Easy and Fun Summer Activities for Kids

Looking for summer activities for kids that won’t cost an arm and a leg? This article is full of fun activity ideas that will add some variety to the long summer days.

When I think of the summer months, I’m so excited to spend more time with my kids, get outside, and enjoy family adventures.

And if I’m being totally honest here…I also start to panic!

Now that my sons are older, they aren’t napping, and they want to climb all the things. They’re pretty good at playing independently, but they’re still young enough that I need to keep a close eye on what they’re up to.

For me, it’s really tough to come up with activity ideas in the spur of the moment. So, here’s some things I’ve been doing to get organized for the summer that might help you too:

• Make a summer calendar of events. Anytime you hear about something free or cheap going on in your area, write it down on your calendar. You don’t have to go to any of the activities if you don’t want to, but it’s nice to have a consolidated calendar of events that you thought would be good for your kids.
• Have a list of go-to summer activities. It can be things like going to the library, checking out a new park across town, use free passes for a local museum, going to the farmer’s market, etc.  When you’re stumped for ideas, you can check your list!
• Have the kids help you create their own list of activity ideas they can do at home. Some ideas would be…playing in the sandbox, playing with sidewalk chalk, blowing bubbles, reading stories, playing with blocks, riding bikes, etc.
• Start the day with some basic chores. This summer our boys have 2-3 things they need to do each morning before they can go outside.
• Save screen time for later in the day. This isn’t for everyone, but it works for me.  I try to save screen time for while I’m getting ready for dinner. We eat dinner fairly early, and it’s often tough to get my kids to come inside while I’m cooking supper. Watching a kids show is a special treat for the kids, it helps them wind down, and it gives me time to work in the kitchen.

20 Easy and Fun Summer Activities for Kids

My kids love to do science experiments, projects, and crafts. I’m decidedly un-crafty, so this summer I put together a list of activity ideas for us to do at home. I’m sure we won’t do one every single day, but I love that I have a pre-selected list of fun things to do that I can pull from as needed. Here’s my list:

1. Beach Density Jar Summer Science from lemonlimeadventures.com
2. Paper Plate Tropical Fish Craft from craftsbyamanda.com
3. Rainbow Soap Foam from thechaosandtheclutter.com
4. Simple Color Scavenger Hunt For Kids from iheartcraftythings.com
5. Deep Blue Sea Water Play Bin from happyhooligans.ca
6. Washi Tape Summer Boredom Buster Jars from whilehewasnapping.com
7. Ocean Sensory Play & Matching Game from alittlepinchofperfect.com
8. DIY Sidewalk Foam Paint from thetiptoefairy.com
9. Kids Summer Activities Jar from thebensonstreet.com
10. How To Make Bubble Snakes from onelittleproject.com
11. Backyard Nature Fairy Wand Craft from whereimaginationgrows.com
12. DIY Washable Spray Paint For Kids from mothersniche.com
13. Summer Lego Ice Cube Sensory Play from craftykidsathome.com
14. Bubble Blower Painting from childhood101.com
15. Scented Ice Sensory Play from handsonaswegrow.com
16. Painting With Water Guns from theseasonedmom.com
17. Ice Paints Activity from momendeavors.com
18. Easy DIY Fidget Spinner from redtedart.com
19. Balloon Rocket from momvstheboys.com
20. Thrill Your Kids With Squirt Gun Painting from firefliesandmudpies.com

Keeping Mom Happy

Without the routine of the school year, summer can actually be an isolating time for moms. Last summer I had to make a real effort to make sure I was talking to other grown-ups on a regular basis! I tried to plan a few playdates each week. My kids are still young enough for moms to come along on playdates, so it was a win for everyone!

This summer I’m also joining the Busy Mom’s Club. I’m so excited about it, because it will give me a way to interact with other mamas without having to find a sitter.

My sweet friend Jenn built the Busy Mom’s Club to give moms like us a community where we can talk with other moms, and also have fun!

Jenn is starting a FREE Busy Mom’s Challenge on June 12, and I can’t wait to start it! Here’s some more info:

What is The Busy Mom Challenge?

It is an 8-day completely free mini course that is going to help you organize 8 different areas of your life that is being host by my friend Jenn from Home by Jenn.

Here’s what you can expect:

Each morning starting on June 12th, you will be emailed a video and inside that video will be that day’s task for you to complete.  The video will include the exact steps you need to take to complete that day’s challenge.

Each afternoon Jenn will be host and live Q&A inside the Busy Mom Facebook Community where you can have your questions answered live.  

If you can’t make the live Q&A no problem, there will be an area where you can ask your questions and have them answered during the live broadcast.  The recording will be available to you inside the group for as long as you need.

The great news is, you don’t have to do this alone!  By joining now, you’ll be doing this challenge with hundreds of other busy moms just like you!  Plus you’ll have the support from Jenn.

All you need to do is click this link here and you’ll be in!  Once you click this link, you’ll be redirected to another page with some more info about this challenge.

I can’t wait to see you in the challenge!