25 Fun Summer Activities for Kids

Summer is the perfect time for kids to enjoy the great outdoors, soak up the sun, and create lasting memories. As a parent, you want to make sure your children have a-filled summer break that is both entertaining and educational. 

From outdoor adventures to creative indoor projects, there is something for every child to enjoy. So get ready for a summer of fun!

To help you plan a summer full of excitement, here are 25 fun summer activities for kids that will keep them engaged and entertained all season long. Be sure to read all the way through or skip to the bottom for a PDF link to save for a handy reminder.

Outdoor Adventures

1. Nature Scavenger Hunt: Take your kids on a scavenger hunt in a local park or nature reserve. Create a list of items for them to find, such as a pinecone, a bird feather, or a four-leaf clover. This activity will encourage them to explore the natural world around them while having fun. You can even host a scavenger hunt in your own yard. 

2. Bike Ride: Dust off those bikes and go for a family bike ride around the neighborhood or on a scenic trail. Cycling is a great way to stay active and enjoy the fresh air together.

3. Backyard Camping: Pitch a tent in the backyard, set up a campfire (safely!), and enjoy a night under the stars. Tell stories, roast marshmallows, and make memories that your kids will cherish forever. Better yet, make a plan to explore the great outdoors and go on a camping trip out in nature. 

4. DIY Tie-Dye: Get some white t-shirts, fabric dye, and rubber bands, and let your kids unleash their creativity with a tie-dye project. They can create unique patterns and designs on their shirts, making for a fun and colorful activity.

Creative Indoor Projects

5. Homemade Playdough: Mix flour, salt, water, and food coloring to make homemade playdough. Let your kids mold and shape the playdough into their own creations, providing hours of sensory play and artistic exploration. Add scents like mint or lemon to make the playdough smell amazing.

6. Indoor Picnic: Lay out a picnic blanket in the living room, pack some sandwiches and snacks, and have an indoor picnic with your kids. This is a great way to break up the routine and enjoy a meal together in a fun and unconventional setting.

Water Fun

7. Splash Pad Adventure: Visit a local splash pad or set up your own in the backyard with a sprinkler and water toys. Let your kids run through the water, cool off, and have a splashing good time.

8. Water Balloon Fight: Fill up a bucket of water balloons and have a friendly water balloon fight with your kids. It's a refreshing way to beat the heat and bond as a family.

9. Bubble Bonanza: Create a homemade bubble solution or use a bubble machine to fill your backyard with bubbles. Watch your kids chase and pop bubbles, creating a magical and playful atmosphere.

Arts and Crafts

10. Painting Rocks: Collect smooth rocks from your backyard or a nearby park and let your kids paint them with colorful designs. They can use acrylic paint or paint markers to create mini works of art that can be displayed indoors or outdoors.

11. DIY Bird Feeder: Help your kids make a simple bird feeder using a toilet paper roll, organic peanut butter, and birdseed. Hang it outside and watch as birds visit your backyard for a snack, teaching your kids about nature and wildlife.

12. Summer Scrapbook: Encourage your kids to document their summer adventures by creating a scrapbook. They can include photos, drawings, and mementos from their favorite activities, preserving memories that they can look back on for years to come.

Active Play

13. Obstacle Course: Set up a backyard obstacle course using household items like cones, hula hoops, and jump ropes. Challenge your kids to complete the course as fast as they can, promoting physical activity and friendly competition.

14. Dance Party: Clear some space in the living room, put on their favorite music, and have a dance party with your kids. Let loose, groove to the beat, and have a blast moving and grooving together.

15. Yoga for Kids: Introduce your kids to the benefits of yoga by practicing kid-friendly yoga poses together. Yoga can help improve flexibility, strength, and mindfulness, providing a fun and healthy activity for both kids and parents. Cosmic Kids Yoga on Youtube is a favorite around our house. 

Culinary Creations

16. DIY Popsicles: Make homemade popsicles with your kids using fruit juice and fresh fruit. Let them mix and match flavors, pour the mixture into molds, and freeze for a cool and refreshing treat on a hot summer day.

17. Cookie Decorating: Bake a batch of sugar cookies and set up a cookie decorating station with icing, sprinkles, and edible decorations. Let your kids unleash their inner pastry chef and create delicious and colorful cookies to enjoy together.

18. Smoothie Bar: Create a DIY smoothie bar with a variety of fruits, yogurt, and toppings for your kids to mix and match. Let them experiment with different flavor combinations and create their own custom smoothie creations.

Science Experiments

19. Baking Soda Volcano: Create a baking soda volcano using a plastic bottle, baking soda, vinegar, and red food coloring. Watch as the mixture erupts and fizzles, demonstrating a fun and explosive chemical reaction that will captivate your kids.

20. DIY Solar Oven: Build a simple solar oven using a pizza box, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap. Place s'mores or hot dogs inside and let the sun's heat cook them, teaching your kids about the power of solar energy in a hands-on way.

21. Fizzy Orange: Learn about acids and bases and create a chemical reaction you can eat! Science Fun For Everyone has a whole website full of fun experiments you can do at home. 

Exploring Nature

22. Butterfly Garden: Plant a butterfly garden in your backyard with colorful flowers that attract butterflies. Teach your kids about the life cycle of butterflies and watch as these beautiful insects visit your garden throughout the summer. Create a butterfly and bee watering station by filling a shallow dish with rocks and water. The insects can crawl on the rocks to get a drink without drowning. 

23. Stargazing Night: Set up a blanket in the backyard, away from city lights, and have a stargazing night with your kids. Point out constellations, planets, and shooting stars, sparking their curiosity and awe for the night sky.

24. Nature Journaling: Encourage your kids to start a nature journal where they can sketch, write, and record their observations of plants, animals, and insects they encounter outdoors. This activity fosters a love for nature and encourages curiosity and creativity.

Community Involvement

25. Volunteer Together: Find a local charity or organization that aligns with your family's values and volunteer together. Whether cleaning up a park, helping at a food bank, or visiting a nursing home, volunteering teaches kids the importance of giving back and positively impacting their community. If volunteering isn't possible consider gathering items you can donate. Animal shelters often need new pet toys, food, or used blankets. Food banks rarely have toiletries. Drop off toilet paper, body wash, lotions, diapers, or shampoo. Call your local elder care home and ask about regulations for dropping off home-baked or store-bought cookies, hand-crafted cards, or a bouquet of flowers. Some residents don't have family to shower them with special treats, flowers, or gifts. Residents appreciate being thought of and the staff needs to know their community values them. 

Here is a link link to download a pdf of these tips to keep handy all summer. 

Or click on the below graphic. Right-click and save. 

Bonus: Here are more tips to keep your children engaged this summer. 

Thank you for joining us and supporting the inner light of the children,

Carol and Stacy