Get Out and Explore
Take advantage of the amazing weather and long sunny days! Get out and explore the world around you, or visit a historical site in your area.
Birdie See, Birdie Do! Go bird watching with the family. Make sure to snap photos of your flying friends so you can look them up in a bird guidebook.
Take a Hike: No, we mean it! Visit your favorite route near your house or drive to a distant park or monument site.
Learn from History: A trip to a nearby historical site or farm is a great way for kids to keep their learning skills up while observing how different things must have been “back then.”
Sand Drawing: Drawing with sand is so much fun! Like Buggy and Buddy, using clear squeeze bottles and a variety of colored sand, use the great outdoors for your canvas!
Sand Bottle Art: Recycle some old bottles or containers and create a fantastic keepsake. Art Barused food coloring to dye sand in a variety of colors.
Bike Rides: Most kids are probably still avid bike riders. Make a family activity out of it and do a weekly bike ride together.
Climb Trees! Since safety comes first, this activity is excellent for older kids eager to stretch their legs and get a better view.
Activities for Artists
Whether it is crafts, painting, or baking, these artsy activities will keep your kids entertained all summer!
Paint a Mural: This can be a tribute to a fun summer this year. If you have a blank wall in a room, basement, or garage and don’t mind some “color,” create a family mural. Have everyone contribute over the summer, maybe highlighting a special moment or day you all shared.
Color Your Walkways: With Chalk, of course! Use regular sidewalk chalk and design a plethora of artwork to display on your driveway or walkway. It will be a great gift to the neighborhood!
Make a Rock Garden: Go on an excursion to collect rocks and then paint them. Kids can have fun naming all of their new pet rocks. Or decorate the family garden with them.
The Pizza Challenge: This is a great way to involve the whole family or a big group of friends. First, try making your own pizza dough. Then, create and bake your pizzas. Kids can help shred cheese and chop veggies for toppings. Now, make it a taste-test competition. Like a chili cook-off, whoever makes the best-tasting pizza wins!
Fun for STEM Kids
Take learning to new heights indoors or outside with these STEM Activities! Nothing makes learning more exciting for kids than knowing there’s some fun behind every lesson!
Make a Bird Feeder: Incorporate mathematical and building skills into this project! Then add some birdseed and watch the feathered friends stop for a snack.
Kite Flying: Make a kite or buy one, and spend some time in the sunshine as you let your colorful kite fly in the open air.
Skips and Stones: Teach your kids the art and science behind skipping stones. A walk or bike ride to a local pond or stream will add to the fun activity.
Blast Off Some Bottle Rockets: Create and build Bottle Rockets. This activity uses chemistry skills to design the best high flyer. You can even plan family or neighborhood competitions.
Go Local
If you plan to stay local this summer, there are always some neat staycation options to explore. It’s the perfect time to showcase your home area to friends or family visiting from out of town!
Hit All the Sales: Visit a local flea market or go to a garage sale. Challenge kids to find the best bargains on items they may want to buy with that allowance money.
Day Trip Road Trip: Research new towns or cities that are short distances from your home. Explore their sites and lunch at one of their local restaurants.
Picnic Lunch in the Park: Everyone has a favorite local park or playground they frequently visit. Pack some of the kid’s favorite lunch treats and picnic on the grass. Some parks offer free summer concerts or movie nights in the park, too!
Movie Time at the Drive-In: Every kid should experience this nostalgic adventure! Search your local area for a Drive-In nearby. Or, if you’re traveling, look for one near your vacation spot.
Fun in the Sun!
Fun in the sun isn’t always about going to the beach or swimming. Here are some other “In the Sun” options for kids this summer.
Build and Obstacle Course: Kids will not only use basic science skills to design it just right, but this gives them a chance to burn off some energy and stay active. Make sure you have safety measures in place, of course!
Go Fish! You can’t go wrong with this classic outdoor activity. In some areas, children can fish without a license or look up when there are free fishing days in your area.
Go Big with Mini Golf: Check out a nearby put-put course or family fun center. Or, to be more innovative: Build your course on a driveway, back patio, or dirt lot!
Backyard Campout: Bring out the sleeping bags and roasting sticks and pitch a tent in your backyard! The whole family can even sleep under the stars.
Go for a Treasure Hunt: You can go small and create a treasure hunt on your own property or maybe around your neighborhood. Kids can even do a photo scavenger hunt. Using their phones or disposable cameras, make them work off the list to collect the picture shots!
Remember that these summer break ideas aren’t just for kids! Many of these activities are fun for the whole family to join in and share. These are just a few of our favorite fun adventures kids can have on their summer vacation. Hopefully, this guide will help your family build wonderful memories for years!