As the days get longer and summer heats up, kids excitedly await their three months of sunshine-filled days. But after a few weeks of playing in the backyard and watching TV all day, your wee ones are bound to start getting restless for activities that keep them entertained.
From outdoor activities like camping and swimming to indoor projects like cooking or arts & crafts, there's no shortage of fun ways to spend this summer with your children that will engage their minds, bodies, and imaginations. With just a bit of creativity, you can plan some super fun things that are sure to make your kids smile from ear to ear and give them lasting memories they'll cherish forever.
Get ready for an action-packed season with these entertaining summer activities!
6 Outdoor kids summer activities
Summer is the perfect time to get kids to spend time outdoors and indulge in fun-filled outdoor activities. With the beautiful weather and warm sunshine, there is a multitude of summer activities for kids to enjoy
1. Fly kites
Summer is the perfect time for flying kites with kids. The warm weather and clear skies provide the ideal backdrop for outdoor activities. Not only is kite flying a fun way to spend time with your children, but it also encourages them to get outside and be physically active. As they run and chase after the kite, they are developing their gross motor skills and strengthen their legs.
Additionally, kite flying can also be a great opportunity to teach your children about wind and weather patterns. With so many different types of kites available, from simple single-line designs to more intricate multi-line models, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, you can even make your own kite at home!
So, grab some snacks and get ready for some summer fun in your local park.
2. Stargazing
With longer nights, one of the best summer ideas is to grab some blankets and head outside to explore the night sky. To make the experience even more exciting for your little ones, consider investing in an inexpensive telescope or binoculars. You can also make it a fun learning experience by pointing out constellations and discussing the myths and legends behind them.
Extra tip: download a stargazing app to help you identify celestial objects and even provide cool facts about them.
3. Explore the city
If your city has museums, parks, aquariums, a county fair, or even a local library, organize a field trip with your kiddo and explore all of those places. You can make a schedule and go around the city to learn about its landmarks and have some fun outside.
If you’re staying in your hometown during the summer, invite friends and have an adventure in your own city. This is a great activity for the older kids!
4. Go camping
There’s no doubt that camping is the most fun summer activity to do in the summer! Camping provides an opportunity for children to disconnect from technology and engage in physical activities such as hiking or fishing. It allows them to connect with nature and learn about the environment around them. It also fosters a sense of independence and responsibility as they assist with setting up camp, cooking meals, and maintaining tents. Camping can promote quality family time and strengthen bonds between family members. It also provides a low-cost vacation option and can create lasting memories for years to come.
However, before you hit the campgrounds, be sure to plan accordingly to ensure a successful trip. First and foremost, make sure you choose a family-friendly campground that offers plenty of activities for kids, such as hiking trails, swimming areas, and playgrounds. It's also important to choose the right camping gear, including a spacious tent, comfortable sleeping pads, and cooking supplies that make mealtime a breeze. Finally, don't forget to pack plenty of sunscreen and bug spray to keep your family safe from the potential hazards of spending time outdoors.
Extra tip: bring plenty of games and books to keep everyone entertained during downtime.
5. Make a lemonade stand
As the temperatures rise and summer sets in, nothing beats the refreshing taste of a classic glass of lemonade. Especially when it's served from a lemonade stand run by some enthusiastic kids.
Not only is it a great way to cool down, but it's also an opportunity to support young entrepreneurs and teach them the value of hard work and creativity. From squeezing the lemons to setting up the stand, it's a fun activity for the whole family to get involved.
Plus, making it doesn’t have to be too expensive! You can find all you need in the dollar store!
6. Head to the beach
Going to the beach with kids in the summer is an excellent way to spend quality time away from the city. It is a great way to unwind, relax, enjoy the fresh air, build sand castles under the sun, and create everlasting memories.
To ensure a stress-free and enjoyable time, pack all the essentials beforehand: sunscreen, towels, hats, pool noodles, flip-flops, water balloons, squirt guns, beach ball, and enough snacks and water to keep your kids hydrated all day long. And don’t forget to bring a reusable swim diaper if your kiddo is still not potty trained!
Pick the right time of the day to visit the beach; early in the morning, or later in the afternoon, when the sun isn’t at its peak, is the best time to visit with children. Always keep a close eye on your kids and keep them within your sight. Bring a sun tent or umbrella to provide a shaded spot for your little ones to rest, and let them play and explore safely.
6 Indoor fun summer activities for kids
Keeping your kids busy and away from video games and technology can be quite challenging, so here are some fun indoor summer activities you can recreate at home:
1. Enjoy a family movie night
With popcorn in hand and snuggled up on the couch, you and your little ones can escape to a world of adventure, laughter, and drama. It's the perfect way to spend quality time together while avoiding the scorching sun.
To make it even more special, let your kids pick out their favorite movie or try something new. And don't forget the cozy blankets and pillows to make it a truly relaxing experience. So, whether you choose a classic Disney film or the latest blockbuster hit, a movie night at home is one of the most fun indoor summer activities for kids.
2. Make science experiments
Summer break is the perfect time to explore the world of science with your kids! Engaging in science experiments at home can be an incredibly rewarding and fun experience. By creating a hands-on experience, your child can strengthen their critical thinking and problem-solving skills while also learning about the world around them.
Here are 5 science experiments to keep kids entertained and learning during the whole summer:
- Make a volcano: Let your kids get creative making their own volcanoes with clay and baking soda as the lava!
- Design an egg drop challenge: Gather up some supplies and let your little ones create a contraption that will protect an egg from being cracked when dropped from a certain height.
- Plant a vegetable garden: Planting vegetables can be an educational and fun activity to do with your kids during the summer months.
- Build a solar oven: Teach your kids about the power of the sun by helping them build their own solar ovens to bake treats like cookies or even pizza!
- Create colorful rainbow art: Dye some white flowers with food coloring to make beautiful, vibrant rainbow floral art for your home.
3. Have a board game night
Board game nights with kids can be a fun and engaging way to spend those warm summer evenings. Gather the family and choose games that appeal to all age groups, including the younger kids, so everyone can join in on the fun.
From classics like Monopoly and Battleship to newer games like Settlers of Catan and Ticket to Ride, there are endless options to choose from. Not only do board games promote healthy competition and critical thinking skills, but they also provide a screen-free way to bond with loved ones.
4. Bake delicious summer treats
Summer is the perfect time to get your kids involved in the kitchen and bake up some delicious treats together. With so many fresh and seasonal ingredients available, there's no shortage of inspiration for summer desserts. You can try making classic treats like homemade ice cream or refreshing fruit sorbets. Or, turn up the heat and bake up some fruity tarts or berry-filled muffins.
Whatever you choose, be sure to involve your kids in the process by letting them measure ingredients, mix batters, and decorate finished treats with fun toppings. Baking together is a great way to bond with your kids while also teaching them valuable skills in the kitchen.
5. Organize a pool party in your backyard
There’s nothing better than spending the summer afternoon by the pool splashing around and you don’t even have to leave your own backyard to do so!
Pool parties are a fun and exciting way to socialize and cool down during a hot summer day. You can plan creative water games for the kids, such as a water balloon fight, pool volleyball, a backyard water slide, and snorkeling. Besides, you could offer delicious snacks to munch on, such as popsicles, watermelons, ice cream, or hot dogs for dinner. If your pool party continues into the evening, you could even add some drama by putting up some magical fairy lights around the pool and letting the kids and adults have a blast.
Extra tip: don’t forget the sunscreen and reusable swim diaper for the younger kiddos in training!
6. Build a backyard obstacle course
As we all know, summer is the perfect time to get outside and be active. And what better way to do that than by creating a backyard obstacle course? With a little creativity and some simple materials, you can turn your backyard into a fun-filled maze of challenges and obstacles.
From tires and ropes to cones and balance beams, there are endless possibilities for creating a course that will keep everyone entertained for hours. Not only is it a great way to stay active, but it also encourages problem-solving skills and teamwork.
Things to do over the summer with kids: Final thoughts
There you go, 12 fun ideas you can enjoy with your kiddos whether you prefer outdoor play or having fun inside your home!
Summertime is the perfect opportunity for fun family bonding. With so many outdoor and indoor summer activities for kids, there's something for everyone. From swimming at the pool, playing at the park, hiking, and visiting museums, to making experiments, there's no shortage of enjoyable experiences to share with your children.
Don't forget to take advantage of the beautiful weather and long days to create lasting memories and have so much fun together. The key to a successful and stress-free summer is to plan and be prepared ahead of time.
So go ahead and try out some of these 12 fun summer activities to keep your kids engaged and entertained all summer long.