Summer is here, kids are home, and you may have already heard the words “I’m bored” a dozen times. Here are over 100 summer activities for kids for those moments when the kids are looking for something to do. In this list you will find indoor and outdoor activities, activities for learning, and activities for when you need to get out of the house.
First, let me preface this by saying that it is okay for kids to be bored. (Like I have said in my other activity posts.) Boredom is great for kids, and it is not your responsibility to keep your kids entertained 24/7. I know social media makes it seem like kids need all these intricate activities, and things to keep them busy. They don’t.
Sometimes I miss the way we grew up in the 90’s. Things just seemed so much simpler. You found your friends by looking for the pile of bikes in the grass, you played in the dirt, you used your imagination. Boredom was simply fuel for imagination and creativity.
Anyway… Let’s get to it!
Nostalgia aside, having an idea of things to do when you are looking for an activity to do with your kids, or ideas to pass on to them when they say “mom!!! I’m bored!” can be really helpful.
Along with this list here, I have created a free printable “Summer Bucket List” that you can hang on your fridge for kids to find inspiration from!
So here we go! Fun summer activities for kids!
Indoor Summer Activities for Kids
For those rainy days, or even when it’s just too hot to be outside. These are some easy and fun indoor activities that kids can do on their own to stay busy.
- Make Ice Cream or Popsicles
- Make Lemonade
- Make root beer floats
- Help cook dinner or cook dinner for the family (For the older kids) – Click here to read about my tips for cooking with kids!
- Build with Legos
- Build with Magnatiles
- Make a ball run with recyclables
- Read a chapter book
- Do a puzzle
- Draw or paint a picture
- Have a slumber party
- Play board games
- Bake something
- Make pizza
- Do oragami
- Play with play dough / slime / clay
- Make bead bracelets, necklaces, keychains, etc.
- Play “the floor is lava”
- Build a blanket fort
- Learn how to draw something new – Youtube has some great channels for learning how to draw.
- Mad Libs
- Make shadow puppets
- Build something with cardboard boxes
- Try a new food
- Obstacle Course
Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids
I feel like being outside is the cure-all for just about everything. Bad attitude? Go outside. Feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated? Move on outside! Kids are going crazy? Send them outside! Outside activities are my favorite, and here is a big list of things kids can do outside this summer.
- Ride Bikes
- Rollerblade or Rollerskate
- Skateboard
- Go for a walk
- Play Tag or Flashlight tag
- Play with bubbles
- Draw with sidewalk chalk
- Make sidewalk chalk paint
- Go swimming
- Play in the sprinkler
- Have a picnic
- Watch a movie outside
- Build a sandcastle
- Have a water balloon fight
- Pick wild flowers
- Go fishing
- Go for a hike
- Start a garden
- Play capture the flag
- Go canoeing / kayaking / paddle boarding
- Make flower crowns
- Practice a sport
- Fly a kite
- Do a scavenger hunt
- Backyard camping
- Make s’mores
- Collect rocks
- Mushroom Hunting – *IMPORTANT* Make sure to research, and that you know which ones are edible and not edible before hand!
- Play hopscotch
- Play kickball
- Hula Hoop
- Jump Rope
- Horseback Riding
- Play fetch with the dog
- Birdwatching
Learning Summer Activities for Kids
Beat the summer slide with activities that keep kids brains working! There are so many activities that are fun and involve learning. Here are just a few ideas for your kids this summer.
- Participate in your library’s summer reading challenge
- Have a lemonade stand
- Write a letter to a friend or family member
- Write a Story
- Do crafts
- Make Playdough or Slime
- Make a bird feeder
- Volunteer – nursing home, Miracle League, animal shelter, library, soup kitchen, etc.
- Learn to play an instrument
- Learn to sew
- Make sensory bottles
- Make a tornado in a bottle
- Make sun catchers – Check out my simple sun catcher craft here!
- Make wild flower “bombs”
- Bury a time capsule
- Cook a dish from another country
- Make different kinds of paper airplanes
- Make your own movie and show if to family and friends
- Ice painting
- Tie-dye
- Make homemade dog and/or cat treats to take to your local animal shelter
Away from the House Summer Activities for Kids
Some days you just need to get out of the house! I get it! Here are some fun activities for the whole family when you need to leave the house for a bit.
- Go bowling – See my free activities post here to find out how to bowl for free all summer long!
- Visit the zoo
- Visit an aquarium
- Go to the Science or Children’s Museum
- Visit an art museum
- Tour a Fire Station
- Go to the splash pad
- Visit an indoor playground
- See a play
- Buy a new outfit from a thrift store
- Go to Home Depot’s kid’s workshop
- Go minigolfing
- Ride go karts
- Go to the batting cages
- Go Ice skating or to the roller rink
- Go to the library
- Take swimming lessons
- Visit the park
- Go to the beach
- Drive in Movie Theater
- Watch Fireworks
- Go to a sporting event
Free Printable Summer Bucket List
I hope you found some inspiration here in this list of summer activities. And I hope it can continue to inspire you and you children this summer with this free printable “summer bucket list.”
What are some of your favorite summer activities for kids or for the whole family? Do you have anything fun planned for summer break this year? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Looking for more activity inspiration? Find it here!
Screen Free Activities for Kids
Craft Supplies to Keep In the House
Family Activities To Do At Home
You are doing a great job!
