, leave them to soak in a diluted bleach solution for a day or two to remove any lingering sea slime and bring back their natural shine. Using a drill, carefully create a small hole in each shell. No drill? No problem, simply glue a jump ring to the top of the shell instead. Set aside one or two larger pieces of driftwood to act as the main support from which all of your strands will hang. Cut clear fishing line into varying lengths, then begin threading on your shells and smaller pieces of driftwood, tying knots as you go to hold everything securely in place. If you're after a little extra sparkle and even more ocean energy, weave in pieces of sea glass or a few beads along the strands as well. Once you're happy with your arrangement, tie each strand onto the main driftwood piece and hang your creation wherever it can catch the breeze. The result is a mobile or wall hanging full of coastal mermaid vibes and the perfect way to showcase your favorite beach finds from the season.

Craft Supplies Needed:

• Piece of driftwood
• Assorted seashells
• Fishing line or clear thread
• Small drill or super glue/jump rings
• Scissors
• Optional: sea glass or beads
  

Shell Trinket Dish

Taking a large scallop, oyster, or clam shell, begin by soaking it in a mixture of bleach and water for about 24 hours to remove any remaining sand, salt, or ocean residue. Once your shell is clean, rinse thoroughly and allow it to dry completely. Next, brush a layer of Mod Podge onto the interior of the shell and carefully line it with pieces of colored tissue paper, smoothing them down as seamlessly as possible to follow the natural curves of the shell. Once it has had a chance to dry slightly, apply a second layer of Mod Podge over the top to seal everything in place and give it a beautiful glossy finish. For a little extra elegance, paint the exterior of the shell in either gold or silver before finishing with one final thin layer of Mod Podge to protect your design. The result is the perfect coastal catch-all tray for rings, keys, jewelery, and all of those tiny treasures that somehow always seem to disappear around the house.

Craft Supplies Needed:

• Large shell
• Gold or silver paint
• Mod Podge
• Small paint brush

Shell Mirror

This one is a little more self-explanatory than you might think. Rather than heading to a department store in search of the perfect mirror, we love the idea of giving an existing piece a second life or hunting down a vintage find at your local thrift store. Not a mirror person? This craft works just as beautifully with a picture frame or piece of framed art. Before reaching for the shells, paint a base layer onto the frame to disguise any small gaps that may peek through between them. Soft coastal shades like baby blue, eggshell, or cream tend to work especially well and help enhance that seaside feel. Once the paint has dried, it's time for the fun part. Armed with super glue or a hot glue gun, start layering on your shells in whatever arrangement feels right to you. Add pieces of sea glass, strands of faux pearls, or any other beach treasures you've collected along the way for a little extra magic. Some of us prefer to lay out the pattern beforehand and carefully plan every detail, while others are happier letting the design come together organically, placing shells wherever they feel most at home. There is no wrong approach here — do it your way, and by the end you'll have created a mermaid portal fit for a siren, perfect for a bedroom, bathroom, or entryway and a beautiful way to showcase your beach finds from the season.

Craft Supplies Needed:

• Mirror or frame
• Assortment of shells (sea glass and strands of fake pearls optional add-ons)
• Hot glue/super glue
• Paint & paintbrush

Propagation Station

This summer craft is perfect for anyone still trying to achieve a green thumb, or for those who love the jungle aesthetic of a home filled with plants but can't seem to keep them alive for more than a few weeks at a time. All you need is a few old jars, some plant cuttings, and a little water. Whether you already have a growing plant collection and want to make a few babies, or you're looking to introduce the first touches of green into your space, propagation is one of the easiest places to start. Using either plants from your garden or ones you already have indoors, begin by taking a cutting just below one of the leaf nodes before placing it into a jar of room temperature water. Set your cuttings somewhere with plenty of indirect sunlight and let nature do the rest. For some species, particularly larger houseplants, a single leaf is sometimes all it takes to get the propagation process started. For the ultimate room décor moment, we love displaying a collection of propagations in old jam jars, vintage apothecary bottles, or mismatched glassware lined up along a sunny windowsill. The result gives all the houseplant mum vibes while adding a little life and greenery to your home. Keep an eye on them as they begin to root, many species can happily live in water for months before needing to be transferred to soil. Super easy, surprisingly satisfying, and undeniably cute, this might just be the summer craft that finally kickstarts your plant obsession.

Craft Supplies Needed:

• Old glass jars/ bottles
• Scissors
• Water
• Plant cuttings

Air Plant Magnets

Need to spice up the fridge or looking for the perfect little gift for a friend? These air plant magnets are one of the cutest ways to display your air plants rather than letting them sit forgotten on a windowsill or tucked away in a trinket dish. Simply take a shell with a nice cupped shape or a hollowed-out wine cork and glue a magnet onto the back. Once dry, nestle your air plant inside and that's really all there is to it. If your air plant has a habit of making a run for it, use the tiniest dab of glue to secure it in place. Don't worry, a small amount won't harm the plant. The end result is a charming little piece of living décor that brings a touch of greenery and coastal charm to your kitchen, office, or anywhere that could use a little extra life.

Craft Supplies Needed:

• Air plant
• Shell/ wine work
• Magnet
• Hot glue/ super glue

Kitchen Herb Garden

In the summertime, when our meals revolve around fresh produce and whatever happens to be in season, we tend to find ourselves reaching for fresh herbs far more often than usual. Rather than making endless trips to the grocery store or wishing you had the garden space for a full herb patch, why not bring the garden indoors instead? Find a funky pot you love, something that matches the vibe of your kitchen and has enough room for a few of your favorite herbs to grow side by side. Fill it with soil, add your chosen herb plants, and before long you'll have a little kitchen garden of your very own. Not only does it save you from repeatedly buying that half-picked basil plant from the grocery store that somehow always gets forgotten on the counter for a week too long, but it also adds a little life, character, and greenery to your space while bringing fresh flavor to your cooking. For an extra dose of personality, tuck a few tiny figurines, trinkets, or miniature toys among the herbs to create a tiny woodland world for your plants to live in. It's a fun detail for kids and adults alike and somehow makes watering your herbs feel a little more magical.

Craft Supplies Needed:

• Large pot
• Potting soil
• Herb plants of choice
• Water
• Optional (Fun little toys to put amongst the herbs)

Bag Charms

These days, bag charms are absolutely everywhere. For those of us who have faithfully carried the same go-to tote, handbag, or crossbody for years but are suddenly feeling the urge to shake things up for summer, don't give up on her just yet. Sometimes all your favorite bag needs is a new accessory and a little fresh energy. The beauty of bag charms is that they're incredibly easy to make, completely customizable, and can move effortlessly from one bag to the next depending on your mood or outfit. They never have to stay in one place for long. Start with a key ring, oversized lobster clasp, or carabiner as your base. Then, using chain, cord, ribbon, or string, begin adding your favorite beads, charms, keychains, or little trinkets that you've been holding onto without quite knowing what to do with. Don't have a collection of charms lying around at home? Vintage and thrift stores are treasure troves for this sort of thing. Hunt for old statement necklaces, costume jewelery, oversized earrings, or quirky keychains that can be taken apart and given a second life. Many of these pieces are already attached with jump rings, making them easy to repurpose and attach to whatever chain or cord you're using. And there you have it, a bag that's instantly more playful, more personal, and a little more you this summer. The best part? When you're ready for a change, simply unclip it and give another bag its moment in the sun.

Craft Supplies Needed:

• Chain or string
  
• Lobster clasp, key ring, or carabiner clip
• Jewelry pliers
• Beads (wooden, pearl, glass, or colorful seed beads)
• Charms (starfish, initials, surfboards, evil eyes, etc.)
• Tassels or ribbon (optional)

Bottle Candlestick or Bangle Stack

This craft can barely even be called a craft because it is so simple, takes all of thirty seconds, and has somehow been around for millennia, despite only just making its way back into our homes thanks to this summer's trends. Have you ever come across a wine or spirits bottle so beautifully designed that throwing it into the recycling feels almost criminal? Instead, it sits empty on the bar cart for months while you wait for inspiration to strike. Well, we've finally found its purpose. You've got two options. The first is to transform it into a candle holder. This works particularly well in pairs or clusters, making it perfect for anyone who has unintentionally started a collection. Find a few tall, colorful, or delightfully wonky taper candles, gently melt the base of each one, and press it into the neck of the bottle to secure it in place. That's it, you're done. Styled down the centre of a dining table, on a kitchen counter, or mixed into a bookshelf vignette, they give effortlessly chic European summer dinner party energy. Have a particularly beautiful bottle that you can't bear to drip wax all over? Your second option is even easier. Place it on your dresser or jewelery stand and use it to store bangles, bracelets, or chunky cuffs instead. Sometimes the best decor ideas are the simplest ones, and yes, it really is that easy.

Craft Supplies Needed:

• Old bottles (clean)
• Long candles
• A lighter

Straw Hat Decal

Do you have a straw hat that faithfully follows you to the beach every summer but has started to feel a little less exciting than it once did? Rather than heading out to buy a new one, why not give your old favorite a refresh instead? Much like bag charms, this project is completely customizable and can be tailored entirely to your style. Leaning into coastal vibes? Wrap a little thin rope around the crown and add a few shells collected from your favorite beach days. More of a garden party or countryside picnic person? A bit of twine and a handful of faux flowers will instantly transform it into something straight out of a summer in Provence. Sometimes all it takes is a colorful ribbon tied around the brim to give a hat an entirely new personality. The beauty of this craft is that there are no rules, only whatever feels most like you. So if your trusty summer hat is feeling a little tired, don't replace it just yet. Sometimes all something needs is a little life breathed back into it and the chance for a second summer story.

Craft Supplies Needed:

• Straw/Rafia Hat
• Ribbons
• Shells, beads, fake flowers, etc.
• Glue