HAVE YOU EVER RUN OUT OF IDEAS FOR SUMMER FUN? THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER WITH KIDS IS HERE TO HELP! THERE ARE MANY IDEAS HERE TO CHOOSE FROM TO KEEP YOU ALL RELAXED, ENTERTAINED, AND HAVING A GREAT SUMMER!
Things to do this summer with kids is an attempt to have a solution to the age-old complaints of “I’M BORED” that all kids, tweens, and teens are famous for! This year is pretty exciting comparing to last summer, for most families. Last summer we were all cooped up trying to avoid covid and avoid people! But this year, thankfully things are looking up and we are ready for some family fun! My kids are just beginning their summer vacation from school, and we are ready to get our summer fun started. And while you may have plans or traditions of your own, hopefully, this post will give you some ideas for activities.
HOME ACTIVITIES (CAN ALSO BE USED ON RAINY DAYS)
You may be at home during much of the summer. We plan to travel a little bit, but the bulk of my children’s time will be spent at home or with grandparents on days that I work. This calls for our home activities list of things to do. Now I do not really structure each day in the summer. We like to use this time to relax our schedules and stress level because normally the school year is so structured, and we are tied to that schedule. But with that said, we do have a list of summer activities to do at home.
- ART – This activity can include many things such as an online art class or painting with acrylics at home. Decorating teeshirts, painting a canvas, and finger paints are all good options.
- ROCK PAINTING – A fun activity involving paint, creativity, and entertainment for all ages coming up with new and artistic designs.
- POOL DAY – Do not have a pool? Neither do we. We find local pools or small water parks open to the public, but also have a pool day at home with the larger inflatable pools as well as the inflatable sprinklers (for my tall 14-year-old I just found an inexpensive sprinkler over 6 feet tall)
- COOK WITH THE KIDS – For example, let everyone design their own pizza and cook them. Or just let them help in the kitchen for dinner, or make lunch for the group.
- BOARD GAMES – This is something that our family does a lot and there is an unlimited selection of options for all ages. We have so many favorite board games and they are always good fun.
- LEGOS – Enough said! Legos are fun activities for all ages, including adults. Younger children will need help with this activity.
- WATER GUN DAY – Children and adults alike love water guns and especially trying to shoot their parents. Those large super soakers are fun for old and young alike.
DAY ACTIVITIES FOR SUMMER FUN
- BIKING – This is a great activity to get out and do together! And it is great exercise. Whether you find a bike trail at the park or just a good parking lot, biking is always fun.
- RIVER DAY AT THE LOCAL BEACHES – In our area, you can always find a local lake or river which is open to the public and makes a fun day out. Pack a cooler and do not forget the sunscreen.
- FIREWORKS – There are typically a few different fireworks activities in the summer, depending on the area. If we are in town, we normally check our county first. If they do not have fireworks, we will check a neighboring county. They also have fireworks at amusement parks in the summer.
- VISIT A FARM, ZOO, OR AQUARIUM – This is something that we like to do each year. Any of these make great summer activities. This summer we are heading to a local dairy farm that sells ice cream to lots of local places.
- PLAYDATES/FUN WITH FRIENDS – All ages of children enjoy visiting with friends. Reach out to your child’s friends (or parents of the friend) and set something up! It is great to keep the children connected to others during the summer and you can do a fun activity with good company.
- KAYAK OR WATER TUBING – This is one for the older kids. A fantastic activity to get them outside and enjoying the outdoors. Also relaxing and fun. Be careful to make sure that they understand water safety with this one.
- LOCAL PARKS – Most counties, and neighboring counties, have local parks with playgrounds, trails, and other activities to explore. When you go, do not forget to scatter the painted rocks that you made at home for others to find.
- PLAY PICKLEBALL – Pickleball is a great activity to do for an hour or two. In the last few years, this activity has been gaining in popularity and the kids love it.
- AMUSEMENT PARK OR WATER PARK – This is always a big hit with the kids to have a day of summer fun. And in most states, you can find local amusement or water parks, or both.
- GO TO THE DRIVE-IN MOVIES – In my state, we are so very fortunate to have a drive-in theater. It is a bit of a drive but so worth it for a night of fun. If you have an opportunity, definitely do this! The kids love it, and it is more economical than the regular movies as you can see two movies for one ticket price.
- ESCAPE ROOMS – Want an inside activity on very hot days? This is a great idea and better yet, invite some friends. This is a trendy thing to do right now so you should be able to find a local escape room.
Do you want to travel for a few days? Here is a video with the 10 best family vacation spots in the United States to roam around for summer fun with your family!
OVERNIGHT ACTITIES
- CAMPING/GLAMPING – This is a great family activity where you can even include extended family and make memories. There are many variations of camping in a tent, all the way to glamping, and all are so much fun and great learning experiences for the kids while they connect with nature.
- GO TO A BEACH – Whether it be for a day, week, or a few nights…going to see the ocean is amazing. No matter how many times, seeing & playing in the ocean is a summer must. Before you go though, be sure to educate your children on ocean safety and rip currents.
- EXPLORE YOUR LOCAL AREAS – A fun summer weekend does not have to be far from home. Explore nearby towns and find some local treasures! Shops, sights, and activities galore can be closer than you think.
- VISIT NATIONAL PARKS – the United States is home to a fantastic collection of national parks, where no two are alike. They are all filled with picnic areas, trails, recreational sections, camping options, and many more amenities.
- GO TO A FESTIVAL OR FAIR – This is a tradition for our family! Whether it be a local or state fair, we always try and fit one in. Fun rides, delicious food, petting zoos, and so many other things to see. A staple of summer fun!
- OVERNIGHT TRIP TO SOMEWHERE IN YOUR STATE – This is a wonderful way to get away from it all in just a short time. Find a bed & breakfast, an interesting attraction, and pack a bag and go exploring. A great way to spend a weekend.
If you didn’t find a location that you like for a summer getaway in the above video, Parents.com has a great article with even more destination ideas.
https://www.parents.com/fun/activities/affordable-fun/affordable-weekend-trips-for-parents/
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
- MAKE CRAZY SHAKES – This activity is so much fun for the kids. Gather different varieties of cookies or candy, make homemade milkshakes, and decorate them with all the fun things! Whipped cream, candy, sprinkles…the crazier the better! Everyone will be different, and the making process is as much fun as consuming it!
- HAVE A COOKOUT – Invite over some family and friends, and spend some time just hanging out! Catch up, play some yard games, and enjoy being together!
- VISIT RELATIVES – Don’t want to have company, no problem! Pack up the family and spend some time catching up with friends and relatives that you have not seen in a while. They will appreciate it and so will you.
- BASEBALL GAME – This is a fun afternoon or night out as a family. The baseball, hot dogs, and cheering a team are a great day or evening out.
- OUTDOOR FAMILY GAME NIGHT – This is a family favorite! Let the kids go against the parents and have a family gamily night! Cornhole, badminton, yard hockey, or ladderball. To make it really fun, make it a challenge and give a little prize to the winner and kids and kick up the competition.
- TAKE THE GRANDPARENTS TO LUNCH– Taking time to go and pick up the grandparents and take them out to lunch can mean more than you know. The time spent with them will be priceless.
- MOVIE NIGHT AT HOME– Movie night at home is a staple for family fun things to do! Pop some popcorn, stream a movie, and there you have a great night in.
- HAVE A PICNIC – A park picnic is a fun twist on family lunch or dinner. Pack your food and head out to your favorite picnic spot. Do not feel like going out? No problem!
EMERGENCY “I’M BORED” ACTIVITIES FOR SUMMER
- LEARN SOMETHING NEW WITH AN ONLINE OR IN PERSON CLASS – There are so many platforms for this, with fun twists (for example learning through Minecraft) and I think that continuing to learn new things in life is essential! Find a fun class or something your children are interested in, and go from there!
- BAKE SOMETHING – One of my boys’ favorite rainy-day activities is to bake cookies or brownies. Both take little time, and the cookie recipe is right on the back of the package. They love measuring and mixing (good math practice) and especially eating their creation.
- MAKE SOMETHING – Another fun activity for all ages is to create something. Whether it be practicing carpentry skills with wood scraps, creating music, or art, there are unlimited things that can be created.
- FAMILY ELECTRONIC GAMES – Not at all promoting electronics here but there are some fun games such as Township that we play as a family on the Ipads. Also, some of the gaming consoles have family-type games. For example, Nintendo Switch has the Game of Life which is a hit with my kids. We also like to work on our moves with Just Dance which comes on many consoles.
- PLAY OUTSIDE – I send my kids out quite a bit to play on the trampoline and climb in the treehouse. If you do not have those things, no problem! Use whatever you have as long as it is outside. Kids can ride scooters, play badminton, kick a soccer ball, or throw a football, pick flowers, or make mudpies, watch birds, and whatever else. The key is…OUTSIDE!
NOW, YOU ARE ALL SET UP FOR SUMMER FAMILY FUN!
I hope that this list gives you a resource to be used again and again over the summer. Whether you have long days at home or are looking for a day trip or to travel on a vacation, there are so many things that you can do to enrich your summer and spend quality time as a family. Summers only come around once a year, and they are a special time to make lasting family memories. And one last tip for you…as you proceed with summer travels, do not forget to play travel bingo! There are physical or digital versions of this, and it helps pass the driving time and brings some good laughs. Have a good summer and may your family make some fantastic memories!
FINDING THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER WITH KIDS IS A FOOLPROOF LIST TO PROVIDE YOU WITH AMAZING IDEAS FOR TO KEEP YOUR KIDS BUSY AND TO HAVE SOME AMAZING FAMILY FUN!
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS POST, SEE BELOW SOME OTHERS THAT YOU MIGHT LIKE!
Making Memories with a FAMILY GAME NIGHT!
INDEPENDENT KIDS-How to encourage it!
Wandering – Four ideas to try now!
Family Traditions – Bridging the Past with the Future
How to energize your day – 5 ways!
Local Adventures – things to do for fun during COVID!
Movie Night with Family – Why you should plan one!
Dee | Grammy's Grid says
Lots of great ideas for summer fun! Thanks so much for linking up with me at the Unlimited Link Party 28. Pinned!
Juli says
Fun ideas! Would love some free or cheap ideas too for those of us on a summer budget!
cbrooks0312@comcast.net says
That is a good point for cheap ideas 🙂 I have it on my agenda to make a post just for that.
Niraj says
I used to dread the words “I’m bored!”, when my kids were younger. Even today. Board games, movie night, cooking together and playing electronic games have been our go-to during the pandemic.
Your article is very informative and detailed. Will help me. Thanks!
cbrooks0312@comcast.net says
Thank you for checking it out! I love to have “go to” ideas for those times good old fashion family fun helps to ward off the boredom!
Dee | Grammy's Grid says
CONGRATS! Your post is FEATURED at my Unlimited Link Party 29!
cbrooks0312@comcast.net says
That is amazing! Thank you so much! Can’t wait to see what I find in there this month 🙂
Adriane says
Such a fun list! We are always looking for things to do.