6 Summer Lettering Activities for Kids
Summer holidays are officially here. We just got home from an incredible 3 weeks in Orlando, where each day was filled with lots of ice cream, rides and making magical memories with the kids. Now were home, and (nearly) over the jet lag, the remainder of the holiday however is likely to be a combination of snack requests and the daily question of "what can we do today?". So if you’re looking for some low-pressure, screen-free creative ideas to enjoy with your little ones then here are some simple calligraphy-inspired activities that are perfect for summer days at home.
Bubble Letter Names.
Grab some pens and let your child bubble-letter their name in bright colours. Depending on their age, you can either sketch it out for them or help them trace it, or let them have a go freehand, then they can decorate each letter with doodles, stickers, glitter glue - whatever they like. They could use it as a way to express all the different things they love, plus it’s a great way to introduce letterforms in a playful way.
How many styles?
Start with a letter at a time, and experiment with as many ways as you can think of to write the letter in a different way. For example, if the letter was made of jelly how could it look, or what about if it was a fluffy cloud, or a sharp rock.
Letter Doodles.
Start by creating bubble letters and then decorate them with doodles. You can keep it simple by decorating them with spots, stripes and fancy borders, or you can get creative and try doodling with topics. For example add some cute eyes to each letter to turn them into a different character/friendly monster, turn letters into animals or themes related to the letter (for example decorate a B into a bee) - which is a great way to explore spellings. You can also use this activity as a way to explore different emotions. How could you make the letter look happy, sad, angry or confused?
Water Painting.
This is a great way to practice making letter forms without making any mess. Grab a pot of water and some paintbrushes, and head outside and start painting letters with the water on your driveway or patio. This is a great activity for younger kids.
Bookmarks.
Why not create a custom bookmark to go with all of their summer reading. Older kids could try their hand at writing their name in a beginner calligraphy style, or younger kids could use bubble or rainbow lettering using bright felt-tip pens or crayons. If you have a laminator you could laminate them to protect them for longer.
Make Happy Summer Postcards Together.
Create mini postcards about their holidays, or just a friendly note with encouraging words like “You’re amazing!” or “Smile today” that they can post to friends or family. It’s a great way to blend creativity with kindness, plus kids love the ability to pop things in a postbox!
Lastly...
It's important to remember the goal isn’t perfect letters or Pinterest-worthy projects. Lettering activities with kids is a fun way to explore their creativity. It can also be a great way to teach them how to be mindful from a young age.
I'd love to see what you get up to over the summer, so please share them over on Instagram or TikTok tagging me @Lettersbyjenni
Happy lettering,
About
It was after picking up a pencil in 2017 during her battle with post-natal depression that Jenni found her love for lettering. Now, Jenni is passionate on spreading joy and positivity through her art as well as promoting positive mental health for all.
Information
Need someone to talk to?
Mind – 0300 102 1234 (9am–6pm weekdays)
Samaritans – 116 123 (free, 24/7)
Copyright © 2026 Letters by Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
Website Design and Build by Jenni Cabrelli Studio