Kick Off Summer with 6 Summer Solstice Crafts That Celebrate the Season

The summer solstice, which arrives on June 20 this year, is the first official day of summer, and not only marks the start of the season, but also the day of the year with the most sunlight. Kick off summer by DIYing crafts that celebrate the season. From fruit decor to flowers, these summer solstice crafts are made from common supplies you probably already have at home. Plus, they help capture the colors and feelings of summertime, so you can transport yourself back to warmer days throughout the entire year.

1. Suncatchers

Make a DIY suncatcher to soak up rays throughout the year. While you can craft a suncatcher using beads, stones, and colored glass, one of the easiest ways is to use tissue paper.

Sandwich scraps of colorful tissue paper between two sheets of contact paper to make the translucent center. Cut the suncatcher into a circle, and, depending on the size, secure it in a Mason jar lid or embroidery hoop. Hang it in front of a window to illuminate the colors and celebrate the sun.

2. Painted Flower Pots

Paint pots for flowers that love the summer sun. Plain terracotta pots work as a blank canvas to let your creativity flow. After the painted pots are dry, if they'll be outside, coat the pot in a sealant to ensure the paint won't flake or chip away when exposed to the elements.

3. Summer Shadow Box

Capture the feeling of a sunny, summer day in a shadow box. Collect flowers, small stones, mementos from trips, and photos to place in your box. Once everything is secure inside, either hang it on an empty wall, add it to a gallery wall, or place it on a shelf to admire throughout the year.

4. Solar Tie-Dye

Solar dying is a tie-dying method that uses the sun's heat and light to make unique colors and patterns. To make the most of the sunshine and tie-dye a shirt, bag, tapestry, or towel, let the item soak in a mixture of soda ash and warm water for one hour. Then, twist and secure it with rubber bands before applying fiber-reactive dye. Lay the item in direct sunlight for 4 to 8 hours to create your one-of-a-kind pattern. Wash the item with cold water until it runs clear.

5. Citrus Garland

Summer is the season of bright, flavorful citrus fruits. Instead of making lemonade or a sweet dessert, use a few lemons, limes, and oranges to make a dried citrus garland. To dry the fruit, place slices on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet and bake them at 225°F for 3-4 hours. After the fruit slices are dried, string them on a fishing line with a thread and needles, and hang the garland around your home to bring the colors of summer inside.

6. Dried or Pressed Flowers

Preserve the beauty of summer by picking and drying or pressing wildflowers or flowers from your garden. To dry flowers, hang them upside down in a dark room until fully dry. To press flowers, place bulbs between two pieces of parchment paper and keep pressed in the pages of a heavy book for two to three weeks or until flat.

Place dried flowers in a vase around your home to create a bouquet that won't wilt. Or, if you're working with pressed flowers, use them as DIY wall decor, resin coasters, scrapbook with them, or adhere them to pillar candles with craft glue.