37 Outdoor DIYs to Kick Up Your Summertime Crafting

Light up the long summer nights with the help of these vintage-feeling lanterns. Not only is this a simple craft that packs a big design punch, but these lanterns can be created for next to nothing as well, which makes them that much more appealing.

Make It: How to Make Tin Can Lanterns

Now that coolers are becoming more fashionable than utilitarian, it's time to up your cooler game! Make your next picnic pop with this super stylish, customized cooler. A little decoupage glue, some paper and polyurethane take an inexpensive cooler from boring to beautiful. Get crafting on your own cooler, below.

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. So, when life gives you long summer days, you make — you guessed it, a lemonade stand. This easy-to-DIY portable lemonade stand is ready to travel wherever your kiddo's first business venture takes them! Quench your summertime thirst with our helpful video, below.

Once you take down your Holiday wreath, your front door looks a little naked. So, why not throw up a warm-weather wreath for summer? This faux lavender and eucalyptus wreath is the perfect DIY summer accessory for any front door. Dress up your door with our helpful how-to, below.

Even if you have a small deck or patio, you can still enjoy lots of lush greenery. Take advantage of vertical space by hanging potted plants from this DIY living wall. As the plants grow, they’ll also provide privacy for your outdoor living area. Get out your green thumb and get started, below.

Get your camera out because crafting this kiddie car wash is sure to result in some adorable photo ops. This clever car wash uses PVC pipes so you can set it up when you want and quickly disassemble it for easy storage. Wash and learn with the adorable video, below.

Those warm summer nights just got a whole lot brighter! Your little scientist will love mixing up this glow-in-the-dark spray chalk almost as much as they'll love playing with it. All it takes is some washable neon paint, cornstarch and warm water to make the mix, but don't forget the blacklight to bring it to life. Mix up your own with our video, below.

Stop searching for the perfect summer doormat, because we've found it. By using our provided templates, you can craft a cute coir doormat that will brighten up your guest's faces every time they see it. Want a more personal touch? Pick up a pack of stencils and say exactly what you want. Get started with our helpful how-to, below.

You know what your back porch is missing? A hanging outdoor bar. Well, that is unless you already have one. If not, we've got everything you need to build your own out of inexpensive pallet wood so you and your friends can start the summer off right. Crack open our helpful how-to below to get started.

This just in: outdoor furniture is shockingly expensive! Instead of draining your accounts in order to relax on your patio, try your hand at crafting your own. With pallet wood, you'd be surprised how easy it is to DIY your own stylish furniture on a budget. Pair your creation with outdoor cushions and pillows for the ultimate relaxation spot. Get building with our pro tips, below.

If you've ever seen those modern glass fire pits, then you understand the visual impact they have on an outdoor space. They're cozy, warm and oh-so-beautiful! However, they can be a little pricey, so we've come up with an easy version that will make every summer night s'mores night. Light your fire with our video, below.

Get scientific with your kiddos this summer by crafting these so-cute sun prints. This clever craft uses sun-sensitive photographic paper (find it in the kid's science section in your local craft store) and a few other craft materials to create solar works of art. Frame them, hang them on the fridge or create a sun print scrapbook. The choice is yours and we've got a helpful how-to, below.

Got a flat spot in your yard? Then you have the perfect spot for a bocce ball court. This scaled-down bocce ball court is perfect for any size yard and can easily be made in one weekend using common tools and easy-to-find building supplies. Put your DIY skills to the test this weekend with our pro tips, below.

For kids, pool days are all about fun. So, why should your little one have to settle for a boring towel? Use your crafting skills to give them a towel they'll want to dry off with. With some felt and a sewing machine, this quick craft turns a standard bath towel into a truly terrifying shark towel that they'll love to show off. Bite into this how-to, below.

These pressed flower lanterns are the perfect glowing addition to a warm summer’s eve under the stars. They're easy and cost almost nothing to make. Plus, you can use them to preserve your favorite summer flowers even after the blooms have passed. Learn how to press your best blooms with our helpful tips, below.

Get bendy with pool noodles to create a custom course that gets kids moving and giggling! Just stake dowels into the ground and slide the noodle over them in various ways to create all types of fun obstacles. Find more fun ways to play with pool noodles, below.

There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned plank-and-rope swing. These classic backyard staples are as easy to DIY as they look and can be completed in an afternoon. So, what are you waiting for? We've got everything you need to know in the how-to, below.

Go big or go home, right? If you have multiple children and want to avoid the taking-your-turn conversation, maybe you should just opt for a full-size swing set. This A-frame swing set is geared toward the more audacious DIY-ers, but the end result is as fun as it is beautiful. Put your building skills to the test with our pro tips, below.

Don't forget your four-legged friend when you break out the frozen treats this summer! Unfortunately, most frozen novelties aren't suited for a pup's stomach, but this simple DIY frozen dog treat is. By crafting these yourself, you can ensure you are only giving your best friend dog-friendly foods. Whip up your own with our tasty tips, below.

Nothing sounds better than a warm Friday night spent watching movies in the backyard. If this sounds like a pipe dream, we've got good news. DIYing your own outdoor movie screen is easier than it sounds. And projectors? They're cheaper than ever! Get ready for summer movie nights with our video, below.

Create a shiny copper garden feature while simultaneously ridding yourself of those slime-slinging slugs. For an added bonus, it will only cost a few pennies to make!

Make It: Make a Slug-Repelling Penny Ball for Your Garden

Paint drips have never looked so pretty. Bring a fresh new look to any outdoor space by sprucing up all those plain pots that are just lying around.

Don't let a rainy day keep you down. Create this outdoor craft easily in one afternoon, and reap the rain chain benefits all season long.

Make It: DIY Terra-Cotta Rain Chain

Simple water features don't have to break the time or money bank. Enhance a deck's, porch's or backyard's relaxation potential with this unique DIY.

Make It: Dress Up Any Outdoor Space With a DIY Fountain

Need a unique way to display your house number? This terra-cotta tower should do the trick. A few hours and some old terra-cotta pots will completely rejuvenate the look of your porch.

Make It: Terra-Cotta Tower House Number Display

There always seem to be excess tomato cages hanging around. Why not turn them into something creative and useful? A few simple steps can transform a former plant companion into a foliage support system.

Make It: 3 Fun Ways to Take Tomato Cages From Practical to Pretty

Sweet, sweet summertime. Add to the scrumptiousness of summer produce with these adorably delicious lanterns created from Mason jars. Add citronella-scented pods, and they can double as bug-repelling jars.

Make It: DIY Mason Jar Fruit Lanterns

Try this new take on your house number: modern planters. Not only will it bring some foliage life to a front stoop, but it will also showcase your address in a whole new way.

Make It: DIY Modern House Number Planters

Super-size your fun this summer with a giant backyard game. Adults and kiddos alike are certain to get a kick out of this larger-than-life version of tic-tac-toe.

Make It: Giant Outdoor Tic-Tac-Toe With Hula Hoops

Feed the birds, and do your environmental duty. Create a beautiful birdfeeder out of recycled bottles, and you may even become a bird-watching fanatic.

Make It: DIY Bird Feeder From Recycled Bottles

Take those chaise lounges from tired to tropical, and breathe new life into your outdoor space without having to spend a fortune. You can update those old wooden lounge chairs in a few simple steps with the help of this DIY.

Make It: Give a Tired Outdoor Wood Chair a Tropical Update

A few spare minutes is all you need to create these bug-ridding torches that will help you enjoy your outdoor space all season long.

Make It: Turn Old Glass Bottles Into Citronella Torches

Yet another use for inexpensive pallets, and this one is a definite win. Forget those plain planters for the season, and create lively, colorful plant boxes in a few simple steps with the help of this DIY.

Make It: Upcycle Old Pallets Into Colorful Planter Boxes

Rustic, hand-stamped herb pots are just what the craft doctor ordered. The perfect front porch garden addition, these uniquely crafted pots are a wonderful afternoon pick-me-up craft that is certain to be a hit all summer long.

Make It: How to Make Hand-Stamped Terra-Cotta Herb Planters

Kick up your backyard's fun factor with this giant kerplunk game, which is sure to entertain kids and adults all summer long.

Make It: Kerplunk Into Summer With This Giant Yard Game

If you have mixed emotions about bugs, this adorable bug hotel may be just the thing to bring you over to the bug side. With the help of your kiddos, create an environment that those helpful critters can inhabit all summer long.

Make It: How to Build a Bug Hotel