There’s no time like summertime! And playing, exploring, and adventuring all summer long is what childhood dreams are truly made of. Whether your child is headed to summer camp or spending time at home, these fun summer activities for kids help make this summer one for the books. Save this list and you will be set the days the doors close at elementary school and everyone is home for break.
RELATED: Not ready for big kid summer games? Here is my summertime toddler list.
Summer 101
Let’s be real: whether you have young toddlers running around or older kids home from school, summer break can sometimes drag on for us parents. Between the long hours of daylight and more screen time, this is your summer activity list with fun ideas to keep your whole family having fun with outdoor games outside your door.
Keeping your kids busy, excited, and cool in the summer heat does not have to be complicated or expensive. (Although it may mean endless ice cream.)
Some summer seasons call for a summer bucket list, while others may be more relaxed, with an occasional trip to an amusement park or the local library.
What will your kids DO this summer?
Take the guesswork out of your days with the Summertime Bundle.
- Startup Guide creates your summer routine.
- Activity cards have easy activities.
- The PDF calendar puts your plan in place.
What can kids do at home this summer?
Kids dream about being home all summer. Finally, being able to spend endless hours focused on play is what makes them thrive. Use this quick list featuring activities, places to visit, and ideas for kids to do at home to guide your summer days.
- Amusement parks
- Arts and crafts
- Beach trip
- Bike rides
- Build bird houses
- Classic games like cards, Uno, and board games
- County fair
- Hula hooping
- Indoor activities
- Local farmer’s market
- Mini golf
- Nature walks
- Outdoor activities
- Sensory activities
- Splash pad
- State park
- Summer crafts
- Suncatchers
- Water activities
- Water park
- Water balloon fights
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Fun Summer Activities for Kids
There’s nothing like running outside to burn off that cabin fever that has built up all year! Try out some of these outdoor summer activities for kids to burn off that energy and boost your child’s gross motor skills right in your backyard.
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Water Balloon Sensory Play
Reusable water balloons are not just for an epic water balloon fight. Add them to your water table or sensory bin to take a break indoors or out.
Crayon Melt
Use the summer heat to watch a fun art project come alive. Young children get a kick from watching the crayons melt before their eyes. Variation: Make melted crayon designs on paper plates.
Water Pistol Painting
This is a fun outdoor art project that will be sure to cool your kids off as they spray paint and create one-of-a-kind art! It’s also the perfect way to improve hand-eye coordination as your child has fun.
Squirt the Numbers
Create a fun water bin to recognize number symbols. A fun way to combine math and fine motor.
Chalk Game for Outdoor Play
Chalk is a great way to get your kids moving, playing, and laughing outside with this larger-than-life chalkboard game you can draw up in just a few minutes! The entire family will have fun playing at sunset.
Muddy Water Messy Play
What’s playing outside in the summer without a little mess? Ditch the water table because there’s nothing like playing outside in the summertime mud; this open-ended playtime will let your child’s imagination run wild!
Alphabet Ice
This cute alphabet ice activity will strengthen your kids’ little hands and improve their alphabet letter recognition, so they are sure to stay cool on a hot day.
Summer Puffy Paint
Kids of all ages have a blast with summer puffy paint. It is simple to make and helps fine motor development as your child designs.
Squirt Gun Tie-Dye
Summer break is fun, as is busting out the squirt guns and testing some tie-dye. Beat the summer boredom, sending everyone outside to create their own shirt.
Scoop the Sea Water Play
Your preschoolers will love playing with sea creatures in the water while they practice their scooping and pouring skills with this sealife-themed sensory activity.
How to Make Sponge Bombs
If you haven’t made sponge bombs, do this now! They’re simple to make and will give your kids endless hours of water fun to beat the heat this summer.
Let’s Paint the Ice
Another simple and fun idea to cool your kids off this summer that will keep them busy as they create and explore new colors while they mix and paint ice cubes.
Nature Sensory Hunt
Save this for your next outdoor adventure. Your kids will love this outdoor scavenger hunt that lets them explore nature and learn about the incredible sensory items right in their backyard or at a local park.
Outdoor Tracks
Toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids will love this STEM activity, which combines building, thinking, splashing, and zooming all those Hot Wheels cars outside.
Musical Scavenger Hunt
This fabulous outdoor game for toddlers and preschoolers will get your kids moving, dancing, and having lots of fun.
Backyard Obstacle Course
Are you wondering how to burn off all of your kid’s energy? The simple answer is to let them climb, run, jump, and hop with this ultimate backyard obstacle course. Physical activities help kids get moving and redirect some energy.
Dice Baseball Game
Baseball is one of the quintessential symbols of summertime! Create this quick and easy dice baseball board game for your kids to play when you need some time inside, away from the heat or rain.
Magic Chalk Painting
Your kids will love this outdoor art activity this summer! With a little bit of prep work, you can sit back and relax as your kids stay extra busy creating and mixing colors in the summer heat!
Water Balloon Pinata
Cool off with this hysterical outdoor game on a hot day as your kids combine water balloon play with pinata fun as they jump, move, and swing at these water balloon pinatas.
Nature Murals
Outdoor art is just the best! The mess is contained, so cleanup is simple. This nature mural art project will keep your preschooler interested in exploring their surroundings while they practice fine motor skills as they glue their findings onto their mural. It is an artistic way to use everything found on your nature treasure hunt.
Neon Water Play
Create and explore all kinds of new colors in this beautifully fun neon water sensory bin that will cool your kids off in the summer heat while they strengthen their pencil grip. Use washable paints or food coloring to create colorful water in squirt or spray bottles.
The Watermelon Seed Activity
This quick and crafty art activity will keep your kids interested, involved, and engaged in retelling The Watermelon Seed book (one of our favorite summertime reads)!
DIY Soda Bottle Terrarium for Kids
This is a fun activity for your kids to create and set up for all those bugs they catch outside this summer. Free summer activities are the best.
How to Make Sand Slime
This fun DIY summertime sand slime is a simple hands-on activity to do with your kids that will double as a sensory bin material for endless hours of sensory bin playtime fun.
Lemon Summer Water Play
Explore this lemon sensory bin inside and sip on a glass of lemonade while your kids play with this refreshing summertime sensory bin that will cool them off as they scoop, pour, and play.
Pour to the Lines
Spark your kid’s mathematical minds as they measure and compare with this water play sensory bin activity that is perfect for a hot summer day outside.
Seashell Craft
Older kids will enjoy making seashell crafts out of collected shells and clay.
Tissue Paper Firefly Craft for Kids
Make these adorable tissue paper firefly crafts with your toddler or preschooler this summer to teach them about summertime bugs and get them excited about looking for these magical insects. Easy idea for a rainy day.
Summer at home does not have to be boring.
When school lets out, kids all over are excited to be home all summer! However, for parents, this can easily correlate to exhaustion. How will we fill our days? Everyday? All day? Yes, you may have a summer road trip planned, but how will you fill the days in between?
Just because the days may seem long, remember that these days are precious. Even though school schedules and activities may shift and change, you can still create a daily schedule for the summer to keep your kids on track, prepared, and ready for daily fun!
Experts say spending time outdoors in nature is so important for kids. It can boost their curiosity, independence, creativity, and their play skills. There are so many simple and creative ways to encourage play, have fun and stay cool in the summer heat without breaking the bank.
RELATED: Looking for ways to get your kids excited to spend time outside this summer? Check out our list of favorite Outdoor Toys for Kids!
Keep summertime light and easy for everyone!
Soak up the summer with your kids this season with these silly and fun outdoor activities, games, and play. Having your kids home all summer does not need to be overwhelming or boring. Let go of rigid schedules, encourage lots of outdoor play, and kick back and treat yourself to a much-deserved mid-day iced latte (or spritzer) with these outdoor summer activities for kids. Happy summer!!!
FAQS
Spend time this summer with your kids relaxing and playing. Keep your toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids busy with outdoor activities, indoor games, art projects, sensory play, and good old-fashioned water play!
There are many ways to entertain your kids at home during the summer. Encourage messy outdoor play, get creative with summer-themed arts and crafts projects, and let go of busy schedules.
Spending time in nature is essential for children as they learn to explore, take on adventures and play! All of this outdoor time will spark their curiosity, creativity, and independence and encourage them to take risks!