50+ of the BEST Kids Summer Fun Activities
50+ of the best kids summer fun activities…creative ideas for making this summer break extra memorable!
Most kids know the feeling of sitting in a desk and watching the clock for the final countdown before SUMMER arrives! For kids, summer is a magical time of the year full of exciting possibilities and endless fun, but for parents summer can be a bit intimidating. Let’s face it, it’s hard to come up with activities that will get your kids off the couch and outside enjoying the day.
Below are 50+ creative and fun activities to help parents make this summer the best yet! The following ideas are so unique and will empower parents with quick responses when hearing the phrase, “I’m bored”.
Sand Slime
Making and playing with slime is one activity that kids absolutely adore! This “Fish in a Bag” idea will add extra excitement to playing with slime.
Soap Boat Races
Soap Boat Races are easy to put together and a whole lot of slippery fun! Kids will love racing against each other in this fun activity.
Pizookies
If you haven’t tried pizookies then you are missing out my friend! Kids will have so much fun helping to bake this delicious dessert and of course eating it, yum!
Pizookie(Cookie Pizza) via I Heart Naptime
Squirt Gun Painting
Squirt Gun Painting is a unique twist on classic water color and kids will love it! This is definitely a winner and takes minimal effort to prepare.
Colorful Squirt Gun Painting via Fireflies + Mud Pies
Tricycle Car Wash
This DIY car wash is darling! It may take some work to put together, but if you’ve got the time kids will absolutely love this water adventure!
DIY Tricycle Car Wash via Design Mom
DIY Sponge Balls
DIY sponge balls are great for those hot summer days when the kids want to get wet! This idea is similar to water balloons but without the mess.
Sponge Balls via The Krazy Coupon Lady
Water Balloon Pinatas
Water Balloon Pinatas are an inexpensive alternative to the classic pinata and twice the fun during those hot summer days!
Water Balloon Pinatas via Milk Allergy Mom
Science Experiment
Want to avoid going outside? Try doing a science experiment inside! Kids will love seeing all the beautiful colors in these rainbow science experiments!
Glow in the Dark Bowling
Glow in the Dark Bowling is a crowd favorite and keeps kids entertained after the sun goes down. It’s simple to put together and so much fun!
Glow in the Dark Bowling via passion for savings
DIY Solar Oven
Creating solar ovens is always a fun activity and it teaches kids just how powerful and incredible the sun is. From cooking marshmallows to pizza this idea is a hit!
Make your Own Solar Oven via I Can Teach my Child
Family Picnic
Spend time together and go on a family picnic! This activity is sure to bring lots of laughter and quality bonding time. Make sure to bring fun games to play!
Tips for Creating a Memorable Family Picnic via home stories A to Z
Magnetic Fishing
Magnetic fishing is the perfect activity for younger kiddos who want to learn how to fish! Try adding a toy or treat to each fish for more fun!
Fun Felt DIY Magnetic Fish Game for Kids via Natural Beach Living
Color Scavenger Hunt
Get outside and enjoy the day with a color scavenger hunt! Kids will love exploring the outdoors looking for different colors.
Simple Color Scavenger Hunt for Kids via iheartcraftythings
Ice Block Treasure Hunt
Ice block treasure hunts are perfect for those kiddos who love the game I Spy. This is also a very inexpensive activity if you use objects you already have!
Summer Fun: Ice Block Treasure Hunting via The Inspired Home
Tie-Dye Beach Towel
Towels are used so often during summer and kids will have a blast designing their very own tie-dye towel!
End of Summer Tie-Dye Beach Towels via Learning Resources
Giant Nail Salon
Get out the paints and get ready for some fun! A giant nail salon helps kids exercise their creativity and they love it.
Giant Nail Salon for Kids via Happy Toddler Playtime
Family Bike Ride
Who says summer fun can’t involve exercise? Family bike rides are a great way to get out of the house and enjoy some sun rays!
The Ten Best Tips for Family Bike Rides via Thrifty Nifty Mommy
Berry Picking
Berry picking is one of my favorite activities! Watch as the kiddos get so excited as they search for the perfect berry. The berries also taste delicious on some vanilla ice cream “wink wink”.
Summer Berry Picking via Camille Styles
Build a Fort
Building a fort is not only extremely fun but it helps kids develop some engineering skills! Plus it’s makes for the perfect nook to read books and watch movies!
Blanket Fort Family Night via The Littles & Me
Ice Cream in a Bag
Ice cream in a bag is a classic summer activity that os so simple and tastes so delicious. Kids will love having their own bag of ice cream that they made!
Ice Cream in a Bag via delish
Pipe Cleaner Butterfly Rings
Pipe cleaner should be a staple in everyones home because of all the fun crafts that you can do with it! Kids will have so much fun creating their own rings to wear around.
How to Make Pipe Cleaner Butterfly Rings via one little project
Family Campout
Want to get away from the city? Try having a family campout! Kids will love being able to run around and explore the outdoors!
Genius Hacks for Camping with Kids via Four Around the World
Bubble Snake Maker
This is not your normal bubble machine! This bubble snake maker is an affordable unique craft that kiddos will have so much fun creating.
How to Make a Bubble Snake Maker via The Mad House
Sensory Box Game
Take some time to help develop your child’s memory and sensory skills with this sensory box game! The entire family will love testing their skills with this game.
Simple DIY Guess What’s in the Box Sensory Game via Hands On as we grow
Pass the Water Game
This water game is probably one of the most inexpensive and easy to put together summer activity that you’ll find! This is definitely an idea to keep in your parent tool box.
Pass the Water via A Girl and a Glue Gun
Outdoor Name Art
Kids love writing their name and will love painting it even more! This name art craft is an easy to put together fun summer activity!
Outdoor Name Art Activity via Busy Toddler
Family Pizza Night
Who doesn’t love pizza? A pizza night is a fabulous summer activity and can be paired with a fun family movie night!
Decorate Cupcakes
Time to get out those sprinkles! Decorating cupcakes is so much fun for everyone but especially kids. Here’s a delicious buttercream recipe to get you started!
Classic Buttercream Frosting Recipe via I Heart Naptime
DIY Lava Lamps
Lava lamps will forever be one of the coolest inventions. This DIY lava lamp will for sure be an exciting summer activity for any kiddo!
How to Make a Lava Lamp via Mashable
Marshmallow Shooters
Here’s a twist on the classic PVC marshmallow gun. These shooters are extremely simple to put together and kids love them!
Drive-In Movie Cars
This is one of my all time favorite ideas! Drive-In cardboard cars are a blast for kids to design and even more fun for them to sit in while watching a movie. This idea is even more fun with a group of kids!
DIY Cardboard Box Cars via Just Add Confetti
Paint Rocks
Painting rocks is so simple that we often forget how much fun it is. The truth is that kids love it and the rocks make for beautiful additions to the garden!
How to Paint Rocks and Rock Painting Ideas via Rhythms of Play
Garden
Kids are fascinated with how things grow and this juice box garden is a fantastic way to teach kids how to care for a plant!
Upcycled Planter Flower Garden for Kids via Hands On As We Grow
Pool Noodle Sprinkler
Why spend money at the store for an expensive water sprinkler for the kids to run through when you can make your own! This pool noodle sprinkler is affordable and a blast for the kiddos.
DIY Pool Noodle Sprinkler via Capturing Parenthood
Water Balloon Fight
Summer would not be the same without the classic water balloon fight. This classic game is so much fun but can be a little stressful preparing for it. Below are some tips for organizing the perfect water balloon fight!
How to Make a Water Balloon Fight Easier via Get Your holiday On
DIY Chalk
Avoid trips to the grocery store to replace broken chalk bits and make your own! This DIY chalk recipe is a staple for every household during the summer months.
Homemade Chalk from Yesterday on Tuesday
Fairy Garden
This fairy garden idea is perfect for those kiddos who love crafting. This can sit inside or outside by the garden.
Dollar Tree DIY Fairy Garden for Kids via Life. Family. Joy.
Backyard Tight Rope
Test your kids balance with this fun backyard tight rope! Get out the camera because this activity is going to be a lot of fun!
Backyard Tight-Rope{Activity for Kids} via Kids Activities
Butterfly Craft
This butterfly craft is easy for kids to do and looks amazing in the window! It can also be turned into a teaching moment about metamorphosis.
Seashell Picture Frame
Ever wonder what to do with all those shells your kids snagged from the beach? Add them to a picture frame! This seashell picture frame is so beautiful and easy to make!
Seashell Frame via Make It Your Own
DIY Water Blob
How fun is this?! This DIY water blob is a great way to keep kiddos off of the hot ground and as you can imagine kids love it!
How to Make Mini Water Blobs via Hello, Wonderful
Cornhole
This popular game has gotten a lot of popularity recently. Cornhole is a wonderful addition to every backyard and with it brings loads of fun!
DIY Cornhole Game via Lovely Indeed
Backyard Movie Night
Everyone needs to experience a backyard movie night at least once in their lifetime! This is a great idea for slumber parties, birthday parties, and Friday nights!
Backyard Movie Night at Home for Summer via Life by Leanna
Flamingo Ring Toss
Try this unique version of ring toss for extra fun this summer! Kids will have a blast attempting to throw a ring around the flamingos neck and everyone else will love watching them try!
DIY Flamingo Ring Toss Game via Sugar & Cloth
Dinosaur Fossils
Got kids who loves dinosaurs? These dinosaur fossils are for you! This activity is not only so much fun but also a great opportunity to kids about fossils.
Dinosaur Fossils for Kids via Made to be a Momma
Lemonade Stand
I love lemonade stands. They teach kids entrepreneurship and make lots of people smile. The link below shows some fun ways to decorate a lemonade stand!
How to Build a Perfectly Portable Lemonade Stand via HGTV
Puppet Show
Spend an afternoon developing creativity with a DIY puppet show! Puppet shows allow kids to be their goofy selves and bond with their siblings and friends!
DIY Doorway Puppet Theatre via Gluesticks
Bird House
Constructing a bird house is a wonderful bonding experience between parent and child and kids love it when the birds come to eat!
DIY Pop Stick Bird House Feeder via Crafts for Kids
Snow Cone
Whether in a cup or cone, snow cones are a must during the summer. Below is a link to a homemade syrup recipe that kids will love!
DIY Slip n Slide
Slip n slides should be on everyone’s summer bucket list! They are so entertaining and don’t need to be expensive! Check out this DIY slip n slide below for affordable fun!
How to Build a Huge Slip n Slide for Under $50 via All Things Thrifty
Thanks so much for including three of my projects, this is an awesome round up! Pinning right now!
Best roundup ever! So many great ideas, Katie!! Thanks for including our snake socks (; My 6 yr is saying “let’s make one right now!” XO
Thank you SO much for adding 2 C.R.A.F.T.’s to the list! Sharing this list now!
Thanks for including my Lava Lamp!! 😀
Great ideas!! These activities will definitely keep the kiddos entertained for the summer! Thanks so much for sharing them all!!
Thanks for including our Oreo Phases of the Moon. I’ll be sharing this link with my readers.
A great list, thank you – I love the coupon idea. Perfect for “I’m bored……” moments.
I LOVE the crafts here! My favorite ones are the summertime games. I want to do ALL of the games for my birthday in the summer! Thank you!