Activities

35 Summer Activities for Kids

Keep kids active and entertained all summer long with these fun screen-free summer activities including outdoor adventures, STEM projects, crafts, water games, and family challenges.

2026-05-26Reading time: 10 min

Summer starts with excitement:

"No school!"

Then a few weeks later:

"I'm bored..."

Without structure, summer days can quickly turn into hours of TV, tablets, and endless scrolling.

The good news is that kids naturally want movement, exploration, creativity, and adventure. A few simple ideas can turn ordinary summer days into memorable experiences.

Quick Picks

Best for active kids: Backyard Olympics

Best for creative kids: Sidewalk chalk city

Best for STEM learning: DIY water experiments

Best for siblings: Treasure hunt challenge

Best overall: Summer adventure bucket list

Outdoor Adventure Activities

1. Backyard Camping Night

Bring:

Blankets
Flashlights
Snacks
Stories

Bonus:

Try sleeping outside for one night.

2. Nature Scavenger Hunt

Find:

A feather
Something yellow
A bug
A smooth rock
Something tiny

3. Bike Adventure Day

Create a route and stop for:

Snacks
Photos
Small challenges

4. Sidewalk Chalk City

Draw:

Roads
Stores
Parks
Obstacle courses

5. Treasure Hunt

Themes:

Pirate adventure
Dinosaur hunt
Superhero mission

Water Activities

6. Water Balloon Toss

7. Sponge Relay Race

Supplies:

Buckets
Sponges
Water

8. DIY Car Wash Station

Kids wash:

Bikes
Scooters
Ride-on toys

9. Sprinkler Challenge

Create:

Jump challenges
Relay races
Obstacle games

10. Ice Treasure Hunt

Freeze toys inside containers and let kids rescue them.

STEM Summer Activities

11. Volcano Experiment

Supplies:

Baking soda
Vinegar
Food coloring

Popular STEM Pick

Kids STEM Experiment Kit

Hands-on experiments and activities designed for curious kids.

Check Price

12. Build a Weather Station

Track:

Temperature
Wind
Clouds
Rain

13. Paper Airplane Competition

Challenges:

Distance
Speed
Accuracy

14. Shadow Tracking Experiment

Observe shadow changes throughout the day.

15. Backyard Bug Investigation

Kids become mini scientists.

Bring:

Magnifying glasses
Notebook
Observation sheets

Creative Summer Activities

16. Paint Outdoor Rocks

17. Build a Cardboard Fort

18. Create a Summer Journal

Ideas:

Favorite moments
Drawings
Photos
Adventure lists

19. DIY Puppet Show

20. Create a Comic Book

Kids invent:

Characters
Stories
Adventures

Family Activities

21. Family Game Night Outside

22. Backyard Olympics

Ideas:

Running race
Jumping contest
Bean bag toss
Relay race

23. Family Picnic Challenge

Kids help plan:

Snacks
Location
Games

24. Family Talent Show

25. Story Builder Game

Take turns adding one sentence.

Bonus Summer Bucket List Ideas

26. Watch a Sunset

27. Catch Fireflies

28. Visit a Local Park

29. Build a Giant Fort

30. Make Homemade Popsicles

31. Read Outside

32. Have a Dance Party

33. Make Friendship Bracelets

34. Fly a Kite

35. Create a Summer Time Capsule

Parent Tip

Summer activities don't need to be expensive. Kids often remember simple moments like treasure hunts, camping in the backyard, and family challenges more than costly entertainment.

Recommended Summer Supplies

Useful items many parents keep nearby:

Sidewalk chalk
Water balloons
Magnifying glasses
Craft kits
Family games
Binoculars
Outdoor activity cards

Summer Favorite

Summer Adventure Kit

A collection of outdoor activities and family-friendly games.