25 Best Summer Activities for Kids to Have A Blast (2024)

  • 1. Backyard Camping
  • 2. Backyard Stargazing
  • 3. Backyard Bird Watching
  • 4. Backyard Obstacle Course
  • 5. Backyard Bicycle Track
  • 6. Splash Color Balloons
  • 7. Paint Windows
  • 8. Print with Pebbles
  • 9. Learn to Cook
  • 10. Make Clay Objects

Summers are around the corner. That means your kids are out of school and ready to turn your house upside down.

So, before kids get settled into a lazy summer routine, you should chalk out some fun summer activities to keep them busy. Summer holidays are the perfect time to teach new skills, develop hobbies among kids, or create some precious family moments.

Below we have listed down 25 engaging and fun summer activities for kids to have a blast this holiday season. So, let’s plan summer activities for your little rockstars.

Backyard Summer Activities for Kids

25 Best Summer Activities for Kids to Have A Blast (1)

Due to the pandemic, traveling or going out with kids isn’t a feasible option in many parts of the world. Therefore, you can use your backyard to plan exciting outdoor summer activities for your kids. For instance:

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25 Best Summer Activities for Kids to Have A Blast (2)

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1. Backyard Camping

Take out your portable tents, dig a small fire pit in your backyard, and you are all set to spend summer in your backyard. Your kids can roast marshmallows and dance around a fire pit every night instead of being coped in their rooms with gadgets.

Related Reading: Most Effective and Exciting Outdoor Activities for 3 Year Olds

2. Backyard Stargazing

If putting a tent and fire pit in your backyard is not possible, you can lay down a bed sheet and watch stars in the clear summer sky. You can even buy those fancy telescopes and use the summer holiday as an opportunity to introduce astronomy to your kids.

3. Backyard Bird Watching

You can put a bird feeder and water pitcher in your backyard to attract some migratory birds this summer. Using old cardboard boxes and paint, you can also build a DIY bird feeder with your kids. Your kids can watch rare bird species in your backyard and develop empathy towards these little creatures.

4. Backyard Obstacle Course

You can build an obstacle course in your backyard that your kids and their friends can use to play and stay active all summer. Using jumping ropes, old tires, stones, and hoses, you can build a miniature version of a military-level obstacle course in your backyard. It is a bit of work on your part, but once it is done, your kids will not leave the backyard for the whole summer – that’s a guarantee.

5. Backyard Bicycle Track

Riding bikes on the street is never a safe option for kids, even under supervision. Thus, create a bicycle track there if your background has sufficient space. This will keep your kid busy and you stress-free all summer.

Art Summer Activities for Kids

25 Best Summer Activities for Kids to Have A Blast (3)

Art is the best way to stimulate creativity, develop coordination between hands, and improve cognitive skills among skills. So, do include these art activities in your child’s summer curriculum:

6. Splash Color Balloons

This is a messy but enjoyable art activity that your whole family can enjoy together. Grab some water balloons and cheap white t-shirts from your local store. Then, put colorful water in balloons, wear those new white t-shirts and splash color balloons on one another to create DIY dyed t-shirts at home.

7. Paint Windows

If your kids are big enough to handle emulsion paint, use the summer holidays to upscale your home. You can paint your old faded house windows with your kids. Also, let kids paint colorful flowers, patterns, and cartoon characters on windows.

8. Print with Pebbles

Take your kids out for an evening stroll to enjoy the fresh air and collect different shapes of pebbles present on the street. Once they have a decent pebbles collection, let them dip them in paint and use them to create a colorful abstract painting.

9. Learn to Cook

Summers are the perfect time to pass on your family recipes to your kids. You can appoint your kid as your assistant chef and let them help you in the kitchen for the whole summer holidays. This activity can help to develop culinary skills among your kids.

10. Make Clay Objects

You can get a small clay oven for your kids and let them create different clay objects all summer in your garage. If possible, enroll your kid into clay making online class so they can sculpt some excellent home decor items for you.

Related Reading: 

Pool Summer Activities for Kids

25 Best Summer Activities for Kids to Have A Blast (4)

There is no better way to spend the summer holidays than longing all day in the pool. Your kids can play water sports, learn swimming and try several other pool activities this summer season, such as:

11. Guess the Word

This is a fabulous pool game to help your kids learn deep diving. Gather around all your neighborhood kids in your backyard pool. Select a messenger and guesser among the group. Ask the messenger to shout a word underwater, and the guesser has to guess that word.

12. Pool Obstacle Course

This is a pool version of an obstacle course. Your entire family can enjoy this pool activity together. You can create a difficult or simple obstacle course in the pool based on your kids’ age. To create an obstacle course, use waste pool floats, pool noodles, hula hoops, etc.

13. Synchronized Swimming Routine

You can set a synchronized swimming routine for your kids and let them practice all summer. Before the summer holidays end, you can host a pool party and allow your kids perform for all the guests.

14. Diving Toys

You can order some diving toys for your toddler and put a shallow kid’s pool in your backyard. After that, you won’t hear a peep from your kid the whole summer.

15. Summer Pool Olympics

If you have a decent-sized pool at your home or in society, use it to host pool Olympics. You can invite over your kid’s friends and organize a series of pool games for them, including relay races, water volleyball, and more. You can maintain a scoreboard and even order medals to make your pool Olympics more natural and fun.

Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids

25 Best Summer Activities for Kids to Have A Blast (5)

Since your kids have been cooped inside the home for a year and a half now; so, you can plan some outdoor summer activities to reintroduce them to nature. However, avoid taking your kids to crowded places as the COVID-19 is still a significant threat. You can take your kids to:

16. Explore Local Festivals

Summer is loaded with fests where you can enjoy good food and fun rides with your kids. So, go online and search for intimate local festivals that are being held in your city to take your kids and have some fun.

17. Go to Nursery

Do you want to develop a gardening hobby among your kids? Then, take them to a local nursery in your area and show them different types of flowers. You can also ask them to pick a few flowers to put in your home garden. Also, look if any flower festivals are going around in your city to take your kids.

18. Visit an Orphanage/Old Age Home

You can use the summer holidays to encourage your kids to do some volunteer work. Take your kids to a nursing home or orphanage to allow them to help other people and show empathy in a better manner.

19. Go on a Picnic

To celebrate a bright sunny day with your family, pack a picnic basket and visit your local park. You can enjoy good food, outdoor games, and laughter with your kids while basking in the fresh sun rays.

20. Lemonade Stall

Do you support any charity? If yes, motivate your kids to be part of your charitable organization by raising some funds. You can set up a fresh and sweet lemonade stall in your society to teach some entrepreneurial skills to your kids.

Related Reading: Kindness Activities for Kids to Develop Positive Values

Miscellaneous Summer Activities for Kids

25 Best Summer Activities for Kids to Have A Blast (6)

Summer is a fun time. You have many opportunities to make summer entertaining and educational for your kids, such as:

21. Paint Sidewalks

If your neighbors are alright with it, you can use foam paint to decorate boring concrete sidewalks with your kids. You can also invite your neighborhood kids to turn over the appearance of all your neighborhood sidewalks entirely.

22. Paint Rocks

You can take your kids to a local park in your area to collect a few rocks. And, later on, put an art station in your living room for them to paint rocks into different characters and animals like a ladybug, Scooby-Doo, etc.

23. Scavenger Hunt

Who doesn’t love scavenger hunts? So, you can host an indoor or outdoor scavenger hunt for your kids and their friends this summer. For your scavenger hunt, you can choose a unique theme to make kids more exciting, like the detective theme, animal theme, etc.

24. Games Night

Summer break is the perfect time to host a family game night, even in the midst of the week. Since there is no pressure to wake up early in the morning during the summer holidays, you can organize frequent game nights. You can even invite your friends and their kids to make game nights more fun.

25. Open Movie Theater

You can order a portable projector and play your kid’s favorite movies on a big screen in your backyard. This can be a great summer memory that you can always relish, even when your kids get too big to spend some with you.

Just Make Summer Fun

No matter how old you get, you will never forget how much fun you used to have during your summer break. Those long evening strolls, playing around the house, ice cream eating contests, and staying awake all night. These are some summer activities that no person can ever forget.

So, you can plan all educational and sports summer activities for your kids, but don’t forget to make them fun because fun is what your kids will remember their whole life.

we are bringing you more online educational resources and printable worksheets for your kids that will help with their learning experience and make them smarter.

Related Reading: Playful Activities for 1-Year-Old Toddlers to Learn and Have Fun

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are summer activities important for kids?

Summer activities are essential for kids because they have free time to learn skills and make new memories with their families. A whole year kids are so busy with school work and extracurricular activities that they don’t get time to do something fun and entertaining. Therefore, summer activities are important for character development and learning new things in a carefree environment.

How do you plan summer activities?

The best way to plan summer activities for your kids is by involving them in the process. You should ask your kids what they want to do during summer? And, based on their suggestions, you can plan summer activities for them.

What are typical summer activities for kids?

Some typical summer activities for kids are swimming, reading, bicycle riding, picnic, amusem*nt park, and many more.

25 Best Summer Activities for Kids to Have A Blast (2024)

FAQs

How do I keep my 12 year old busy in the summer? ›

10-12 year old summer activities ideas
  1. Go to camp (instead of just sitting at home) ...
  2. Take a class (not just watch a show) ...
  3. Design something (instead of just doodling) ...
  4. Create an online brand (not just operate a lemonade stand) ...
  5. Sell clothes online or donate them (not just playing dress up)
May 7, 2023

How can I keep my 7 year old busy in the summer? ›

50 Ways to Keep Your Kids Entertained this Summer
  1. Pick your own... whatever. ...
  2. Camp out. First-timers, try backyard camping.
  3. Camp in. Put the sleeping bags on the floor and have a family slumber party.
  4. Rearrange the furniture. ...
  5. Invite friends over for a game day. ...
  6. Make your own pizza. ...
  7. Talk to the animals. ...
  8. Get wet.
Jul 31, 2013

How do I entertain my kids all summer? ›

73 Backyard Activities (One for each day of summer break!)
  1. Bubbles.
  2. Jump rope.
  3. Cut the grass.
  4. Pull weeds.
  5. Water the flowers.
  6. Plant a garden/flowers.
  7. Fishing. If you don't have a real fishing rod and a place to fish check out this DIY game.
  8. Camping in the backyard.
Jun 21, 2023

What is the most popular activity in summer? ›

Here are some popular summer activities and traditions that people enjoy:
  • Going to the beach or swimming in a pool.
  • Having a backyard barbecue or picnic with friends and family.
  • Going on a road trip or vacation to a new destination.
  • Camping or hiking in nature.
  • Attending outdoor concerts, festivals, or fairs.
Mar 8, 2023

How do I keep my 13 year old busy this summer? ›

DIY summer jobs

A regular babysitting, dog walking, or lawn mowing gig can earn your tween or teen both money and job skills. If your child has mastered a special skill or knowledge-base — be it Spanish or math or drawing — he can teach classes or be a tutor.

What should a 14 year old do during summer? ›

Things a Teenager Can Do Alone
  • Apply for a summer job.
  • Read a book in the sun.
  • Learn a few words or phrases in a foreign language.
  • Get a high score on your favorite game.
  • Buy a load of old magazines from a bookstore or charity shop and read them.
  • Take some interesting photographs of your neighborhood.
  • Fly a kite.
Jul 19, 2019

How do I keep my 14 year old busy this summer? ›

Consider these summer activities for teens:
  1. Volunteer. Summertime is a great time to encourage your teen to give back to the community. ...
  2. Get Active. Wondering how to keep a teenager busy during the summer? ...
  3. Learn a New Skill. ...
  4. Get a Job. ...
  5. Keep Their Brains Engaged. ...
  6. Summer Camp.
Jan 24, 2020

What time should a 7 year old go to bed in the summer? ›

What time should a 7-year-old go to bed? According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), a seven-year-old needs 9 to 11 hours of sleep every night. If your child needs to be awake for school at, say, 6:30 am, the reasonable hour for bedtime can be between 7:15 pm latest, 7:45 pm.

How do you deal with boring summer? ›

Boredom Busters
  1. Swim, play tag, toss a ball, dance or jump rope.
  2. Go on a bike ride, walk the dog, go to the park or go on a jog.
  3. Make your celebrations active by going on a hike, playing Frisbee or organizing a volleyball or soccer game.

How can I make summer more fun? ›

24 Fun Activities to Add to Your Bucket List for Summer
  1. Make Ice Pops. There's nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than a delicious frozen treat. ...
  2. See a Drive-In Movie. Drive-in movie theaters are seeing a resurgence. ...
  3. Watch Fireworks. ...
  4. Learn to Sew. ...
  5. Read a Book. ...
  6. Go on a Hike. ...
  7. Grill Out. ...
  8. Help a Charity.
Sep 3, 2022

How can I fully enjoy summer? ›

20 Ways to Have an Unforgettable Summer
  1. Learn something completely new. ...
  2. Make new friends. ...
  3. Go somewhere you've never been before. ...
  4. Have incredible experiences. ...
  5. Spend each day differently. ...
  6. Challenge yourself. ...
  7. Sign up to something great. ...
  8. Keep a record of your adventures.

Do kids need to be entertained all day? ›

As parents, we often feel responsible for keeping our kids entertained all the time. This is natural, but it's actually good for your child to feel bored sometimes, and to figure out how to entertain themselves!

What is the most popular activity? ›

Most popular hobbies & activities in the U.S. as of December 2023
CharacteristicShare of respondents
Traveling29%
Socializing27%
DIY and arts & crafts26%
Board games / card games24%
9 more rows
Mar 5, 2024

What is the most popular summer activity in the United States? ›

Key Findings. Fifty-five percent overall indicated that having a picnic/barbeque was a favorite activity. 49 percent overall indicated that going for a walk/hike was a favorite. 40 percent overall indicated that going to the beach was a favorite.

Where can I go on a hot day? ›

UK heatwave: 14 things to do in London when it's hot
  • Granary Square, King's Cross. ...
  • Hampstead Heath Ponds, Hampstead. ...
  • Middle Dock, Canary Wharf. ...
  • Highgate Wood, Highgate. ...
  • Ice-skating at Alexandra Palace, Wood Green.
  • Fulham Beach Club, Fulham. ...
  • Ruislip Beach and Lido, Ruislip. ...
  • West Reservoir Centre, Hackney.
Jun 9, 2023

What are 12 and 13 year olds interested in? ›

Young teens begin leaning into their peer groups and connecting over the things they enjoy, like hobbies or sports. Interests vary widely among 13-year-olds, from sports and outdoor games to arts, crafting, baking, and everything in between.

How do you cure boredom in the summer? ›

Boredom Busters
  1. Swim, play tag, toss a ball, dance or jump rope.
  2. Go on a bike ride, walk the dog, go to the park or go on a jog.
  3. Make your celebrations active by going on a hike, playing Frisbee or organizing a volleyball or soccer game.

What do 13 year olds do in the summer? ›

54 Summer Activities for Teens ('Cause They Need Something to Care About)
  • Introduce Them to Pickleball, KanJam or PaddleSmash. No, we're not talking signing up for a team or lessons. ...
  • Play Chess. ...
  • School Them in a Classic Video Game. ...
  • Go for a Hike. ...
  • Play Cards. ...
  • Journal. ...
  • Visit a Museum. ...
  • Walk Through the Botanical Garden.
Jun 16, 2023

How do I motivate my 12 year old to be lazy? ›

Motivating the Unmotivated Child
  1. Lack of Motivation is a Form of Resistance. ...
  2. All Kids are Motivated by Something. ...
  3. Kids Resist Because They Lack Problem-Solving Skills. ...
  4. Don't Argue or Fight With Your Child About Motivation. ...
  5. Be Clear, Calm, and Give Consequences for Your Child's Behavior. ...
  6. Give Effective Consequences.

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