25+ Summer Fun Activities for Kids
Summertime is nearly here, and that means summer fun activities for the kids.
It is a great time to create lasting memories together.
The lack of snow and cold weather opens up dozens of possibilities for fun activities. Make this summer the best yet and try some of these summer fun activities.
Most of these summer fun activities are outdoor activities, but there are a few ideas if there is a rainy day.
If you are looking for ideas for older children check out our summer bucket list for teenagers free printable.
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Activities to do in the summer with kids
Check out our favorite summer fun activities the kids are going to love this summer break. A lot of these options are free, and just a great way to create happy memories with the kids.
Water Balloon Fight
My kids go crazy for water balloons. I love to surprise my kids with random water balloon fights.
Secretly fill up the balloons outside using the hose. Hide the balloons in two bins – one for the parents and one for the kids. Then, call them outside.
Surprise them and let the games begin!
Summer Handprints
Create some wonderful memories with our summer handprint art.
There are 10 free templates to download and create some lifelong keepsakes you will treasure in your family for years to come.
Camp Out
If you’ve never camped before, try camping out in your backyard! Set up a tent, roast hot dogs, and fall asleep to the crickets. You can watch the stars as you drift off.
The best part about camping in your backyard is that you can run inside if you decide it is too chilly or it starts to rain! Print out our free camping scavenger hunt and have even more fun.
Fun Things To Do In The Summer To Stay Fit
- Bounce on a trampoline. Not only is this incredibly fun, but it also helps to blow off some steam and helps to refocus! Check out 26 trampoline benefits that will surprise you.
- Go on a neighborhood scavenger hunt, and have fun while getting outside.
- Skipping Rope – this is really good exercise and so much fun, if you don’t have one what about a hula hoop?
- Basketball – dribbling a basketball is lots of fun and gets the heart pumping.
Get Creative
- Garden Chalk – Now we love creating pretty pictures in the garden. You can also create your own hopscotch. Check out our favorite chalk marker ideas the kids will love this summer.
- Get creative and paint a rock, and then hide it! This is really popular and there is a FB group called RCT Rocks where other people do it too! It’s a great way to get outside!
Geocaching
- Geocaching – join the world’s largest treasure hunt. Have hours of fun outside finding objects along the way.
- Go to the woods and make a den or forage for sticks etc and create some nature art.
Go To The Beach
Beach days – if you happen to be near a beach go for a swim, walk on the beach, or build a sandcastle.
If you are going on a car journey to get to the beach, why not print out our free printable road trip bingo and have loads of fun.
When you get there have fun with our free beach scavenger hunt and have the best day ever.
Make a Scrapbook
Scrapbooking – We always create a holiday scrapbook, but this could be done after a great day out. Or even just about what they have done at home that week.
Visit a Library
Go to the library – this was our favorite day out. We absolutely loved flicking through new books and finding new fun things to read. Often they have free activities too.
Visit a Local Park / Museum
- Have fun at the local park – Easy! Take a stroll to the local park, and why not do a scavenger hunt on the way.
- Go to an art gallery /museum – So many of these are free. You can also do some research on the artists when you get back home too. Can they draw like Picasso?
- If there are any free museums in your area have fun there. London, in particular, has a lot of free museums. But if you look I am sure you will find some great free ones in your local area too.
Roast Marshmallows and Hot Dogs
Nothing screams summertime like roasting marshmallows and hot dogs over the fire in your backyard. Kids love this!
Make sure you have all of the fixings, like graham crackers and toppings for the hot dogs. Tell some funny or spooky stories around the fire, or watch the stars with your kids.
Go Fishing
Kids of all ages can enjoy fishing.
Our kids start to fish between the ages of two and three years old! Many campgrounds offer ponds stocked with little kids in mind. Once a child hooks their first fish, he will be addicted to the fun. Remember to take a picture or several, of your child’s first fish of the season.
Check Out Local Splash Pads
I love splash pads for my kids because it is easier to keep an eye on them than when they are in a pool. Plus, splash pads are fun! Kids get to run around and enjoy the fun in the sun. Moms can relax and watch their children enjoy the water.
Many communities are installing splash pads throughout their towns. Some are connected to public pools, but many are located right at your local parks. Search locally and make it a goal to try all of the local splash pads this summer.
Pack a Picnic
Pack up a real picnic for your kids and head to a local park for dinner. Kids love picnics, and it feels funny to eat dinner outside. You can pick a park, a field, the lake, or anything that perks your interest!
Pack up sandwiches, burritos, a salad, fruit, pasta salad, and your favorite drinks. Let the kids run around while you soak up some rays.
Play with Sidewalk Chalk
Everyone loves sidewalk chalk! It is cheap and fun, especially for younger kids. You can write the alphabet out or draw a picture of a dog.
Kids love to express their creativity, and it feels silly to write on the sidewalk. This summer, make sure your basket is full of sidewalk chalk so you can color together often outside.
Garden Together
Teaching your kids to garden benefits everyone. Gardening is a relaxing and useful skill that everyone should learn. You can show your child how to grow their food! Kids love to pick veggies from the garden for dinner that evening. Kids also love to plant flowers and watch them grow.
If your child is very interested in gardening, consider allowing the child to have his own garden in a separate area. In his garden, your child can select the plants that go inside, from peas to roses! A child garden teaches responsibility and gets the child truly interested in gardening.
Check out our garden scavenger hunt printable and have fun with that as well.
Play in the Rain
My kids love to run outside when it rains. They have to hunker down during the rainy fall, winter, and springtime. Summer rain is different.
I sit under our covered porch and watch the kids catch rain on their tongues, fill buckets, and run around like silly kids. It is so lovely to watch, so I have to join in as often as I can!
Pick Your Own Produce
Check out local farms to see which ones offer pick-your-own produce. You can pick strawberries, raspberries, grapes, blueberries, and more.
It is fun for kids to pick their food. Plus, you know where your food is coming from, giving you a chance to meet local growers. Local food is better than store-bought food.
Ride Bikes and Scooters
Take bike rides with your kids! If your child can’t ride a bike, try a scooter instead. Start by going around your neighborhood a few times. Then, find a local trail you can hit up and enjoy. If you ride a bike, it is even better!
Kick scooters are an exciting way to get around the neighborhood on a lazy afternoon.
Last Updated on 21 October 2022 by homeschoolof1