72 Exciting Summer Activities Kids Will Love

What do you do when the kids are home all summer and the usual games start to feel boring?

Some days it rains, some afternoons are too hot to play outside, and other times kids just need something fresh to stay busy. That’s when parents start looking for easy, interesting ways to keep their kids happy.

I put together this list of fun summer activities for kids that work both indoors and outdoors, so families always have options ready.

You’ll find quick boredom busters, creative crafts, food projects, pretend play, and bigger challenges that can fill an afternoon.

These ideas are simple to set up, use supplies you already have, and make summer days easier for parents while keeping kids entertained.

Fun Summer Activities for Kids

Keeping kids busy during the summer doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With a little planning, you can mix creativity, play, learning, and relaxation into their days.

Creative Arts and Crafts

Hands-on projects spark imagination and let kids create something of their own. These crafts are simple to set up, budget-friendly, and fun both indoors and outdoors.

1. Slime Making: Kids love mixing glue and safe household ingredients to create stretchy slime. Parents like it because it keeps kids busy for hours with hands-on sensory play.
2. Homemade Playdough: Simple ingredients like flour and salt turn into soft dough for molding shapes. It’s reusable, safe, and helps kids build fine motor skills while having fun.
3. Rock Painting: Collect smooth rocks and paint them into animals, faces, or bright patterns. It’s a creative project that also makes fun keepsakes for the garden or home.
4. Paper Collages: Cut paper into shapes and glue them into colorful designs. This easy craft uses supplies you already have and introduces kids to patterns and imagination.
5. Tie-Dye Shirts: Use fabric dye or markers to turn plain shirts into colorful art. Parents appreciate that it’s both creative and practical since kids can wear their designs.
6. Pasta Jewelry: Paint pasta pieces and string them into necklaces or bracelets. It’s low-cost, colorful, and gives kids something fun to wear or gift.
7. Cardboard Castles: Turn boxes into towers, doors, and walls for imaginative play. Parents love it because it recycles old materials while entertaining kids for hours.
8. Chalk Murals Outside: Give kids sidewalk chalk to cover driveways or sidewalks with drawings. It’s big, colorful, and fun, and it washes away easily with water.
9. Nature Collages: Collect leaves, flowers, or twigs outside and glue them onto paper. This connects kids with nature while letting them design unique creations.
10. Water Painting on Sidewalks: Hand kids brushes and a bucket of water to “paint” the driveway or fence. It’s mess-free, creative, and the artwork disappears as it dries.
11. Bubble Art: Mix paint into bubble solution and let kids blow colorful bubbles onto paper. It’s a playful way to combine science and creativity.
12. DIY Puppets: Use socks, paper bags, or craft supplies to make funny characters. Kids can use their puppets for shows, giving hours of storytelling fun.

Active Outdoor Play

Classic outdoor games help kids burn energy, enjoy fresh air, and play together. These ideas are simple to organize and perfect for summer afternoons.

13. Water Balloon Fights: Kids toss water balloons in teams or one-on-one for splashy fun. Parents love it as a quick way to cool off and keep kids active outdoors.
14. Backyard Sports: Simple games like soccer, basketball, or badminton get kids moving. They’re flexible, use whatever gear you have, and build teamwork skills.
15. Bike Rides: Riding around the block or park gives kids freedom and exercise. It’s a healthy habit that boosts balance and confidence.
16. Frisbee: Throwing a frisbee back and forth is easy for all ages. It builds coordination and is fun in both small yards and wide-open spaces.
17. Sprinkler Play: Running through sprinklers is a timeless way to laugh and stay cool. It doubles as active play and relief from hot summer days.
18. Hopscotch: Draw squares with chalk and hop through in sequence. This classic game helps kids practice balance and coordination while having fun.
19. Capture the Flag: Two teams hide their “flags” and try to grab the other’s. Parents like it because it encourages teamwork, strategy, and lots of running.
20. Kickball: A mix of soccer and baseball, kids kick the ball and run bases. It’s simple to set up in any yard or park and works for big groups.
21. Hula Hoop Contests: Kids spin hoops around their waists, arms, or legs. It’s silly, active, and great for building endurance and rhythm.
22. Nature Scavenger Hunts: Create a list of items like leaves, pinecones, or feathers to find. It turns outdoor efforts into a fun and educational game.
23. Tug of War: Two teams pull opposite ends of a rope until one crosses the line. It’s a group favorite that builds strength and teamwork.
24. Sack Races: Kids hop to the finish line inside sacks or pillowcases. Parents love it because it’s a simple setup that brings big laughs.

STEM & Learning Fun

STEM activities spark curiosity and make learning exciting. These projects teach science, math, and problem-solving through hands-on fun that kids can enjoy indoors or outside.

25. Baking Soda Volcano: Mix baking soda and vinegar to create a fizzy eruption. It’s a simple experiment that introduces kids to basic chemistry in a fun way.
26. Balloon Inflation Experiment: Use vinegar and baking soda in a bottle to inflate a balloon without blowing. Kids love the surprise, and it demonstrates cause and effect.
27. Math Bingo: Replace bingo numbers with sums or equations for kids to solve. It turns math practice into a playful, rewarding challenge.
28. Puzzle Challenges: Jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, or sudoku sharpen focus and patience. They’re perfect for quiet time while still building problem-solving skills.
29. Coding Games: Try beginner coding apps or printable coding cards. Kids learn logic and sequencing while creating patterns or solving tasks.
30. Riddles & Brain Teasers: Share silly or tricky riddles for kids to solve. It boosts critical thinking and language skills while sparking laughter.
31. Bug Hunts: Head outdoors with a magnifying glass to find and observe insects. This connects kids to nature and encourages scientific observation.
32. Gardening Projects: Plant seeds in pots or garden beds and watch them grow. Kids learn responsibility and biology while caring for living things.
33. Stargazing at Night: Lie on a blanket and spot constellations or planets. It makes astronomy feel magical while teaching kids about the night sky.
34. Measuring Shadows with Chalk: Mark an object’s shadow at different times of day to see it change. It’s a simple way to explain light, time, and the movement of the sun.
35. LEGO Marble Run: Build tracks and tunnels with LEGO bricks to race marbles. It mixes engineering, design, and fun experiments with gravity.
36. Paper Boat Races in Water: Fold paper boats and float them in a tub or stream. Kids can test designs and learn about buoyancy while racing.

Food & Kitchen Projects

Cooking projects give kids a chance to mix, measure, and taste their creations. These food ideas are playful, hands-on, and end with a snack or treat to enjoy together.

37. Baking Cookies: Let kids help stir dough, shape cookies, and add sprinkles or icing. It’s a simple way to teach cooking basics and patience with a tasty reward.
38. Smoothies: Blend fruits with yogurt or milk for colorful, healthy drinks. Kids can mix their favorite flavors and create fun combinations.
39. Mini Pizzas: Use bread or small dough bases and let kids top them with sauces, cheese, and toppings. It’s quick, personal, and fun for mealtime.
40. Cupcake Decorating: Bake or buy plain cupcakes and hand kids frosting and sprinkles. The decorating is the best part, and each child gets their own design.
41. Edible Playdough: Mix peanut butter, honey, and powdered milk into a soft dough. Kids mold shapes, then enjoy eating their creations safely.
42. Homemade Popsicles: Freeze juice, fruit, or yogurt in molds for cool summer snacks. Checking if they’re ready adds to the fun.
43. S’mores: Toast marshmallows safely over a fire pit or grill, then sandwich them with chocolate and crackers. A classic treat that feels like camping.
44. Backyard Picnic: Spread a blanket outside and enjoy homemade snacks together. It makes even a simple lunch feel special.
45. Fruit Kebabs: Skewer colorful fruit pieces like grapes, melon, and strawberries. They’re healthy, easy to make, and fun to eat.
46. DIY Sandwiches: Lay out bread, spreads, and toppings so kids can build their own. It encourages independence and creativity at the table.
47. Ice Cream Sundae Bar: Offer ice cream with toppings like sprinkles, fruit, and syrup. Kids love building their dream dessert.
48. Trail Mix Station: Provide bowls of nuts, cereal, dried fruit, or chocolate chips for kids to scoop and mix. It’s simple, customizable, and travel-friendly.

Imaginative & Pretend Play Adventures

Role-play brings stories to life and helps kids try out their creativity. These activities are easy to set up indoors or outdoors and give children hours of fun through make-believe.

49. Puppet Shows: Kids use sock or paper puppets to perform mini plays. It sparks creativity and builds storytelling skills while keeping them entertained.
50. Dress-up: Old clothes, costumes, or accessories turn kids into characters. Parents love how it encourages imagination and confidence.
51. Spy Missions: Create secret codes or clues for kids to solve like little detectives. It mixes problem-solving with pretend play for exciting adventures.
52. Pretend Restaurant or Store: Set up menus, counters, or toy groceries and let kids act as chefs or cashiers. It’s playful while teaching social and math skills.
53. Indoor Treasure Hunts: Hide small toys or clues around the house for kids to find. It adds mystery and movement to rainy days.
54. Pretend Camping: Use blankets, pillows, or a play tent to set up a campsite indoors. Kids enjoy role-play with flashlights, snacks, and stories.
55. Pirate Adventures: Give kids scarves as bandanas and a map to hunt for “treasure.” It’s silly fun that sparks storytelling and teamwork.
56. Outdoor Treasure Hunts: Hide trinkets or clues in the yard and let kids search. Parents like how it blends outdoor play with problem-solving.
57. Backyard Zoo with Stuffed Animals: Line up plush toys and let kids act as zookeepers or visitors. It’s a safe, creative way to try something different.
58. Superhero Role Play: Kids invent hero names and rescue missions while wearing capes or towels. It builds teamwork, bravery, and confidence.
59. Family Skit Performances: Work together to write and act out short plays. Parents enjoy the bonding while kids love being on stage.
60. DIY Storytime Theater: Kids act out favorite books with simple props. It strengthens reading comprehension while making stories more engaging.

Quiet Time & Big Family Projects

Not every activity has to be high-energy. These ideas give kids a chance to relax, focus, or work together on bigger projects that can last for hours or even days.

61. Coloring: Simple coloring books or sheets keep kids calm and creative. It’s an easy, low-mess way for quiet play.
62. Journaling: Encourage kids to write about their day or draw in a notebook. Parents love how it builds reflection and writing skills.
63. Glitter Jars: Fill jars with water, glitter, and glue to shake and watch them settle. They’re fun to make and work as calming tools.
64. Audiobooks: Play kid-friendly audiobooks during quiet time. It sparks imagination while giving eyes a break from screens.
65. Reading Nook Indoors: Create a cozy spot with pillows and blankets for reading. It makes books feel extra inviting and special.
66. Hammock Reading: Set up a hammock outside for relaxed reading. It combines fresh air with peaceful downtime.
67. Cloud-Watching: Lie on a blanket and spot shapes in the clouds. It’s free, calming, and encourages imagination.
68. LEGO City: Work together to build a full LEGO town with streets and buildings. Parents enjoy how it encourages teamwork and creativity.
69. Scrapbook Project: Collect photos, drawings, or ticket stubs and decorate pages. It’s a family keepsake that sparks creativity and memory-sharing.
70. Inventing a Board Game: Let kids design rules, boards, and pieces for a new game. It combines problem-solving, creativity, and family bonding.
71. Backyard Fort Building: Use blankets, sticks, or cardboard to build a hideout. It’s an outdoor project that fuels teamwork and imaginative play.
72. Giant Chalk Maze: Draw a large maze on the driveway or sidewalk. Kids can solve it themselves or challenge friends to race through.

Conclusion

Summer is the perfect time to try out new ways to play, learn, and connect as a family. With the right mix of activities, kids stay engaged, parents feel less pressure, and every day has something to look forward to.

These ideas work well for different ages, so siblings can join in together or find activities that match their own interests.

This list of fun summer activities for kids is designed to be flexible, so you can pick and choose based on time, mood, and energy. I’d love for you to try a few and see which ones become your family’s favorites.

Don’t forget to bookmark this guide or share it with other parents who could use a little extra inspiration.