Remember Summer Forever with These “Goodbye Summer” DIY Keepsake Projects.
Summer flies by fast, but those special moments don’t have to fade away. DIY keepsake projects are a fun way for kids to hold onto their favorite memories before the season ends. Whether it’s a handprint craft, a photo collage, or a homemade memory book, these projects turn summer days into treasures you can keep forever. Here are 10 Easy “Goodbye Summer” DIY Keepsake Projects for Kids to try!
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Help kids capture summer memories with easy DIY keepsake projects! Try memory books, photo collages, and more simple crafts to say goodbye to summer.
10 Easy “Goodbye Summer” DIY Keepsake Projects for Kids
These crafts are easy, inexpensive, and perfect for kids of all ages. They’re a great way to reflect on adventures, favorite activities, and time spent with family and friends. Plus, making something tangible helps kids feel proud of their summer stories. It’s a creative way to slow down and celebrate the season.
No fancy supplies needed, just a little creativity and some simple materials from around the house. These keepsakes make wonderful gifts, decorations, or sweet reminders tucked safely on a shelf. Keep reading for easy DIY ideas that help kids say goodbye to summer with a smile!
1. Popsicle Stick Seashell Frames
Turn your child’s seashell collection into a keepsake with this easy summer popsicle stick craft by The Dragon Mama- just glue four popsicle sticks into a square and decorate with their favorite shells! It’s a fun, fine-motor–boosting afternoon project using only popsicle sticks, seashells, and glue.
2. Sea Glass Turtle Craft
Wrap up your summer by crafting sea glass salt-dough turtles- the perfect keepsake to remember beach days and sunshine. Kids of all ages can press colorful sea glass into hand-shaped turtle shells with this eco-friendly project from Red Ted Art. These mementos look adorable as pendants, magnets, or fridge decor.
3. Vacation Memory Book
Give summer its perfect send-off with a DIY Vacation Memory Book from Enchanted Learning. Kids can print and assemble a simple journal, complete with cover, daily trip diary, drawing prompts, packing lists, and “after trip” reflections, and personalize it with crayons or markers for a creative keepsake that captures the best moments in their own words and art.
4. Beach Photo Memory Jar
Add a touch of beachside nostalgia to your décor with this DIY beach photo memory jar from Artsy-Fartsy Mama. Simply tuck your favorite seaside snapshot into a clear jar, and layer in sand and seashells for a beautiful keepsake. It’s a heartwarming craft that beautifully captures vacation memories and looks charming displayed on any shelf.
5. Foam DIY Photo Album for Kids
Capture your child’s summer fun by crafting a colorful foam-sheet photo album- perfect for little hands to personalize with stickers, string, and their favorite snapshots. Follow this step-by-step from Family Focus Blog to create a keepsake that lets kids add a new picture each week, resulting in a heart‑warming mini album filled with bright memories and storytelling magic.
6. Make a Beach Memory Jar
This beach memory jar is the perfect way to relive your sun-soaked afternoons- just layer sand, seashells, and a favorite photo in a jar for a heartwarming souvenir. Check out the full memory jar tutorial at Hip Mama’s Place. No beach? No problem, you can make this creative DIY at home and finish the season with a personal keepsake that doubles as charming décor.
7. Summer Nature-Inspired Keepsake Box
Wrap up the season with a thoughtful creation: gather treasures like leaves, shells, stones, and pinecones during your outdoor adventures and house them in a repurposed box—each labeled with where and when they were found. Try this nature-inspired keepsake box idea from Kvaroy Arctic for a hands-on way to deepen a child’s environmental awareness while preserving memories from long summer days and starlit nights.
8. DIY Summer Memory Books
Capture the final rays of summer with this colorful DIY Kids Summer Memory Book project from DIY Adulation. Kids decorate foam scrapbooks, then fill them with photos, drawings, and keepsakes from their sunny days. It’s the perfect wrap‑up craft that preserves tiny moments and big adventures, creating a heartwarming montage to look back on for years to come.
9. Make Your Own Tactile Summer Memory Book
Wrap up the season with a heartwarming tactile memory book that blends sensory play and storytelling. Encourage little ones to collect natural treasures (like sticks, grass, or shells) and incorporate varied textures with this DIY tactile project from Wonder Baby. Kids can narrate their favorite summer moments—making a special book to share at school and cherish all year.
10. Summer Vacation Memory Craft for Kids
Create a vibrant keepsake with this adorable popsicle stick beach craft from Shelterness. Kids can paint sticks to form a colorful fence, craft a crab from seashells and pipe cleaners, and embellish the scene with foam sea creatures and bubbles. This tactile project is perfect for preserving sunny memories and adds a touch of coastal charm to any room.
Which of these goodbye summer kids crafts will your children enjoy the most?
You might also be interested in: 16 Ways to Turn Summer Souvenirs into DIY Home Decor
