21 Best Summer Activities for Kids to Have A Blast

Summer is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to plan some fun summer activities for kids. With school out, your home is about to become a hub of energy and excitement. To keep your little ones engaged and learning, we’ve put together a list of 21 summer activities that are not only fun but also offer great learning experiences. Get ready to create unforgettable family moments this holiday season!

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6 Backyard Summer Activities for Kids

1. Backyard Camping

Take out your portable tents, dig a small fire pit in your backyard, and you are all set to spend summer in your backyard. Your kids can roast marshmallows and dance around a fire pit every night instead of coping with gadgets in their rooms. This is one of the perfect things to do over the summer, offering a blend of adventure, bonding, and screen-free fun right at home.

2. Backyard Stargazing

If putting a tent and fire pit in your backyard is not possible, you can lay down a bed sheet and watch stars in the clear summer sky. You can even buy those fancy telescopes and use the summer holiday as an opportunity to introduce astronomy to your kids. 

3. Backyard Bird Watching

You can put a bird feeder and water pitcher in your backyard to attract some migratory birds this summer. Using old cardboard boxes and paint, you can also build a DIY bird feeder with your kids. Your kids can watch rare bird species in your backyard and develop empathy towards these little creatures. This is one of the most wonderful summer nature activities for kids, encouraging them to connect with wildlife and appreciate the beauty of nature.

4. Backyard Obstacle Course

You can build an obstacle course in your backyard that your kids and their friends can use to play and stay active all summer. Using jumping ropes, old tires, stones, and hoses, you can build a miniature version of a military-level obstacle course in your backyard. It is a bit of work on your part, but once it is done, your kids will not leave the backyard for the whole summer – that’s a guarantee. 

5. DIY Slip ‘n Slide

Transform your backyard into a splashy adventure by laying down a long sheet of plastic, wetting it thoroughly with a hose, and adding a little soap for extra slipperiness. This exciting activity lets the kids slide and glide, providing endless laughter and fun. Perfect for those looking for outdoor summer activities for kids, it’s a great way to beat the heat while staying active.

6. Open Movie Theater

You can order a portable projector and play your kid’s favorite movies on a big screen in your backyard, offering memorable nighttime summer activities for kids. This can create lasting memories for your family, cherished even as your kids grow older.

5 Art Summer Activities for Kids

1. Splash Color Balloons 

This is a messy but enjoyable art activity that your whole family can enjoy together. Grab some water balloons and cheap white t-shirts from your local store. Then, put colorful water in balloons, wear those new white t-shirts and splash color balloons on one another to create DIY dyed t-shirts at home. 

2. Paint Windows

If your kids are big enough to handle emulsion paint, use the summer holidays to upscale your home. You can paint your old faded house windows with your kids. Also, let kids paint colorful flowers, patterns, and cartoon characters on windows.

3. Print with Pebbles

Take your kids out for an evening stroll to enjoy the fresh air and collect different shapes of pebbles present on the street. Once they have a decent pebbles collection, let them dip them in paint and use them to create a colorful abstract painting. 

4. Learn to Cook

Summers are the perfect time to pass on your family recipes to your kids. You can appoint your kid as your assistant chef and let them help you in the kitchen for the whole summer holidays. This activity can help to develop culinary skills among your kids. 

Related Reading: Best & Fun Cooking Activities for Preschoolers

5. Make Clay Objects

If you are looking for fun indoor summer activities, you can get a small clay oven for your kids and let them create different clay objects all summer in your garage. If possible, enroll your kid into clay making online class so they can sculpt some excellent home decor items for you. 

Related Reading: Best Summer Art Project Ideas for Kids

5 Pool Summer Activities for Kids 

1. Marco Polo

A classic pool game where one player closes their eyes and tries to tag the other players by calling out “Marco” while they respond with “Polo” and try to avoid being caught.

2. Pool Obstacle Course

This is a pool version of an obstacle course. Your entire family can enjoy this pool activity together. You can create a difficult or simple obstacle course in the pool based on your kids’ age. To create an obstacle course, use waste pool floats, pool noodles, hula hoops, etc. 

3. Water Volleyball

Water Volleyball adds a splash of excitement to pool time! Set up a net across the pool and watch as kids dive, spike, and serve their way to victory. It’s a refreshing twist on the classic game, providing both exercise and enjoyment while keeping everyone cool and entertained in the water.

4. Pool Noodle Race

Make a splash with Pool Noodle Races! Let kids race across the pool, using pool noodles as floats or paddles for an exciting aquatic adventure. Add obstacles or turn it into a relay race for extra excitement and friendly competition, making pool time even more fun and engaging for everyone involved.

5. Summer Pool Olympics

If you have a decent-sized pool at your home or in society, use it to host pool Olympics. You can invite over your kid’s friends and organize a series of pool games for them, including relay races, water volleyball, and more. You can maintain a scoreboard and even order medals to make your pool Olympics more natural and fun. 

5 Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids

1. Explore Local Festivals

Summer is loaded with fests where you can enjoy good food and fun rides with your kids. So, go online and search for intimate local festivals that are being held in your city to take your kids and have some fun.

2. Go to Nursery

Do you want to develop a gardening hobby among your kids? Then, take them to a local nursery in your area and show them different types of flowers. You can also ask them to pick a few flowers to put in your home garden. Also, look if any flower festivals are going around in your city to take your kids.

Related Reading: How to Make Gardening With Children Fun and Educational

3. Visit an Orphanage/Old Age Home

One of the best outdoor summer activities is to to encourage your kids to do some volunteer work. Take your kids to a nursing home or orphanage to allow them to help other people and show empathy in a better manner.

4. Go on a Picnic

To celebrate a bright sunny day with your family, pack a picnic basket and visit your local park. You can enjoy good food, outdoor games, and laughter with your kids while basking in the fresh sun rays.

5. Scavenger Hunt 

Who doesn’t love scavenger hunts? So, you can host an indoor or outdoor scavenger hunt for your kids and their friends this summer. For your scavenger hunt, you can choose a unique theme to make kids more exciting, like the detective theme, animal theme, etc. 

Conclusion

These engaging and creative summer activity ideas are perfect for ensuring your children have a memorable and active season. Embrace these summer activities for kids to make the most of your summer and create lasting family memories.

Related Reading: Best Summer Activities for Preschoolers

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