Ah summer, a time for making fun memories. With the school out and kids spending more time at home there are more opportunities for them to say “I’m bored”. So whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures or indoor entertainment to beat the heat, there are countless fun activities for your kids to enjoy. Explore a variety of engaging and exciting ideas to keep your kids entertained throughout the summer months.
1. Backyard Camping Adventure
Turn your backyard into a campground and embark on a thrilling camping adventure with your kids. Set up a tent, lay out sleeping bags, and bring along flashlights for a truly immersive experience. Roast marshmallows over a fire pit, share stories, and stargaze at night. No backyard? No problem! Set up a tent (or a make do blanket fort) in any room in your house and camp indoors.
2. DIY water park
Beat the summer heat with a homemade water park in your backyard. Let your kids think outside the box – have them design the park with things you already have. Create an obstacle course using hula hoops, water balloons, and buckets.
3. Nature Scavenger Hunt
Encourage exploration and connect with nature by organizing a nature scavenger hunt. Create a list of items for your children to find, such as pinecones, wildflowers, or specific types of leaves. Head to a local park or nature reserve and let the adventure begin.
4. Bingo
A fun game if bingo is a perfect solution for a rainy day. Be sure to print out our summer themed bingo cards.
5. Outdoor Movie Night
If you have a chance, lease a projector. Transform your backyard into a cozy outdoor theater and host a movie night under the stars. Set up a large screen or use a white bedsheet, arrange comfortable seating with blankets and pillows, and prepare some delicious snacks. Enjoy a family-friendly movie while soaking up the summer ambiance.
6. Would you rather?
This game is always a huge hit with kids and it can spark a ton of fun debates. Ask the kids a would you rather question – for example would you rather have the ability to fly or the ability to become invisible? Or give them hard questions like would you rather eat only broccoli forever or only onions? Need some ideas – grab the printable list of would you rather questions for kids.
7. DIY Crafts and Art Projects
Summer is perfect for getting creative. Unleash your children’s creativity with fun DIY crafts and art projects. Create colorful sun catchers, design tie-dye shirts, or make paper plate animals.
8. Write a play
Encourage your kids to come up with a script for a play! Have them design the set (cardboard boxes are super helpful). These printable masks might come in handy.
9. Nature photography
Encourage your kids to explore their surroundings through photography. Go on nature walks and let them capture the beauty of the outdoors with a camera or smartphone.
10. Art show
Encourage your children’s artistic expression by creating an outdoor art gallery. Hang their artwork on a clothesline or fence and invite family and friends to admire their masterpieces. Make it themed! Let your kids (or you) decide what the art show will be called and have them prepare artwork just for the show.
11. Set a charity goal
Let the kids pick up a charity (preferably a local one so they can see their impact). Let them think about all the different ways they can raise funds or collect materials for the charity. Have them set up a garage sale… Help your kids set up a lemonade stand in your neighborhood…
12. Paint rocks, spread kindness
Paint rocks and write positive messages on them. Hide them all around the neighborhood and beyond for people to find them.
13. Paper airplane competition
Challenge your kids to a paper airplane competition. Let them fold different types of paper airplanes and see whose design can fly the farthest or perform the best tricks.
14. DIY board games
Let the kids design board games, small ones to use inside and giant ones for outside – like chess figures made out of recycled bottles.
15. Make a scrapbook photo album of your summer activities
Last but not least, make the summer memories last! Record all activities, snap photos, add stickers, drawings, tickets and notes that capture the essence of the adventure. At the end of the summer your kids will have an memorable photo album that will be cherished for years to come.
