Summer Crafts!
Summer’s rollin’ in with its sunny days and plenty of time for the little ones to explore their creative sides, especially with fun summer crafts for kids with additional or special needs!
CRAFTING FOR EVERY CHILD!
Crafting is the name of the game, and the best part is that it can be adapted for kids with additional or special needs.
It’s all about having fun, keeping it budget-friendly, and making sure every child can join in and get creative.
WHAT TOOLS?
Make sure to have a variety of tools on hand that are within easy reach. Think things like chunky paintbrushes, big pieces of paper and not-toxic glue.
WHERE TO CRAFT.
Creating a space where kids are comfortable and excited is the first step. Pick a spot that’s easy to clean and has plenty of natural light.
Your living room or kitchen table can become a studio for masterpieces!
TIME TO CHECK-OUT YOUR RECYCLING!
Affordable crafting starts by looking at what you’ve already got at home. Old newspapers, cardboard boxes, and plastic bottles can turn into something amazing with a splash of imagination.
Not only is this cost-effective, but it also teaches kids about sustainability by recycling old materials.
TOUCHING AND APPLYING PAINT, GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR KIDS WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS!
The magic of crafting is that it adapts as your child does. Maybe today it’s all about finger painting and tomorrow it’s cutting and pasting with all the flair of a mini Picasso.
Variety allows kids to explore different skills and discover what makes them light up.
ADJUST TO SUIT KIDS WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS!
What makes summer crafting special is all the ways you can make it engaging for kids with various abilities. Adjust activities to suit their needs, whether it’s through tactile experiences or visual ones.
The goal is a creative space where kids feel empowered to express themselves and enjoy the process.
Sensory-Friendly Activities: Innovating with Recycled Materials. Making it extra fun for kids with additional or special needs!
GETTING THEIR HANDS DIRTY!
Kids love getting their hands dirty, and paint is one of the best ways to do that. Think beyond the paintbrush.
Let them use sponges, fingers, or even splatter paint across a canvas. The chaos of colourful splashes not only excites them but also works wonders for sensory exploration.
RUBBISH WITH POTENTIAL!
Looking around the house, you’d be amazed by what can transform into a craft project. An empty cereal box? Now, a castle wall. Plastic bottle caps? Perfect for mosaic tiles.
These recyclables offer endless possibilities for building and creating something brand new. It’s all about seeing potential in the ordinary, and trust me, it’s quite a thrill for both you and the kids.
IN-TOUCH WItH SENSES!
Crafts that are all about feeling different textures and hearing the crunch or snap of materials get kids engaged on multiple levels. Imagine the satisfaction in peeling dried glue off wax paper or the crinkle of cellophane. It’s these sensory elements that make crafting an experience rather than just an activity.
LEARN HOW TO MIX!
Bringing crafts to life with recyclables isn’t just about the final product; it’s the journey of experimenting and learning along the way. Encourage kids to mix and match materials, combine crazy colours, and tell their own unique stories through the art they create.
Creative Collaborations: Craft Ideas, Tips, and Resources for Parents who have kids with additional or special needs.
When it comes to crafting, a quick visual guide can do wonders. Seeing the craft come together step-by-step is super helpful, and it can spark more ideas for projects.
Whether you’re piecing together a paper plate sun or turning egg cartons into caterpillars, breaking it down into easy stages helps manage focus and excitement.
PRAISE KIDS EFFORTS!
Offering a few art-making tips can make the creative process smoother and more enjoyable.
Encourage kids to take breaks if a project feels overwhelming and celebrate every effort, no matter how big or small.
Emphasise that there’s no “right” or “wrong” in art—every creation is unique, just like every child.
PLACES TO GO WITH GREAT DEALS!
And because no one should have to spend big to have fun, I’ve got some go-to places for affordable craft supplies.
Websites like Poundfun, BargainMax or Etsy offer great deals, especially for fun, branded toys and funky materials.
Don’t forget about Kids Pass, which can lead to other family-friendly discounts on craft activities and enjoyable adventures!
HAVE FUN AND LEARN.
Crafting can bring so much joy, laughter, and learning into your summer without stretching your budget.
Every bit of creativity helps kids see the world in vibrant new colors, and there’s nothing better than seeing those proud grins at the end of a fun day of art.
MY INTENTION!
I have at least two ideas in mind that would be great activities for children with additional or special needs.
Although there are more than just two ideas, I have picked these that address sight, smell, touch, and are just fun to play with!
They would cover, different sensory areas, and I have myself had fun in the process!,
HERE’S WHAT I HAVE IN MIND!
- A touchy-feeling activity that means gathering anything that you have lying about that feels different to the touch. A fun sensory collage of any animal, fish or tree.
- Getting down to having a bit of outside fun, that’s a messy but has that Wow factor! Creating foamy worms out of shaving foam and 2 ordinary plastic flower pots!
So, are you ready to dive into our Summer craft for kids with additional needs? Let’s go!
A SENSORY COLLAGE!
RESOURCES.
1 large rectangular-shaped packaging card.
A picture of a dog, fish, tree or any shape. (for reference)
An array of different resources, eg, bubble wrap, sand paper, foil mirror, coloured wrapping, corrugated card, felt fabric. buttons, feathers, glittered pipe cleaners and anything with a different texture.
Scissors/Glue stick/double-sided tape/hot wax.
SO LET’S START CRAFTING!
This is the second activity, which is best setting up outside in the garden area, or inside but cover floor with plastic or a towel, as it can get rather messy!
FOAMY WORMS!
RESOURCES.
2 medium-sized flower pots with holes on the underside.
A piece of plastic enough to cover the bottom of one pot with some sellotape to stick it to the pot.
1 can of cheap shaving foam.
An outside messy tray or table.
LET’S GET GOING!
SOME TIPS!
Everything is self-explanatory. These activities are quick and easy to set up, you choose one, you think would be the most suited to your child’s ability and then gather your resources!
You could challenge your child and do both, maybe each one on a different day. The fun part is that they can do them again and again!
SENSORY COLLAGE.
- Decide what you want the image to be. I decided on a dog shape, and drew it on a large packaging card and allowing for a large area so that you can stick a variety of different materials within the outline of the dog.
- Although you can choose any subject, it can be a simple shape like a circle, triangle, star, a fish or a tree.
FOAMY WORMS
- For the foamy worms, I recommend setting a tray or table outside, as it can get very messy. It’s useful to have a kids’ apron, or an old t/shirt to hand, especially if your kids start to clap their hands and get overexcited!
Hey there, when you click on links in this post and you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission that l can use towards resources (other than throw-outs) for project making within my website😀
DISCOVER THE BEST SENSORY TOYS, ACTIVITIES & DEALS FOR KIDS!
I’ve rounded up a few of my favourite finds from trusted brands and marketplaces that offer amazing options.
With engaging and sensory-friendly toys and activities for your little ones, there are some fantastic places to explore!
Whether you’re after unique handcrafted pieces, budget-friendly toys, or exciting family days out. Check them out!
Find Unique & Specialised Sensory items!
If you’re searching for unique, handmade sensory toys or calming kits for kids, Etsy is the perfect place to explore.
A RANGE OF SENSORY TOYS!
From handmade fidget tools and textured play kits to personalised sensory boxes, you’ll find products created by passionate makers who understand the needs of sensory play.
EXPLORING ALL SENSES!
These one-of-a-kind finds are perfect for children who enjoy exploring different textures, sounds, and sensations.
🌟 Tip: Look out for keywords like handmade sensory toys or “personalised calming kits” when browsing — it helps you uncover the most creative items.
Affordable Sensory Toys for all ages!
PoundFun is a fantastic option if you’re looking for budget-friendly sensory toys for autism without compromising on fun.
From soft-touch stress balls and textured fidget toys to interactive craft kits, their range is perfect for sparking curiosity while keeping little hands busy.
With prices starting from just £1, it’s easy to build a collection of toys that encourage sensory exploration and creative play.
🌟 Tip: PoundFun often updates its sensory toy collection, so it’s worth checking back regularly for new arrivals and seasonal offers.
Popular Sensory-Friendly Brands in one place!
BargainMax is home to some of the most popular sensory-friendly toys and activities on the market — perfect for birthdays, gifting, or everyday play.
From well-loved brands like LEGO, Play-Doh, and Crayola to specialist fidget toys and calming kits, there’s something for every age and ability. Plus, their regular deals make it easy to pick up high-quality toys at great prices.
🌟 Tip: Use search terms like “sensory toys” or “fidget kits” on BargainMax to quickly find items that encourage tactile and sensory development.
Discover sensory-friendly toys at BargainMax
Sensory-Friendly Family Days Out!
Kids Pass is a fantastic way for families to enjoy affordable days out and activities across the UK. You’ll find discounts on theme parks, attractions, soft play centres, cinemas, and more.
YOUR CHOICE ALL THE WAY!
Kids Pass gives parents the flexibility to choose the outings that work best for their children’s individual needs.
It’s a great option for planning fun family experiences while saving money on tickets and memberships.
Explore family deals with Kids Pass!
TO CONCLUDE!
Summer has come and nearly gone, like every season, and we should enjoy and cherish our unpredictable English weather, getting outside and doing all the things weather allows us to with our kids!
ADDRESSING KIDS NEEDS!
This is an opportunity to find interesting activities keeping our kids busy, entertaining them, making it fun, enjoyable and reaching those additional needs by experimenting, adapting and exploring anything that comes to mind, through crafting!
SUSTAINABILITY IS A PLUS!
Upcycling any of your recycling is an added plus, so it’s not only affordable but also being inventive and at the same time being kind to our planet!
I looked around and picked up what I thought would work as a feelie touchy activity. I save large packaging and put it aside, then I can use the brown part to draw on.
LET KIDS BE FREE!
Putting all the resources on a table and starting your kids off, then let them improvise on what they come up with. They may surprise you with what they can do on their own, making the task at hand unique to them!
FINAL THOUGHT!
I only show two ideas from what’s possible. I hope I have inspired you to use or adapt any one of them.
For example, you could add food colour to the foam, making colourful foamy worms. A great way to entertain or just have lots of spectacular fun!
Here is a quick video of my grandson demonstrating the foamy worms and getting carried away!
What kids don’t like playing with foam! It covers so many elements. Here, we have the touching sensation from squiggy, mushy, squelchy, wet, smooth, gooey, cold, a great fun, messy, sensory experience!
Hi Julia,
Another inspirational article for kids this summer.
Helping kids think up new and fun ideas to work on during the summer is so important, especially for when they go back to school in September. Keeping their minds occupied with fun and educational tasks can only be good.
I have shared this article with my friends as they have a 5 year old who is autistic, and he could benefit from getting stuck into some of the exercises you describe above with his older brother who is 8 and very intelligent.
I will let you know how they go and what my friends think.
Keep up the amazing work.
All the best,
Tom
I’m so glad you liked this article. Summer holidays for many parents can be tough especially trying to find different ways to keep their kids busy. I found these two activities a great escape for many kids, whatever their needs are. One to keep kids calm and relaxed to create, and the other just letting them loosen up and get mucky in a good way lol! Your choice.
Thanks for stopping by and I’m glad you can share any of these activities, just in time before kids go back to school!
Julia.