20 Fun Summer Activities for Kids (2024)

1. Sandcastle Kingdom: Time to Build!

Get ready to be a master sandcastle builder! All you need is a beach or sandbox, a few tools, and a big imagination.

First, find the perfect spot. You want sand that’s not too dry, but not too soggy either. It should feel a bit like damp cookie dough.

Time to build the base! Use a bucket to scoop and pack lots of sand into a big mound. This is the foundation of your castle. Make it big and strong so your castle can be tall!

Add towers! Keep using your bucket to make smaller piles of sand on top of your base. These will be your castle towers. Get creative– make some tall and skinny, others short and round!

Don’t forget the walls! Use your hands or a small shovel to build walls connecting the towers. You can even try fancy decorations like squiggly lines or bridges.

Let your imagination run wild! Add a moat with a tiny puddle of water, build a flag out of a stick and seashell, or make tiny people from pebbles. Your sandcastle is your own amazing kingdom!

2. Nature Detectives: Get Exploring!

Are you ready for an outdoor adventure? It’s time for a Nature Scavenger Hunt! This is like a treasure hunt, but the treasures are all the amazing things you can find in nature.

First, you need your Detective List. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Something soft (like a fluffy dandelion or moss)
Something round (like a pebble or a curled-up leaf)
Something that smells good (a flower, or maybe some yummy-smelling leaves)
Something with spots
Something a bird might like (a twig, a seed, or a feather)

Now head outside! This could be your backyard, a park, or even a walk around the neighborhood. Use your eyes, ears, and nose to find the things on your list.

Remember, be kind to nature! Look carefully, but don’t pick flowers or break branches. You can take pictures instead, and show off your amazing discoveries when you get home.

3. Chalk Power: Turn the Sidewalk into YOUR Art Gallery!

Imagine having a giant canvas to draw on, right outside your door! With sidewalk chalk, you can make your driveway or sidewalk a colorful masterpiece.

4. Have a picnic. Pack a lunch and head to the park for a fun and relaxing picnic.

Having a picnic is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with family and friends. Here are some tips for planning a successful picnic:

Choose a location. There are many different places where you can have a picnic, such as a park, the beach, or a backyard.
Pack a variety of food. You’ll want to have something for everyone, so pack a variety of sandwiches, salads, fruits, and snacks.
Don’t forget the drinks. Pack plenty of water, juice, or soda to keep everyone hydrated.
Bring some games or activities. This will help keep everyone entertained while you’re at the park.
Be prepared for the weather. If it’s going to be a hot day, pack sunscreen and a hat. If it’s going to be a cold day, pack a blanket or sweatshirt.

Here are some additional tips for making your picnic more fun and relaxing:

Let the kids help pack the picnic basket. This will make them feel involved and excited about the picnic.
Choose a spot in the shade. This will help you stay cool and comfortable.
Bring a picnic blanket to sit on. This will make it more comfortable to eat and relax.
Play some games or have a sing-along. This is a great way to have fun and bond with your family and friends.
Take some time to enjoy the scenery. The park is a great place to relax and take in the fresh air.

5. Go camping. Camping is a great way to spend time with family and friends and enjoy the outdoors.

Camping is a great way to spend time with family and friends and enjoy the outdoors. It is a great way to relax and connect with nature.

Here are some tips for planning a successful camping trip:

Choose a campsite that is appropriate for your group’s needs. Consider the age of your children, their interests, and your own preferences.
Pack plenty of food and drinks. Be sure to pack snacks and drinks that are easy to eat and drink.

Bring plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. This could include games, books, toys, or a deck of cards.
Be prepared for the weather. Pack rain gear and sunscreen, even if the forecast is calling for sunny skies.
Leave no trace. Be sure to pack out all of your trash and leave the campsite as you found it.

Yes, camping is a great way to spend time with family and friends and enjoy the outdoors. It is a great way to relax and connect with nature.

Here are some tips for planning a successful camping trip:

Choose a campsite that is appropriate for your group’s needs. Consider the age of your children, their interests, and your own preferences.Opens in a new window www.trespass.comFamily camping
Pack plenty of food and drinks. Be sure to pack snacks and drinks that are easy to eat and drink.
Bring plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. This could include games, books, toys, or a deck of cards.
Be prepared for the weather. Pack rain gear and sunscreen, even if the forecast is calling for sunny skies.
Leave no trace. Be sure to pack out all of your trash and leave the campsite as you found it.

Here are some additional tips for making your camping trip more fun and enjoyable:

Let everyone help pack for the trip. This will make them feel involved and excited about the camping trip.
Choose a campsite that has a playground or other activities for kids.
Go on hikes or nature walks. This is a great way for everyone to explore nature and learn about the outdoors.
Have a campfire. This is a great way to roast marshmallows, tell stories, and sing songs.
Go stargazing. This is a great way for everyone to learn about the stars and planets.

Camping is a great way to create lasting memories with your family and friends. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your camping trip is a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

6. Go to the beach.The beach is a great place to swim, sunbathe, and build sandcastles.

Yes, going to the beach is one of my favorite summer activities. It is a great place to relax and enjoy the sun and sand. Here are some of the things you can do at the beach:

Swim. The beach is a great place to cool off on a hot day. Swimming is a low-impact exercise that is good for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Sunbathe. Lie on the beach and soak up the sun’s rays. Sunbathing can help boost your mood and vitamin D levels.
Build sandcastles. Use the sand to build your own creative masterpieces.
Go for a walk or run. Take a walk or run along the beach to get some exercise.

The beach is a great place to relax and have fun. There are so many things you can do at the beach, so you’re sure to find something to enjoy.

Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when going to the beach:

Be aware of the tides and currents.
Don’t swim alone.
Be careful of jellyfish and other marine life.
Apply sunscreen and reapply often.
Drink plenty of water.
Don’t leave valuables unattended.
Leave no trace.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your trip to the beach is safe and enjoyable.

7. Water Balloon Fun

The Classic Water Balloon Fight: This is the core of water balloon madness. Kids (and adults!) fill dozens of balloons, scatter across a wide-open area, then hurl them at each other for refreshing wet chaos.
Variations:
- Target Practice: Set up old buckets, plastic bottles, or draw targets on a fence. Kids get points for hitting the targets, or you can create teams to compete for accuracy.
- Water Balloon Dodgeball: Play a traditional game of dodgeball, but use water balloons instead of balls.
- Water Balloon Hot Potato: Gather in a circle and toss a water balloon around. If the balloon breaks on your turn, you’re out! The last person standing wins.
- Water Balloon Piñata: Hang a filled water balloon and have kids take turns hitting or throwing smaller balloons at it for a huge, splashy reward!

8. DIY Slip ‘N Slide: Get Ready for Slippery Summer Fun!

Imagine a super fun way to beat the summer heat! It’s called a Slip ‘N Slide, and you can make it right in your own backyard. All you need is a big plastic tarp, lots of water, and a squirt of dish soap.

First, find a grassy spot in your yard, maybe with a gentle slope. Roll out your long plastic tarp. The longer it is, the more zooming fun you’ll have! Think of it as a giant slippery path.

Now, connect your garden hose to the top of the tarp. Turn the water on and watch it flow down, making the whole tarp wet and shiny! Squirt some dish soap along the middle – this will make it extra slippery.

Are you ready? Take a running start and jump onto the start of the Slip ‘N Slide. Wheeee! You’ll feel yourself gliding and swooshing down, giggling all the way! At the end, splash into a big pile of soft grass.

The best part? You can do it again and again! Invite your friends over and have a super splashy Slip ‘N Slide party!

9. Sprinkler Splash Party!

Hot day got you feeling like a wilted flower? Time for the best way to cool down – a sprinkler splash party!

Find your favorite sprinkler. There are sprinklers that spin, sprinklers that shower, and sprinklers that wiggle! Ask a grown-up to set it up and turn on the water.

Now for the fun! Put on your swimsuit and get ready to feel the splashy, sparkly drops! Run through the water and feel it on your skin. Doesn’t it feel amazing?

Giggle and squeal! Dodge the water streams or jump right in them! Dance under the sprinkler showers and try to catch the water drops.

Play games with your friends! Play tag, see who can get the wettest, or even try to make a silly sprinkler dance. The sillier, the better!

Sprinkler play is the coolest way to have fun on a hot summer day!

10. Backyard Wilderness Adventure!

Get ready for the coolest camping adventure, right in your own backyard! Forget packing lots of stuff, you’re only steps away from your house.

First, build your wilderness camp! Set up a tent with the help of a grown-up. Make it cozy inside with blankets, pillows, and maybe even a flashlight to tell stories in the dark.

If you have a fire pit (and a grown-up to help), it’s time for a campfire! Roast yummy marshmallows for s’mores – melty chocolate and gooey marshmallows between crackers. Delicious!

Look up at the sky! Can you find the stars? Do they look different from inside your backyard? Tell campfire stories with your family or friends. Make them spooky or silly, whatever sparks your imagination!

Snuggle inside your tent and listen to the sounds of the night. Crickets chirping, owls hooting… your backyard has turned into a nighttime jungle!