Summer days are here. Kids already telling you they are bored? Never fear, here are 100 things to do this summer with kids! Check out this bucket list of things to do on summer vacation.
Over 100 things to do this summer with kids!
- Build and fly kites
- Swing on swings
- Plant a veggie garden.
- Go swimming
- Go bird watching - even in your back yard
- Blow bubbles -make your own bubble mix
- Pick up and recycle trash
- Eat dinner outside together as a family -have a picnic
- Look under big rocks to see how many bugs you can find
- Get to know your neighbors
- Go on a scavenger hunt
- Go play at the park
- Splash in puddles (made from rain or your hose)
- Dig in the dirt
- Build sandcastles
- Create sidewalk chalk murals and cities
- Ride bikes, skateboards, roller skates on your driveway. Don’t forget bike helmets!
- Go to the beach or a public pool or park
- Pick up sticks, flowers, leaves and other outside stuff and make a collage
- Build a fort inside on a rainy day
- Find a caterpillar and keep in a jar (with airholes) to watch it transform to a butterfly!
- Build a fairy garden
- Plant flowers in the ground or in pots
- Pull weeds (for your neighbor too!)
- Play tag
- Make boats out of milk cartons and sail them in a wading pool
- Wave at cars and people walking by (stay out of the road)
- Catch lightening bugs (I miss this! None here in the PNW)
- Hang a sheet for a curtain and put on a talent show. Invite the neighbors!
- Play catch
- Go hiking
- Run through a sprinkler or a garden hose
- Jump rope
- Read books in a hammock
- Watch a sunrise or a sunset
- Have a lemonade stand
- Make mud-pies (but don't eat them!)
- Lay in the grass and watch the clouds
- Watch the night sky for shooting stars. Look for constellations
- Take pictures of nature and make an album
- Have a tea party or teddy bear picnic
- Use a magnifying glass to play outdoor detective and check out things up close
- Use a projector & a sheet for a family movie night. — Don’t forget the popcorn!
- Go to a local farmer’s market and buy some fresh fruits and veggies
- Go fishing and eat your catch!
- Skip rocks on water
- Make artwork from found objects
- Plant a tree and measure it while it grows
- Enjoy a campfire or fire pit and make smores
- Make a birdbath or a bird feeder
- Get books about plants, flowers, animals and trees at the library and then try to find them outside.
- Play frisbee
- Help an elderly neighbor
- Wash the car or bikes
- Have a water fight (balloons optional!)
- Use tissue paper and unwrapped crayons to make rubbings of leaves and tree bark
- Play hide and go seek
- Go camping or sleep outside in a tent
- Climb a tree
- On a rainy day, play outside in your swimming suits
- Do an alphabet walk where you look for different items starting with different letters
- Play hopscotch.
- Practice walking like other animals. Slither like a snake, hop like a rabbit, etc.
- Create an obstacle course.
- On rainy days, print out coloring pages or other projects and get crafty.
- Make yummy treats for the 4th of July!
- Play in a wading or infant pool.
- Show your kids how to use a compass to find directions
- Visit a stream, pond, ocean or lake and investigate the different creatures and nature you find. Get a book from the library to help.
- Teach your kids games from your childhood like ring-around-the-rosie, red rover, simon says & more
- Coordinate a field day with sack races, wheel barrow races, 3 legged races etc
- Go to free days at local zoos, national parks, festivals etc.
- Paint large rocks and place them as stepping stones in your yard
- Tie-dye t-shirts or other clothing
- Watch a movie outside!
- Make musical instruments with pots, pans, boxes and more! Have a parade!
- But really, go outside and play!
- Check out shark ideas for shark week
- Play trampoline games!
Looking for even more things do this summer? We have summer activities for kids each month!
From June to August, check out our other posts on things to do this summer! There's something for every occasion!
Things to do in June!
Things to do in July!
Things to do in August!
Josi
I love this list - it reminds me of when I was 11 or 12 and wrote in notebooks "Things to Do" on boring summer days. Today is my son's last day of kindergarten and this is perfect for ideas to keep my kids busy! Thanks
Christy
I can't wait to get outside more with the kids this summer. Thanks for the fun list!
Sam Wallace
This list of over 100 things to do this summer with kids is a game-changer! ☀️👨👩👧👦 So many fun and creative ideas to keep the little ones entertained. Thanks for the awesome inspiration – summer is looking bright and full of adventures!