Craft Corner - Summer Ideas | Royal Rangers USA

During my years teaching at a day care/preschool and teaching elementary Sunday school classes, I found that boys liked to create craft projects just as much as the girls. In the summer, many parts of the country have many nights that they are not able to go outside for activities due to heat advisories. Below are several craft ideas for your Ranger Kids and Discovery Rangers groups to do on those hot nights. There are a couple of crafts that are just too good, so I decided to keep them from previous articles.

RANGER KIDS

I tried to select craft projects that K–2^nd graders could complete with little individual supervision. If you are the only leader with several boys, you will need crafts that boys can work on with some independence, allowing you to focus on the younger boys in the class.

Paper Plate Ice Cream Sundae

I know this will seem like lots of supplies, but they are basic supplies that most churches may have. You’ll need paper plates, cardstock or construction paper (various colors for ice cream), scissors, cotton swabs, paint brushes (small foam), paint (two different shades of brown), crayons, markers, glue sticks, embellishments (glitter, glitter glue, sequins, mini pom poms, etc.), and red pom poms (medium). Don’t forget those paint shirts. Personally, if I had a larger class of boys or I was the only leader, I would have the boys color the plates with brown crayons and make the cone stripes with brown markers. I’ve also provided an ice cream scoop template. This can be printed on various colors of paper, or you can use white paper and have the boys color them. The boys will have a good time assembling their sundaes.

https://craftingafunlife.com/paper-plate-ice-cream-craft-for-kids/

Template: https://superstarworksheets.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IceCreamConeScoops_cutout.pdf

DISCOVERY RANGERS

I tried to select craft projects that 3^rd–5^th graders could complete with little supervision. If you are the only leader with several boys, you will need crafts that boys can work on with some independence, allowing you to focus on the boys who may need extra help.

Pom Pom Ice Cream Cones

You’ll need yarn (various colors), scissors, cotton balls, red pom poms, brown construction paper, burlap (optional), and a glue gun. Of course, you’ll need to help the boys with the glue gun. The website below has great step-by-step instructions on how to make each ice cream scoop. It even shows how to make scoops that look like they have fudge on top or chocolate mixed throughout.

https://onelittleproject.com/pom-pom-ice-cream-cones/

Pom Pom Ice Cream

RANGER KIDS & DISCOVERY RANGERS

Water Gun Painting

All of the websites I found on water gun painting showed it with younger kids. I think any boy would love to shoot paint onto paper with a water gun. Because I’m thrifty, I modified the supplies from this website to be more suitable for a classroom of boys. You’ll need tempra paint, water guns, plastic containers of water, cardstock or construction paper (white), easles (optional), and dropcloths (optional). You’ll need to dilute the tempera paint with water. The plastic containers need to be large enough for two or three boys to fill their water guns at the same time. This is definitely an outside an activity, so you may need a drop cloth if your church doesn’t want paint on the grass. You may want to or be able to set up some type of easle system. If not, the boys could put the cardstock on the ground to shoot with the water guns. When they pick up their art projects, they will get that dripping effect, depending on how wet their papers are.

https://www.somewhatsimple.com/fun-summer-art-project-water-gun-painting/

Water Gun Painting

Pool Noodle Monsters

Using any color pool noodles, googly eyes, pom poms, bendy straws, pipe cleaners, ribbon, scissors, and hot glue to create these unique but adorable monsters will be great fun for all your boys. The best thing about this project is that every project is meant to be unique. You will probably want to precut the pool noodles before class. Of course, you will need to help the boys with the hot glue.

https://www.createcraftlove.com/pool-noodle-monsters/

GAMES

Sponge Water Bombs

Use any color sponge, scissors, and fishing line to create these sponge bombs that any of the boys in your outpost will enjoy making and enjoy using even more. This might be a great activity to include the Girls Ministries clubs and have a water night activity during the summer.

https://www.houseofhepworths.com/2011/05/16/sponge-water-bombs/

SNACK IDEAS

These are great snack ideas for Ranger Kids and Discovery Rangers. These would work well for a party or a regular outpost meeting.

Chocolate Covered Banana Pops

This is an easy snack that you can make with boys of any age. You’ll need bananas, craft sticks, chocolate chips, chopped peanuts (optional), glass bowl, rubber spatula, parchment paper, and baking tray. Remember to check on any allergies your boys may have. Make sure when you are melting the chocolate chips to microwave them for 15-20 seconds at a time. If you microwave them for longer periods, the chocolate will break apart or dry out. The link below had a great video tutorial. I’ve also added a link to a magic shell recipe if you don’t want to wait for the chocolate to set.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/chocolate-covered-banana-pops-recipe-2013098

Magic Shell: https://www.thekitchn.com/magic-shell-recipe-23047252

Choco Banana Pop

Fruit & Yogurt Parfaits

This is another easy snack to make with the boys. I love this because every parfait will be different. You’ll need vanilla yogurt, granola, and fresh berries. Remember to check on any allergies your boys may have. Starting with the yogurt, have the boys layer the ingredients in their cups. It is that simple.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/yogurt-and-fruit-parfaits-recipe-1940127

Parfaits

Watermelon Pizza

You’ll need cream cheese, Greek yogurt, orange juice, powdered sugar, fresh fruit, watermelon cut in rounds, plastic knives, and paper plates. If you only have time to assemble and eat the snack, then you’ll want to make the cream cheese glaze (pizza sauce) and cut the watermelon into rounds and wedges at home. Give each boy a plate with a wedge of watermelon, sauce, and fresh fruit. Have them assemble their watermelon pizzas and eat it.

https://www.momontimeout.com/watermelon-pizza-recipe/

Watermelon Pizza