Summer Activities for Kids

Put down the controllers and turn off the TV – it’s time to do something fun… together! Here are over 50 summer activities for kids that don’t require any screen time!

Here are a few more summer projects and activities we think you’ll love – 10 Favorite Boredom Buster Crafts for Kids, Tips for an ice cream party, and How to Make the best outdoor play station.

The kids are out of school, there are no more homework assignments or project deadlines, and that means it’s time to hit the pool, create projects, and enjoy some quality family time! (Is there anything better than that?!?)

Today I thought it would be fun to feature some summer activities for kids that will encourage just a bit less TV watching and video game playing. Take a look –

50 Summer Activities for Kids

*All ideas mentioned in the video above are linked below. 

Hands On Activities

1. Ivory Soap Experiment, from Meg O On the Go. A fun activity that takes literally two minutes to do with a lot of fun playtime afterward.

2. Homemade Playdough – Super soft and easy to mold, this playdough recipe really is the best homemade playdough recipe ever!!!

3. Slime – Three ingredients, no cleaning chemicals, and no food coloring! Here is how to make slime that is safe for kids and a ton of fun!!!

4. Homemade Crayons – How to take those broken crayons and make new, fun colorful crayons with your kids.

5. Wacky Sacks – DIY stress balls that are easy to make and provide HOURS of fun!

Fun with Food

6. Beach Bear Snacks from Craft Create Cook. Your kids will love these beach bear grahams and they are so easy to make and only take a few minutes.

7. Food Faces from At Second Street. This idea is a MUST-SEE! It is seriously so cute and fun!

8. Very Hungry Caterpillar Snacks from Little Food Junction. A favorite childhood book comes to life with some grapes and a cherry tomato.

9. Celery Snails + Caterpillars from Woman’s Day. These adorable snacks take ants on a log to the next level.

10. Magic Wand Fruit Kabobs are fun, fresh and delicious!

Service Ideas

11. Make Birthday Cards for Foster Kids – Turn a simple afternoon art project into a meaningful birthday celebration.

12. Make Goodies for the Homeless – A thoughtful gesture that doesn’t require much time or money.

13. Christmas in July for a Neighbor or Friend – Sending a gift or Pick-Me-Up to a family in need doesn’t have to wait ’til December!

Reading Activities

14. Cereal Box Totes are simple to create and they make the perfect totes for the library!

15. Storybook Fun from Brassy Apple. A fun day around the house and around town dressed as your favorite storybook characters.

16. On the Go Book from At Second Street. A darling felt book with games and activities that will keep kids entertained!

17. Grab some pillows and blankets, download our darling free printables, and start making memories at your family reading night!

18. Butterfly Quiet Book from Sunshine Lollipops and Rainbows. Free templates included so you can create your own!

Family Games

19. Go on a Scavenger Hunt – Get ready to explore the great outdoors! A Paint Chip Scavenger Hunt for Kids is such a fun way to beat summer boredom!

20. Mini Bowling – This adorable and fun gnome mini bowling set is so quick and easy to make, and it is the perfect kids bowling activity to do indoors!

21. Bored Jar + Printable Activities – Some of the activities are fun, some of them are not, so before my kids decide to have meentertain them, they really need to decide if its worth it or not!

22. Play the Thimble Game – This idea brought back memories of my childhood! We used to play it with a cup of water and a spoon, but using a thimble is even cuter! Get the simple directions for the thimble game at Over the Big Moon.

23. Plan a family Mary Poppins Movie Night.

Indoor Activities

24. Make an indoor maze with painters tape, from What Moms Love.

25. Paint with Kool-Aid – Grab a few non-traditional supplies and make your own paint with starch and powdered drink mix!

26. Make your own Washi Tape race track, from Le Jardin de Juliet.

27. Drive In Movie Night – We’ve done family movie nights plenty of times before, but this drive in movie night party took the cake!

28. Family Puzzle – An easy, fun craft that can be customized to your liking!

29. This dry erase activity book is a fun idea for kids of all ages and is a perfect companion for church or even a long car ride.

Outdoor Activities

30. Marshmallow Wars – Making marshmallow shooters couldn’t be any easier, and they are very affordable too. Best of all, they offer HOURS of entertainment- yay!!!

31. Make your own bug catchers for a fun insect and critter hunt!

32. Looking for some good, clean fun? These bubble snakes can be ready in two minutes or less!

33. The little ones will LOVE Water Gun Painting out in the yard!

34. Make your own Water Knee Hockey Rink with a tarp and some duct tape!

35. Make some soap boats and have friendly soap races! (via I Heart Naptime)

36. Make your own Ice Pop Paints for a fun art masterpiece outside!

37. If your family loves hockey like mine does, you will love this outdoor water knee hockey rink.

38. Make your own giant slip and slide!

Arts and Crafts

39. Clay Cookies from Egg and Twig. This project combines some great elements of cooking, sculpture, and painting.

40. These paper dolls printables are a perfect way to combat summer boredom and spark children’s imaginations! Color the paper dolls + enjoy our colorful scenes!

41. Lace Princess Crowns from Girl Inspired

42. Rock Candy Experiment from Growing a Jeweled Rose. This activity is a beautiful science experiment and a yummy treat all in one.

43. Colored pasta bracelets are simple,fun and kids LOVE to make them!!

44. Build a Monster Printable – If sewing your own monster is not your thing, try this adorable Build A Monster PRINTABLE Kit!

45. Fabric Bookmarks – Fabric bookmarks are a perfect beginner sewing project for kids! It’s also a great way to use up some of those fabric scraps!

46. Create a Fairy Wand – Make your own fairy wand with a pencil + ribbon!

47. Clothes Pin Airplanes – Little kids will love making, painting, and then playing with these easy wood airplanes!

48. Washi Tape Butterflies – Grab a few rolls of washi tape and some basic craft supplies to make these super cute washi tape butterflies!

49. Mini Piñatas – These mini piñatas are an easy craft to make with your kids and are perfect for your next celebration!

50. Monarch Butterflies Lesson + Craft – Learn about Monarch Butterflies with these free printable workbook, then make a Life Cycle Craft the kids are sure to love!

51. Decorate a Tin Can Flower Pot – A no-mess, easy to make craft for the kids! With just a few basic supplies, make these simple + beautiful popsicle stick flower pots in minutes!

52. Paint with Kool-Aid – Grab a few non-traditional supplies and make your own paint with starch and powdered drink mix!

53. Make Puffy Paint – Using just a few supplies you have laying around the house, kids will love making their own puffy paint! Use them with our fun printable coloring pages!

54. Every little girl needs their own wand, right? Make your own fairy wand with a pencil + ribbon!

55. Make Your Own Homemade Crayons!

Summer Journal Activities

56. Give your kids a fun way to document their summer travels with this fun Mini Vacation Scrapbook!

57. Grab your FREE Summer Camp Printable Journal let your kids start documenting all the fun they had this summer!

58. This summer journal kit is the PERFECT way to encourage writing skills while creating a little keepsake of everyday activities and fun adventures!

Do you have a list of summer activities you plan to do with your kids?

I’d love to hear about them!

We hope this sparked some creativity and you’re ready to have some fun with your kids! Enjoy!