Want to beat boredom this summer? These fun and simple summer activities for kids are perfect to help you entertain your little ones over the sunny season.
Whether your kids are on their summer break from school or they are tiny toddlers, these summer things to do are great for days at home.
They include fun games, simply crafts and things they can make.
You may also like my summer crafts ideas, these printable summer activities and my summer scavenger hunt printables.
For easy summer fun, check out these no prep summer activities.
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Best summer activities to keep boredom at bay
Here are my top picks for things you can do with your kids this summer – they include independent activities and stuff you can do together. They are all tried and tested by parents for you!
Mud ice cream shop
Kids love to play around in the dirt, so make it extra fun with this quirky mud ice cream shop idea!
Kids use mud from the garden to create ice cream cones, and then decorate them however they like.
Then they can sell their ice cream from their own little stall in your yard.
Trampoline games
If you have a trampoline in your garden then trampoline games are a great way to enjoy a warm summer’s day.
Sprinkler games
Just the simple act of jumping through a sprinkler is enough of a joy for most kids!
However you can also try playing sprinkler games, such as who can do the silliest jump through the water and tug of war where the losing team gets pulled into the water.
Shark painted rocks
Summer is a time for trips to the beach, so these shark painted rocks are a perfect craft to do ahead of a trip to the ocean.
My kids love creating painted rocks and then hiding them in the woods or at the park for other kids to find.
These shark rocks are perfect for this, or if your child wants to hang on to them then place them in a sand/water table for fun seaside-themed playtime.
Outdoor scavenger hunt
If you have neighbours with kids then this fun neighbourhood sidewalk chalk scavenger hunt is such a fun idea!
You get your neighbours to draw the different characters or objects on their sidewalk outside their home and kids have to search for each one using this fun scavenger hunt printable.
If your neighbours don’t have kids then try doing it yourself by drawing the characters in your own front and back garden.
Ice painting
Frozen ice painting is a great activity for kids on hot days.
Freeze some of your child’s paint in an ice cube tray (you will need to leave it overnight). Add some wooden sticks to the paint before you freeze, and then you have paint cubes on sticks that are perfect for using to paint paint on warm days.
Sidewalk chalk art
Speaking of sidewalk chalk, this is one of the cheapest and most low maintenance activities you can get your kids involved in over the summer.
A pack of sidewalk chalk costs very little but provides hours of entertainment. Kids can create doodles, rainbows, self portraits, a road for their toy cars, the possibilities are endless.
Bug sensory hunt
I love this bug sensory hunt and it’s so easy to put together. It’s perfect for younger kids.
Mix plastic bugs into tubs filled with pasta, jelly or rice and challenge kids to fish out the bugs using their hand or tongs from your kitchen.
Sponge water bombs
Water balloons can be bad for the planet, so why not have a try at making these cool sponge water bombs for hot days outdoors?
They’re durable and can be used for water fights all summer long!
Cardboard colouring
A simple cardboard box has the potential for hours of fun! Either let your kids sit inside it and decorate it however they like, or try this cardboard colouring idea outside.
Attach the box to your fence and let your kids add whatever doodles, drawings and patterns they want.
Watermelon slime
Slime is a great fun activity no matter what the time of year. This watermelon seed slime is perfect for the summer months when watermelon is the snack of choice for kids.
Suncatcher craft
This pretty suncatcher is a great nature activity for kids to enjoy.
Plus you get a pretty craft to hang at home when they are done.
Shadow drawings
Children will love this cool shadow drawing challenge. Get them to place their favourite toys on a white sheet of paper – the bigger the better – and then ask them to draw around the toys’ shadows.
You may need to play around with where in your garden you place the sheet of paper, to get the best angle for the shadows.
DIY Nerf targets
Do your kids love to play target practice with their Nerf? these cool DIY targets are so much fun.
They’re so easy to recreate as well!
Pool noodle ring toss
Got some old pool noodles laying around? Why not use them to create this fun pool noodle ring toss game!
It’s a great fun competitive game for the whole family.
Toilet paper seedling pots
Gardening is a perfect activity for kids during summer, my two love to help out.
You can get them involved with this fun crafty activity. Use old toilet paper rolls to make seedling pots!
This lovely idea includes creating painted stone markers.
Clay bug garden stakes
Another fun gardening craft is to challenge your kids to make their own clay bug garden stakes. These are a lovely way to decorate your garden or indoor potted plants
Baking soda and vinegar sensory play
Want to give your kids a summer science lesson? Try this fun baking soda and vinegar sensory play activity.
The bright colours make it look so much fun, and the things you need are probably already in your home or cost very little.
Water tarp game
This DIY water tarp game is bound to have your kids entertained for hours.
It involves using tarp to create a huge target game.
Rainbow Mentos experiment
How much fun does this cool Mentos experiment look?
This is another science activity your kids will really love. Get different coloured sodas and then combine them with Mentos to see a rainbow explosion.
Jump rope games
The humble jump role is still a real crowd-pleaser and with good reason. There are tons of things your kids can do with one, whether they are playing on their own or with a group of friends.
Backyard Summer Camp has 12 great ideas for games your kids can play with a jump rope.
Fly swatter bubbles
Turn a simple fly swatter into a cool bubble machine with this fun activity.
It’s an ideal game for kids who have not mastered blowing bubbles for themselves just yet.
