11 Fun Ideas for Summer Activities for Kids This Summer
As the sun shines brighter and the days grow longer, parents everywhere are searching for the perfect summer activities to keep their little ones entertained. From summer camps that promise adventure and new friendships to simple backyard games with water balloons, there is no shortage of ways to make this summer memorable for your kids. Whether exploring local parks or cooling off at a nearby water park, the options for fun under the sun are endless. So grab your sunglasses and prepare for a season filled with laughter, excitement, and unforgettable memories as we dive into 11 fun ideas that will keep your kids beaming from ear to ear all summer!
Summer Bucket List for Kids
Let's start off with a fun summer bucket list for kids. I know each summer, I would start off with good intentions. I had days set aside for fun, learning, and adventure. Yet, as the summer dragged on, I often got overwhelmed, and the kids got BORED! And there is nothing worse than bored kids on a hot summer day!
Adding some fun activities to a bucket list gives kids ideas and a plan for the summer. It's time to get creative with your kids' bucket lists!
I've created a summer bucket list for kids that includes some fun summer kid activities that you can do at home or outside. You can grab it here for free!
Here are a few more items that are included on the summer bucket list for kids.
Summer is also the perfect time for some reading adventures. Let your kids pick out a stack of summer books that transport them to different worlds and ignite their imaginations. Whether they prefer fantastical tales or heartwarming stories, there's something out there for every young reader. So, grab those cowboy hats, gather some blankets for fort-building, and dive into a world of endless possibilities this summer!
Cowboy Ice Cream
Why not add making cowboy ice cream to the list? This delicious treat not only cools them down but also brings out their inner cowboys. And while you're at it, encourage them to build forts in the living room for a cozy and imaginative hideaway. It's a fun way to beat the heat and spark their creativity.
The recipe and cowboy, ice cream directions, are in my Western Theme Week, so grab them here.
Cowboy ice cream is not your ordinary frozen treat - it's a wild and untamed desert adventure waiting to happen! Picture this: kids gathered around a campfire, eagerly shaking up their bags of ice cream ingredients. It's like a DIY science experiment with a delicious twist! The best part? There are no rules for cowboy ice cream - you can mix in your favorite toppings, from chocolate chips to gummy bears, for a personalized touch that guarantees smiles all around.
Just imagine the look of amazement on a child's face as they witness the magic of turning liquid ingredients into creamy ice cream right before their eyes. The process is simple yet mesmerizing, making it both educational and entertaining. Cowboy ice cream isn't just about indulging in a cool treat; it's about creating memories and fostering creativity in the kitchen. So gather your little cowboys and cowgirls, round up those ingredients, and let the fun-filled ice cream-making extravaganza begin!
Theme days for Summer
Speaking of a fun Western theme, I have LOTS of fun theme weeks that will make a great option for slow summer days. Theme weeks are also an easy way to tie in some review work for kids. Each theme includes reading, writing, math, science experiments, and social studies.
Here are the themes available:
Camp Theme Summer Review
Beach Theme Summer Review
Sports Theme Summer Review
Superhero Theme Summer Review
Make sure you grab some washable paint, too! Each theme week has a t-shirt to decorate. You may need some old T-shirts or a few cheap white Haynes shirts.
Summer STEM
Now, here is my favorite summer idea for kids!
Summer STEM! Talk about quality time and free summer activities. Simply grab a paper plate, some duct tape, toilet paper rolls, and some aluminum foil, and you will have a creation station! Summer STEM is great for younger kids and older kids alike.
Summer STEM allows for some creative ways to spend time building and creating in the summer time. Plus, kids are thinking!
Kids will love creating and communicating whether you build a roller coaster or a water slide.
Summer STEM can be an excellent time for kids to express themselves creatively and practice critical thinking. Your kids will love summer STEM!
Summer Coloring or Summer Art Projects
Summer color-by-code and summer art projects are great ways to get kids off video games and allow them to have some quiet, reflective time.
Another fun idea for summer art projects is a 4th of July craft!
Building Forts in the Living Room
Ready for some indoor fun?
Transform your living room into a fortress of imagination with just some old sheets and a dash of creativity. Forget the standard blanket fort; elevate your fort game by creating an epic hideaway complete with secret passages and cozy nooks for reading adventures. Encourage your child to be the architect of their dreams, fostering independence and problem-solving skills.
As you drape the sheets over furniture and secure them with sturdy clips, watch as ordinary couches and chairs morph into castle walls and turrets before your eyes. The magic of building forts lies in the physical structure and the memories created within these makeshift strongholds. Let your living room become a battleground for epic pillow fights or a tranquil retreat for storytelling under the stars (created by twinkling fairy lights). Join the fun; after all, who says fort-building is just for kids?
Local Library or Summer Readers
Ah, the local library in summer - a magical oasis where kids delve into the world of books like treasure hunters on a quest for literary gold. It's not just about escaping the blazing sun but about diving headfirst into adventures through the pages of beloved stories. With shelves brimming with summer reads waiting to be discovered, each book becomes a key to unlocking new worlds and unleashing imagination.
From whimsical picture books transporting kids to enchanted realms to captivating chapter books whisking older kids away on daring escapades, the local library is a playground of words where endless possibilities await. And let's remember the joy of participating in library programs that spark creativity and foster a love for reading among young minds. So this summer, swap sunscreen for pages and let the local library become your child's portal to infinite journeys through storytelling wonderland!
Do you need some fun summer emergent readers for kids just beginning their reading adventures?
Click here for emergent summer readers.
Summer Would You Rather
Summer Would You Rather is a fun activity for a hot summer day when it is too steamy to go outside!
Kids love Would You Rather, and this version does not disappoint.
Click here for Summer Would You Rather
Water balloon Fight
Are you ready to take awesome summer fun to the next level? Prepare for an epic water balloon fight that will make memories your kids will cherish forever! All you need are some colorful balloons, a hose for filling them up quickly, and a large bucket to store them. To add an extra element of surprise, consider using spray bottles filled with water as a sneaky way to catch your opponents off guard.
For a fantastic twist, try incorporating various water activities into the mix. From water guns to inflatable pools, the more wet and wild, the better! Encourage teamwork by setting up challenges like relay races or obstacle courses where participants must navigate through a sea of bursting balloons. With these creative ideas in tow, prepare for a day filled with laughter, friendly competition, and loads of splish-splash fun!
Here is a quick list of things you will need for a water balloon fight:
Colorful balloons
A hose to fill up the balloons
A large bucket to carry the balloons
Spray bottles
Water
Story Time with Summer Reading
With the summer blues threatening to dampen kids' days on break, there's no better way to combat boredom than diving into a world of enchanting stories. Story Time with Summer Reading offers a gateway to endless adventures and imagination that can transport young minds far beyond the confines of their homes. Parents can ensure that their little ones are equipped with the perfect antidote for those long, lazy afternoons by planning ahead and curating a collection of engaging books.
Imagine a day by the pool transformed into an epic quest alongside brave heroes or a lazy picnic in the park turning into a magical tea party filled with whimsical creatures. Through storytelling, children can escape reality and immerse themselves in worlds where anything is possible, and every page holds new wonders waiting to be discovered. So compact those summer blues away by stocking up on tales that ignite curiosity, inspire creativity and turn ordinary days into extraordinary adventures.
List of Summer Books for Kids:
* These are affiliate links, which means the price stays the same for you, but I earn a very small commission on the purchase.
The Fort by Laura Perdew
What the Road Said by Cleo Wade
A Weekend With Wendel by Kevin Henkes
The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant
Say Something by Peter Reynolds
Now by Antoinette Portis
I Hope You Dance by Mark Sanders & Tia Sillers
Maybe by Kobi Yamada
The Night Before Summer Vacation by Natasha Wings
Want some summer STEM to go along with these titles? Click here.
Outdoor Adventure or Backyard Obstacle Course
As the kids enter the great outdoors, their eyes light up with excitement at the prospect of embarking on a thrilling outdoor adventure or conquering a backyard obstacle course. The fresh air fills their lungs with vitality, and they eagerly anticipate the challenges. With each step, they discover new opportunities for exploration and discovery, fueling their sense of curiosity and wonder.
The outdoor setting provides an expansive playground to unleash their energy and creativity, encouraging them to push beyond their limits and discover hidden strengths. Whether they are navigating through rugged terrain or balancing on makeshift structures in the backyard, each obstacle presents an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. As they overcome obstacles together, they forge deeper bonds of friendship and camaraderie that will last a lifetime.
Summer is the perfect time for kids to let loose and have fun in the sun with the whole family. With these 11 exciting activities, boredom doesn't stand a chance, and you won't go stir-crazy while facing the summer blues. From water balloon fights to outdoor movie nights, there's something for every child to enjoy. So grab your sunscreen, gather your gang, and prepare for a summer full of laughter and memories.
In conclusion, summer is the perfect time to get creative and have fun with your kids. With these 11 exciting ideas, you can keep them entertained and engaged all summer. From outdoor adventures to craft projects, there's something for every child to enjoy.