60 Summer Activities for Kids

Summer break is just around the corner or your kids may already be out of school.  As a child you live for summer break but as a parent dealing with the “I’m bored” can be a challenge.  

There are so many different ways to go about keeping your kids busy during the summer so that they do not spend all day in front of the tv.  Having a set schedule where the day is planned in general terms (ie: 9am outside play, 10am special activity, 11am eat lunch, 12pm quiet time, etc.) is a good way.  If you want a less structured day try having your child complete 20 minutes of reading, a chore and 40 minutes of outside play, etc. each day.  

You could also make a boredom jar where your child can pull out an activity to do.  Another idea is to create a summer bucket list and try to complete as many items on that list as possible; could be one each day or one a week.

Below are some ideas to help you get through summer break: 

Field Trips/Day Trips

1. Trip to a Zoo or Aquarium to learn about animals
2. Trip to a Museum to learn about the arts, science or history
3. Visit a Park to let off energy (visit early before it gets too hot)
4. Go for a Swim
5. Have a Picnic
6. Visit a Fair or Amusement Park
7. Trip to an Aquarium
8. Go for a Hike
9. Visit a Splash Pad/Fountains
10. Take a trip to the Library
11. Go Bowling
12. Attend a Free Workshop from Lowe’s, Home Deport or Bass Pro
13. Visit a local Historic Landmark
14. Go Fishing
15. See a Sporting Event
16. Visit a Indoor Bounce or Trampoline place
17. Go to a Beach, Lake or Stream
18. Pick berries at a U-pick Farm
19. Go to a Movie (many theaters offer summer specials)

Inside Activities

1. Play a Board Game
2. Put together a Puzzle
3. Make homemade Ice Cream
4. Read a Book
5. Make a Blanket Fort and Camp Inside
6. Create Glitter Slime
7. Make a necklace from Recycled Paper Beads
8. Paint a Picture
9. Make and Fly Paper Airplanes
10. Make homemade Playdough (Marshmallow Playdough or Scented)
11. Create a Scrapbook or Journal about your summer
12. Play Hide and Seek
13. Cook lunch or dinner
14. Dance party 
15. Assemble Legos
16. Play with Kinetic Sand
17. Do a Science Activity
18. Bake Cookies
19. Color 
20. Build something out of Legos
21. Snowball Fight with Balled Up Socks or Crumbled up Newspaper
22. Have a Tea Party

Outside Activities

1. Create Small World Play (Farm, Dinosaur Swamp, Arctic, Ocean, Fantasy)
2. Backyard Scavenger Hunt
3. Wash Outside Toys or Bike
4. Make Bubble Snakes
5. Create a Sidewalk Chalk Painting with Water Guns
6. Run through the Sprinkler
7. Go for a Bike Ride
8. Play a Sport (baseball, soccer, tennis, etc.)
9. Assemble a Nature Wand
10. Water Balloon Fight 
11. Play Hopscotch
12. Jump Rope
13. Catch Bugs
14. Take a Walk
15. Make an Ice Cube Painting
16. Plant a Garden
17. Fly a Kite
18. Water Gun Fight
19. Pick Flowers

I hope you have a wonderful summer full of lots of memories!

What is your go to summer activity for your kids?  Or a favorite activity from your childhood?