Summer is upon us and that means the kids are out of school and going to be coming to you looking for something to do. If they don’t do that then you are one lucky parent!
I wanted to be prepared with a list of fun things to do with kids so I went on a hunt for summer activities for kids. I came up with a great list of games to play for my girls! Some do need my involvement – but that’s even better.
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I was particularly looking for outdoor activities for kids and games to play outside, but did happen upon a few indoor games as well.
After all, some summer days, especially here in Texas, can get downright hot.
So, when it’s time for the kids to come in and cool down, they can still find ways to have fun.
Or, if they want to stay outside, grab the sunblock and take part in some water activities for kids.
Summer Activities
- Family field day
- Set up a backyard carnival
- Put together a time capsule and bury it
- Create a summer bucket list
- Make summer luminaries
- Perform a random act of kindness
- Go to a local splash park
- Have a picnic
- Take a neighbor a surprise
- Family photo tree craft
- Have a fashion show
- Go for a drive
- Sandbox treasure hunt
- Enjoy an ice cream sandwich cake
- Have a dance party
- Attend a car show
- Record a fun family video
- Sidewalk Chalk Games
- Play hopscotch
- Go on a nature walk
- Wash the cars
- Start a backyard garden
- Make a cardboard city
- Keep a summer journal
- Family game night
- Q-Tip Painting
- Shop at an outside market
- Read a book
- Take a short road trip
- Exercise together
- Paint a room
- Go geocaching
- Have a family movie night
- Write a song
- Make gooey slime
- Have a backyard campout
- Study moon phases
- Alphabet adventure scavenger hunt
- Make your own ice cream
- Sign up for a class at your local rec center
- Attend Vacation Bible School
- Make your own galaxy playdough
- Watch airplanes take off and land
- Make homemade freezer pops
- Get out and discover your city
- Play freeze tag
- Find local free events to attend
- Backyard mini golf
- Sing karaoke
- Have fun with glow sticks
- Create an obstacle course
- Go on a hike
- Have a water balloon launch
- Host a tea party
- Put on a puppet show
- Family talent show
- Take a walk
- Pick wildflowers
- Have your own art class
- Fly a kite
- Build a fort
- Play cards
- Make your own magnets
- Play in a sprinkler
- Go on a bike ride
- Visit a local museum
- Make sponge balls
- Volunteer as a family
- Make a volcano
- Have a lemonade stand
- DIY pasta beads
- Go roller skating
- Create a family scrapbook
- Make magic mud
- Star gaze
- Watch a movie under the stars
- Do weather experiments
- Have a hula hoop contest
- Spend the day crafting
- DIY Drive-In Movie
- Jump rope
- Go fishing
- Make s’mores
- Enjoy a themed staycation
- Repurpose t-shirts
- Take a swim
- Bake cookies
- Frozen watercolors
- Host a BBQ
- Visit the arboretum
- Memorize and recite a poem
- Make a solar oven
- Tie-dye shirts
- Create thumbprint pictures
- Make finger puppets
- Bake cupcakes
- Visit a local petting zoo
- Go on a “bear hunt“
- Put together a babysitter course
- Create a bubble snake maker
- Play super heroes for an entire day
- Kids love skateboard lessons. Therefore, parents should include this productive and fun summer activity for their children. Skateboarding lessons have basic transportation skills, such as learning foot placement for good balance.
Whew! Okay, most of these are completely budget-friendly and require nothing more than a little creativity.
I would advise having a first aid kit with you to any summer camps or other events involving children. Kids love to have a good time, but there is always the risk of injury, especially in more physical games.
Gather the necessary supplies to treat wounds, including hydrogen peroxide, bandages, and square gauze. You should include over-the-counter medications for treating fever, discomfort, and allergies in case of an emergency.
In addition, don’t forget to pack energy-giving foods and lots of liquids. Kids may look energetic, but their bodies may lose plenty of fluids while doing all those fun activities during summer.
This summer, make sure kids stay hydrated. Drink 12 to 20 ounces of fluids before engaging in any strenuous outdoor summer activity, preferably water, since caffeine in sodas and energy drinks causes dehydration.
In addition, I make sure that the children wear light clothes and have a 15-minute break to recuperate.
Let kids enjoy summer with the above activities. Allowing them to go outside helps them explore nature, hone their survival skills, and discover their talents.
Summer activities also help children enhance their hard and soft skills, including communication, motor skills, leadership, agility, concern for others, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
Who doesn’t love a long list of fun, free activities for kids!
Not to mention, I think these 101+ summer activities for kids are all totally doable. So… get outside and start playing!
CLASSIC BACKYARD GAMES
