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Pair these lighthouse crafts with your favorite books about lighthouses for some book-based summer fun! Perfect for all ages.
A few years ago, I discovered The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge by Hildegarde H. Swift and Lynd Ward. It sparked an interest in lighthouses for my kids and myself. We were so excited to visit real lighthouses on our next beach vacation to the Outer Banks.

Are you planning a trip to the shore this year? Or, are you just fascinated with this amazing structures?
Either way, your kids will love these lighthouse crafts that will help kids work on skills such as cutting, gluing, and more.
Lighthouse crafts
Kids love crafting. And, when you can pair a craft with an awesome picture book, that’s even better. These crafts will help you engage your students in some wonderful books about lighthouses.
Lighthouse Crafts
Paper Cup Lighthouse Light-up Craft
Have loads of fun with this paper cup lighthouse which lights up too. Simple to make, your child will love switching on the light and imagining it guiding ships at sea.
Mini Lighthouse Craft
This mini lighthouse craft is perfect for little ones to make. They'll love decorating their lighthouse with decorative tape.
Tape Resist & Silhouette Lighthouse
Combine a few different techniques to create this lovely tape resist and silhouette lighthouse. The free printable template makes it a breeze.
Lighthouse Art for Kids
You won't believe how easy it is to create this 3D lighthouse craft for kids. They'll love putting this one on display.

Lighthouse Crafts for Kids
How to Make a Paper Lighthouse
Recycle an old oatmeal or bread crumbs container to use as the base of this paper lighthouse.
Lighthouse Craft: Summer Foam Lighthouse
Transform a styrofoam cone into a gorgeous lighthouse with this step-by-step tutorial.
Lighthouse Kids Craft
This lighthouse kids craft was inspired by Yaquina Head Lighthouse, but you can change it to match your favorite lighthouse.
How to Draw a Lighthouse
Follow this tutorial to learn how to draw a lighthouse on an island with plenty of room to add some ships in the surrounding water.
Children’s Books About Lighthouses
Below, I’ve featured just a handful of lighthouse books that will help your kids understand more about these structures and their benefits to life along the shore.
You should be able to find them at your local library or bookstore. If you can’t find them locally, you can click each image cover to purchase them on Amazon.
Lighthouse Dog to the Rescue – Pauline, the lighthouse keeper’s daughter, is proud of her pet spaniel because he is helpful and clever and a friend to all. But even Pauline does not realize just how brave and loyal Spot is until the night a terrible blizzard hits and a boat is missing out in the storm.
The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge – On the Manhattan bank of the Hudson River, a small lighthouse–made of steel and painted bright red–proudly protects boats with his faithful beam. One day a great expanse of gray steel, which also shines a bright light into the fog and darkness, is built over it. The little red lighthouse feels insignificant and useless in comparison but soon learns that . . . small can be mighty!
Lighthouse – This beautifully illustrated storybook tells the tale of an old man who embarks on a journey at sea. While on his voyage, he encounters a mighty storm and becomes scared, lost, and tired. Through the darkness, a lighthouse calls to him and guides him to an extraordinary place where he is reminded of the beautiful things that make life worth living.

Round Out Your Unit with These Activities:
Add a lighthouse LEGO set to your hands-on learning area, and kids can build their own 3D version.
These adorable wooden beach play accessories are ready to be added to any ocean or summer small world, felt playscape or sensory bin.
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