Fun Summer Activities with Kids

One thing I love about being a teacher is summers off! I have all summer to spend with my kiddos. We love to get out and about to experience all our area offers. If you have kiddos, you know that when the whole summer is stretched out in front of you the possibilities are endless. Right now I am working on our summer plans. I thought I would share some of the fun summer activities I have found or thought of to do with our kids this summer. There are lots of ways to make some amazing memories and banish boredom! I hope these will help you while you are looking for ideas to fill your summer!

Summer Activities At Home

Backyard Movie Night

So this one can be in the backyard if you have a way to project the movie onto a surface. You can lay down blankets, use lounge chairs, or have small kiddie pools with pillows and blankets for everyone to sit in/on. Pop some popcorn and have movie snacks, sit back and enjoy!

Projector | Outdoor screen

Make a Craft

This activity could fit into many days during your summer vacation. One year I did theme weeks and every week we had a different craft to fit the theme. Another idea is to have a sort of “Maker’s Space” where you set out a variety of craft supplies to let your kiddos create their own works. There are also a plethora of craft kits to purchase that will be perfect for the ages of kids you have.

Yard Games

Get outside everyday if you can. Having different games to play outside can help motivate your kids to get some much needed vitamin D. Obvious choices can include basketball in the drive way, having a mini soccer game, and throwing baseball or football. Volleyball is a great idea too. Instead of using an actual volleyball, use a beach ball instead. That makes it easier for younger kids to get in the game. We also like horseshoes, croquet, bocce ball, ladder ball, corn hole, and toss & catch with the sticky paddles. There are many games that have been remade into giant size like yard pong, connect 4, and sorry that you can play outside. Yard games are plentiful and a there are a wide variety of fun summer activities that you can play with your kids.

Horseshoes | Croquet | Bocce Ball | Ladder Ball | Corn Hole | Toss & Catch set | Yard Pong | Connect 4 | Giant Sorry

Make an Obstacle Course

I’ve taught kids from 3 to 12 and an obstacle course is one that is sure to keep them busy for quite a while at any age. From designing to building and finally getting to go through it, kids love every minute of the fun. Not to mention it can be a great STEM project incorporated into the physical activity of the project. While this can be done inside on a rainy day, an outside obstacle course will probably be safer depending on your location.

Stepping Stones | Hop Scotch Rings | Tunnel | Sack Race bags

Play Board Games

Now, in the summer we have rain quite a bit due to the heat and humidity climbing to create afternoon and evening showers. A great rainy day activity is board games. We enjoy Life and Clue most often. However, my oldest got Ticket to Ride for Christmas and we have played it over and over again. There are so many games available and you can usually find them at thrift shops and goodwill for a fraction of the cost.

Ride Bicycles

So I know that we all don’t live in places that are always conducive to riding bicycles. However, if you can this is a great physical activity for your kids and yourself. Another idea is to look for bike rentals in your area. Sometimes if there are bike paths, you will also find a bike rental that you could do for the day. This makes a great summer outing.

Puzzles

Another rainy day activity is to work on puzzles. This one is not for everyone but it can be a great way to pass the time when you can’t get outside or just want to stay home. I have a few floor puzzles and wood puzzles for my younger kiddos to keep them busy! Another type of puzzles is word searches, logic puzzles, and similar type books that you can find for your little thinker. My 9-year-old is all about logic problems right now.

Wood Block Puzzle | Floor Puzzles

Cook or Bake

Get those kids in the kitchen! Cooking not only teaching a huge life skill but also incorporates math and reading into a hands on activity. There are tons of kid appropriate cooking recipes online but I will link a couple kids cookbooks here too.

Young Chef’s | Baking Book | Cooking with Toddlers

Science Experiments

A few years ago, when we homeschooled before; we got a science experiment book with one of our curriculums. It was awesome. That summer we had one day each week that we chose one experiment to try out. The kids had so much fun that summer and really enjoyed the activities and seeing what would happen. I believe this fostered their love of learning and curiosity.

Look! I’m A Scientist | 50 Science Experiments to do at home |

Build a Blanket Fort

These are the best, in my opinion, to while away the hours of a rainy day or a day that is simply too hot to face the heat. All you need is chairs or something to support your blanket roof. We sometimes use large flat sheets as they are not as heavy as quilts. The kids will bring in some of their toys, flashlights, and have so much fun.

Camp in the Yard

This can be part of a larger weeklong theme that could include making s’mores, nature walks, going fishing, and campfire stories. You could end the week with a camp out in the yard or a local campground.

Water Play

Just add water is our motto in the summer. Water tables, kiddie pools, water balloons and sprinklers have made their appearances during our summer breaks. This year we are putting up a pool since our kids are getting older and will get them outside more often than not. Anything with water lends itself to being one of the most fun summer activities for kids of all ages!

Art

Art projects can be done inside or outside. Some ideas include making play dough, water gun painting (outside), bubble art (outside), painting a birdhouse, and making a kite. The list could go on and the sky is the limit for the ideas that you could incorporate into other themes or activities you’re doing.

Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt is such a fun summer activity for kids to do inside and outside. Having a scavenger hunt for a nuture walk gets your kids to actively participate in what they are experiencing rather than just walking through the woods or on a trail. Scavenger hunts can be a bridge to actively engage in the world around them. Try one and see what happens!

Gardening

It’s that time of year to set out your flowers and plant those gardens. If you don’t have space for a flower garden, you can get some planters to put on your deck or in the window and have some bright colors to enjoy!

STEM/Lego Challenge

I love the creativity that comes from challenges like these. It amazes me the ideas that children have when given the opportunity. So give your child a challenge; to build a bridge, a specific animal, design a product, or a structure and watch what happens. Your child will have a use creativity and critical thinking to design and build what you have asked. All the while, having fun and using legos or everyday items you would find at home or school.

Legos | Straw Constructor Kit | Marble Run

Summer Activities To Do Out and About

Community Park/Playground

Getting outside can be easier if you take your kids to a park or playground where they enjoy meeting and playing with other kids. If they can ride bikes or scooters this could be a combo trip. It’s just a fun, free (depending on if you have to drive) outing.

Visit the Library

This is coming from a teacher; please encourage your child to read over the summer. Summer slide is a real thing. They forget a lot. This is especially important if your child is a beginning reader, think 1st through 3rd or 4th grades. They can regress a half year over the summer if they aren’t reading some each week over the summer. The library will provide fresh reading material for your child and they usually enjoy getting to go and choose new books every few weeks. You might also want to check with your local library for summer events like story time and summer theme days/activities that will be available.

Visit the Pool or Splash Pad

Water play is great in the summer to beat the heat and provides a lot of exercise for your kiddos. Depending on what is available close to you, this might be free or available for a small fee per person. There are a large variety of pool toys and games that might also interest your children if they aren’t strong swimmers yet.

Go on a Picnic or Lunch Date with your kids

My girls love to go on picnics. Sometimes they will pack their lunchboxes and go out into the yard and have themselves a little picnic together. But a picnic could be part of a bigger outing. Maybe there are hiking trails, parks, or playgrounds in your area. Any of these would be a great place to have a picnic, fresh air, and some physical activity. Another option is to just go in to eat with your kids in a restaurant. Sometimes they just like to sit down and talk to you.

Visit a Bookstore

So, I obviously feel that reading is very important. Some bookstores have book signings and author events that might interest your young reader. You can also visit used book stores that may have some books that may not be available at your local library. We have a used book store that we trade in old books for credit in the store so it’s like getting books for free.

See a Movie

There are usually one or two appropriate movies to take your kids to during the summer. Some theaters will even show older movies in matinees to get kids and families in during school holiday. Going to the movies is fun and memorable, especially when they love the move. They will remember every time they see it in the future, the memory of seeing it for the first time with you.

Visit a Zoo or Aquarium

Up close to lions, tigers, giraffes, and elephants can be highly entertaining for most kids. For zoos, try to be there early in the day or late. Animals don’t move around much in the heat of the day unless it’s feeding time. Also check for feeding times for specific animals you’d like to see, and you might be more activity than you bargained for.

Play Miniature Golf

I know that this might be one that your family either loves or hates. I loved it growing up but my family hasn’t taken to it quite like I did. Maybe I’m too competitive. Anyway, there are mini golf or putt-putt courses all over so take an afternoon or evening and challenge your family to a round.

Go Bowling, Rollerskating, or to an Arcade

These are fun outings you can plan for a special day. Or maybe your original plan was outdoors but it’s raining and you’re scrambling to find something else to do. Bowling and rollerskating can take some skill and practice to master but can be a lot of fun just enjoying the experience with your kiddos.

Take a Painting or Art Class

Do you have a budding artist? Maybe one who like to draw or paint at home. A kid’s art class can be a fun activity in the summer to extend their skills and give them a chance to learn something new. There are probably studios or a community college in your area that offers kids classes in the summer.

Check out Summer Camps

Summer camps can vary based on overnight style or day camps. They can encompass a variety of activities from drama to sports to religious based and everything in between. Most camps do require planning and reserving your spot in advance but keep an eye out for availability in your area. Kids summer camps are always filled with loads of fun activities to keep them busy and give them opportunities to make new friends.

Visit a Water Park

Now this one might depend on the ages of your children. My 9 and 11 year olds love a good water park but my 3 year old is just as happy in a simple splash pad. So this one might be more than what you actually need but lots of fun none the less.

Visit a Theme Park

This is a fun activity anytime of year but especially in the summer . Now you may think of Disney or Universal when you think of theme parks, but there are so many more that you might not be considering. You have to include Busch Gardens, Carowinds, Six Flags, Sea World, Lego Land, and Dollywood just to name a few. There are so many more scattered across the country that I’m sure there is one near where you live. If not, maybe plan a weekend trip to visit one.

Visit a Museum

There are so many different types of museums that are available to visit. I love children’s museums that are hands on for kids to really immerse themselves into the exhibits. Some museums can fill a day or some just an afternoon. Either way, it is a great way to get out with your kids and fit in some educational fun into your summer.

Make Memories doing Fun Summer Activities with your kids

The overarching theme here is to spend some time this summer just making memories and doing things with your kids. You only get 18 summers with them so make each one count. One day you’ll look back at those summers. What do you want to remember? Make the memories, do the things. You know you won’t regret the time you spent with them. And as the days fly by and they grow up, you’ll remember the moments like these. You’ll be sad they are over but so happy they happened.