Here are 30 fun summer ideas for kids at home – when your kids are begging for something to do and screens are not an option!
30 Fun Summer Ideas For Kids At Home
1. Make Popsicles
What kid doesn’t like popsicles on a hot summer day?
Grab your favorite smoothie or fruit juice and ice pop molds and make your own homemade popsicles this summer.
2. Homemade Snowcone
Making homemade snowcones has never been easier with only three ingredients!
Crush some ice using your food processor, a snowcone maker, or even your fridge dispenser.
Pour into your snowcone cup and add your favorite syrup or fruit juice over the ice.
Stick a straw in and enjoy!
3. Summer This or That
Playing this or that can be so much fun for the entire family while getting your kiddos to share their opinions this summer.
You can search Pinterest for a list of summer this or that questions or grab this packet from my TpT storefront.
4. Learn A New Language
If you child has ever asked you to learn a new language or showed interest in another language. You can definitely foster this interest over the summer with apps such as Duolingo, Gus on The Go, and Lingokids. I know this one is not quite screen free – but?
5. Rock Painting
Go on a nature walk and hunt for rocks. Once you have enough rocks, wash them nd let them air dry. Using acrylic paints, have your kids paint inspirational words or designs on them and decorate your walkway or leave them on the sidewalk the next time you go on a nature walk for someone to find.
It’s a special way to spread joy in your community.
Pro Tip: You can mix two colors of paint with Elmer’s glue and pour it on your rocks for a beautiful spiral look.
If rocks are difficult to find, you can always consider purchasing this rock set on Amazon.
6. Plan a BBQ Dinner
Use this summer to teach your kiddos how to grow into responsible and well-organized adults by allowing them to plan a BBQ dinner for the family.
Of course, you will need to assist them ( depending on age), but allow them to take the lead while you lend support when needed.
7. Local Farmer’s Market Visit
Instead of purchasing your fruits and vegetables from your local supermarket, why not take a trip to your local farmer’s market this summer? It’s a beautiful way to support your local farmers, while eating healthy wholesome foods.
8. Stem experiments
Let this summer be a time to soft learn while having fun with science.
You can search Pinterest and YouTube for fun at-home science experiments. Or, you can consider signing up to Mel Science. Your kids will absolutely love their science boxes. It’s not only fun but also so educational, fostering a love for science in your kids.
9. Slip and slide
When your kids are whining that they are bored and have nothing to do, this slip-and-slide mat will be a lifesaver! We had one of these a few years ago, and let me be the first to tell you – the kids had soooo much fun on it. We particularly used it all summer!
The best part is your kids will be getting so much exercise with all of the running, jumping, and slipping they will be doing.
10. Water Balloon Fights
Water balloons and a slip-and-slide can be so much fun when paired together! So why not?!
11. Gardening
Add a little agriculture science to your summer schedule with this paint and plant set.
First, your kiddos will paint the pots and then plant flowers into the pot and witness it grow all summer long!
If your little ones need to go to a summer birthday party. This sure makes a great gift.
12. Have a Tie-dye Party
This is one activity my kids have been asking me to do for some time now, and we have not yet gotten to it.
As we continue to learn this summer, we will be testing this kit out as we tie-dye a few T-shirts that we can wear over the summer.
13. Marbling Paint Art
This is another kit that you can have stacked away for when your kiddos start whining they are bored or on days when everyone is stuck inside.
It’s not only fun, but it allows your kids to tap into their creativity, and it’s so calming!
14. Summer Pictionary and I spy activities
These printable activities are excellent for hot summer days when your kids are indoors and want to relax with some fun, engaging activities.
Activities included are :
I Spy,
Emoji Pictionary,
Summer This or That,
Emoji Pictionary Flashcards
These worksheets can be used for the following:
You can also laminate the Pictionary cards before cutting them for longer lasting.
These Pictionary cards and I Spy worksheets are great for road trips as well.
We used these exact worksheets on our last road trip, and my kids Sophia and Ray had a ball.
15. Summer Writing
Boost your kids’ confidence when it comes to writing by giving them the support and extra help that they may need to build fluency in their writing. So come September, their hearts won’t skip a beat every time they need to write a narrative or opinion piece for their assignments.
I shared 70 fun and engaging opinion writing prompts on the blog earlier this week that you can snag, or you can check these two packets in my TpT shop.
- Summer narrative, opinion, and free writing prompts for 2nd and 3rd grade students
- Summer opinion writing prompts for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students
16. Summer Coloring Pages
I shared a set of 15+ free summer coloring pages recently on the blog and ways you can make coloring fun for your kiddos over the summer.
If you haven’t yet done so, please feel free to snag those free summer-themed coloring pages now.
17. Make S’mores
Why not gather around a campfire and create memories with this delicious summer (maybe year-round) treat?
Making s’mores around a campfire can be so much fun, not only for your kids but for the entire family!
And hey, if you don’t have access to a campfire, guess what?
You can still enjoy this ridiculously delicious treat!
Yup, pop that graham cracker, piece of chocolate, and marshmallow in the microwave for about 20 seconds. The timing really depends on how gooey your kids like their s’mores.
18. Game Nights
You can create a schedule where each child gets to plan a game night.
That kid is responsible for choosing the game, and deciding on what snacks should be on the table or charcuterie board.
19. Make Lemonade Together
Often times it’s the smallest things we do together as a family that have the biggest impact on each of us. (To be honest, it took me sometime to recognize it – but I’m sure happy I did sooner than later. )
Rather than you doing all the work.
Gather your kids in the kitchen and give them each a task. Maybe one can count the lemons (math) another can pop them in the microwave to heat. (Heating the lemons help with the extraction of the juice.)
Another (depending on age) can cut the lemons, and everyone can contribute to squeezing the lemons.
Making lemonade together can be considered part of your home economics unit. bonus for you, mama!
20. Reading
At the beginning of summer, have your kids create a reading bucket list.
You can consider downloading my reading bucket list. And set a goal to read all the books on their reading summer bucket list.
Pro tip: Visit your local library weekly or bi-weekly to rent the books on your bucket list.
Printable Reading Trackers + Planner (476 downloads )
21. Have A Backyard Picnic
On a nice breezy summer day, make sandwiches, cut some fruits up, spread a blanket, and spend the day on your lawn enjoying a nice picnic with your kids.
22. Walk Barefoot On The Grass
Walking barefoot on the grass is such a nice way to connect with nature. Teaching your kids to enjoy and express gratitude for the simplest things in life.
23. Make A Fairy Garden
Creating a fairy garden can be quite a magical experience for younger kids.
Visit your nearby dollar store, and grab a flower pot, some moss, and decoration items such as mushrooms, flowers, and gnomes. Basically, anything that your kids want to add to their fairy garden.
Again – Pinterest is a great place for inspiration for DIY crafts.
24. Puzzle Race
Grab a few 100 pieces of puzzles, set a timer, and see who finishes first. This is a great way to challenge your kids this summer.
25. Summer Journaling
Summer journaling is a great way to continue fostering your kid’s writing and articulation fluency. If summer journaling seems too far fetch for them. Maybe consider helping them create a summer scrapbook.
26. What’s In The Box?
Grab an old box, and cut a hole in the middle (big enough so that your kids can put their hands inside. Then place an item inside the box ( it can be food, a toy, or items from around your house), blindfold your child, and let them feel the item and figure out what the item is.
27. Build Forts
Forget about having a messy home and allow your kids to put chairs, stands, etc., in the family room and build forts and camp out there for the day.
28. Catch Fireflies
Have fun catching fireflies this summer, then watch them flicker.
29. Stargaze
Sit on your deck or porch and watch the stars. See if you can spot the ones that twinkle the most.
30. Interview Family Members
There’s always something to learn about each other. And one way we can learn about each other this summer is through interviewing each other.
You can have a list of specific questions or have each child create their own questions.
Questions such as :
- what’s your favorite food?
- What’s your favorite drink?
- If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
- Name your dream car.
- What do want to be when you grow up?
- Name a vegetable you can eat every day.
- What’s a vegetable you dislike?
- If you could have superpowers for a day, what would it be and why?
Cost Effective Summer Ideas For Kids At Home
Summer is the perfect time for your kids to explore, learn, and have fun – and it doesn’t have to be expensive!
With a little creativity, you can fill their days with exciting activities like backyard camping, DIY crafts, water play, and free community events. Whether your kids are learning a new language, exploring nature, learning science, building their writing skills, or simply enjoying quality family time, these budget-friendly ideas will ensure they have a summer filled with adventure and joy.
The best part?
The memories made during these simple yet meaningful activities will last a lifetime.
So, my friend, embrace the sunshine, get creative, and make this summer one your kids (and you) will always remember – without spending a fortune!
Which activity are you excited to try first?
Let me know in the comments!
Keep The Learning Going This Summer
- 75 Best trivia questions for second graders
- Fall writing prompt ideas for kids
- Fun 2nd grade writing prompts (free download)
- Second grade grammar worksheets
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