Things seem to slow down in summer. The hurried pace that dominates much of the year takes a backseat to vacations, lounging around the pool, swimming in the ocean, and setting up tents at campsites.

When the weather is accommodating, there is a seemingly endless list of ways to enjoy time spent outdoors. However, inclement weather such as thunderstorms or rain may sometimes cause people to stay inside. On these days, children may make crafts using some of the following ideas.

A craft that has persisted for generations is the friendship bracelet. With some general craft supplies, such as embroidery thread, beads, plastic lanyards, or other jewelry-making materials, kids can make and share a variety of friendship bracelets.

Leather sewing kits are another option. Families can evoke the feelings of summer camp at home with leather sewing kits that enable everyone to make handcrafted leather wallets or small purses.

Children may also dye canvas shoes, bandanas or other accessories using commercially produced or homemade dyes. Those who want to make their own dyes may consider using teabags, berry juice, turmeric powder, or other items.

A variety of materials gathered from the outdoors can also be incorporated into crafts.

At the next beach excursion, pick up differently shaped shells to save for making seashell creatures. The shells can be painted and glued together to resemble different animals or whatever designs one can imagine.

Families may also gather sea glass remnants that washed up on beaches. An adult can use a very thin drill bit to make holes in the glass, and then the glass can be fed through earring hooks or chains to create one-of-a-kind jewelry.

Kids can have also fun gathering smooth pebbles from trails or at the shores of lakes. The pebbles can be painted with various designs or sweet sentiments and then left around the neighborhood for others to discover.

To make sun prints, people should gather natural items such as fern boughs, shells and feathers. They should visit a craft store for a special light-sensitive solution that can be painted onto thick craft paper. After painting the paper, set the natural items on top and let the sun do its work to create silhouettes of the nature items.

Natural items like twigs and feathers, along with other supplies such as yarn, can be used to make dreamcatchers, as well.

Summer craft ideas abound to keep everyone entertained all season long.