How to Create a Summer Planner in Canva + planner, printable planner, free planner, canva template, free templates

Rea Weeks
Jun 2
2 min read

Create your own beautiful and functional summer-themed planner using Canva! Whether you want a daily, weekly, or monthly planner, this guide will walk you through designing a vibrant, customizable planner that keeps you organized all season long.

Step 1: Set Up Your Canva Workspace

Log in to your Canva account (or create a free one if you don’t have it yet).
Click Create a design and select US Letter (8.5 x 11 in) or A4 size, which works well for printing planners.
Name your project something like “Summer Planner 2025.”

Step 2: Choose a Color Palette & Theme

Click on Elements > Photos or Backgrounds and search for “summer” for inspiration (think sunshine, beaches, tropical leaves).
Alternatively, create your own color palette: warm yellows, ocean blues, fresh greens, coral pinks.
Use the Color Picker tool to add your chosen colors to the palette in Canva’s toolbar for easy access.

Step 3: Design the Planner Cover

Start with a blank page.
Add a rectangle or shape element to create a background. Fill it with your main summer color.
Add a text box for the title, e.g., “Summer Planner 2025” — choose a fun, summery font like Pacifico or Lobster.
Add summer-themed graphics: sun icons, palm leaves, waves — search Elements for these and place them tastefully around the cover.

Step 4: Create Monthly/Daily Planner Pages

Add a new page for each planner section you want (monthly overview, weekly layouts, daily pages).
For a monthly calendar:
- Insert a grid from Elements or create your own using squares.
- Label each day and leave space for notes.
For weekly/daily pages:
- Add sections for “To Do,” “Goals,” “Notes,” and “Appointments.”
- Use lines or boxes to organize tasks clearly.

Step 5: Add Decorative Elements

Search for summer icons like ice cream, sunglasses, flip-flops, or flowers in Elements and sprinkle them lightly throughout your pages for a playful vibe.
Use frames to add photos or mood images related to summer.
Try layering shapes with transparency for a soft, summery look.

Step 6: Incorporate Functional Features

Add checkboxes or small circles for task lists.
Include motivational summer quotes in text boxes — e.g., “Hello Sunshine!” or “Make Waves.”
Add page numbers and footer text like your website or brand name for a professional touch.

Step 7: Review and Customize

Go through each page to check alignment, spacing, and consistency in fonts and colors.
Duplicate pages if you want multiple weeks or days with the same layout.
Customize any text placeholders to your liking.

Step 8: Download and Print

Click Share > Download.
Choose PDF Print for high quality if you plan to print your planner.
Save your file and either print it at home or send it to a professional printer.

Bonus Tips:

Save your planner as a Canva template to reuse or sell.
Create matching planner stickers or covers as additional printable products.
Use Canva’s Animate feature to make a short video preview of your planner for social media promotion.

Designing your own summer-themed planner in Canva is fun and customizable to your style. Give it a try and enjoy an organized, bright, and inspired summer!