20 Fun Summer Activities for Kids

I’ve mentioned before that I am not a huge fan of summer. I just don’t like the heat. But growing up, summers were my most favorite time. What kid doesn’t like summer when there are so many activities for kids to do then? A chance to play round the clock, when the day mixes into night and suddenly the fireflies are blinking around you and the smell of sunscreen has long since faded away. I can remember spending my days at the lake, where I could see my feet under the water, so clear and pure. Walking with the silky sand under my feet, until I could no longer stand, the water enveloping me like an air-conditioned blanket. So much time was spent at the lake – I went swimming, lay on the floating dock, took out the rowboat with my best friend, attempting to row out to the island every summer but never quite making it. I think one year we did make it halfway, food and supplies in hand, but lost interest halfway there.

{ ©Synchronizer | Flickr }

Summer Activities for Kids

You know what the other things I remember from my childhood? Swimming after dinner with my family, walking home with ice cream from the local general store, keeping it high out of reach of my salivating and hairy dog, and falling asleep to the sound of the crickets. So many days were like this – relaxing and spending time with my family and friends, making memories doing simple activities for kids like these.

1. Go Swimming

Everyone needs to swim in the summertime. At least once. It’s impossible to deny the rush you feel when you go under the water and feel the cool envelope your body.

2. Host a BBQ

Did someone say hamburgers and corn on the cob? There’s just something about healthy summer appetizers, cooking on the grill and eating outside in the summer that’s so freeing and enjoyable.

3. PYO Fruit

If you PYO (pick your own) you will see the difference in farm fresh and store-bought. I do buy my fruit at the store usually, but in the summertime, it’s just so fun to pick at the farm under the blazing sun.

4. Feed the Animals

After picking fresh fruit, go see the animals! Not all fruit farms have animals, but many do. They make the trip so enjoyable, especially if you can feed them!

5. Make Strawberry Jam

Then when you get home, throw a batch of strawberry jam in the crockpot and let it cook for a few hours and voila – 2 or 3 pints of homemade sweet goodness for your morning toast!

6. Play in the Rain

I have to say I never really did this as a kid, but my own children have been teaching me the fun and spontaneity of playing the puddles and rain.

7. Plant Herbs Outside

You’ve been growing herbs indoors all winter, now you can enjoy a larger herb garden by moving them outside!

8. Make Lemonade

Nothing beats homemade lemonade, especially on a hot, steamy day when just moving a muscle makes you sweat. Relief. Sweet, ice-cold relief.

9. Have a Picnic

Have you ever just brought your dinner outside on the front lawn with a blanket and sat down to eat it like a picnic?

10. Watch the Sunset

I have sat out on the back porch on many summer evenings to watch the sun set. What a wonderful way to end the day and welcome the cool night air.

11. Go Fishing

Fishing was a big part of my childhood – I fished when I was camping as a kid and with my uncle for so many summers.

12. Make Homemade Ice Cream

You can make this stuff?! Some ice cream recipes include one ingredient only and you don’t even need an ice cream machine.

13. Run Through the Sprinkler

The next best thing to swimming is running through the sprinkler. It’s like a rite of passage for kids.

14. Roast Marshmallows

Can you even become a grown up without ever having roasted a marshmallow?


{ ©Terry Murphy / Flickr }

15. Take a Nap in a Hammock

We had a hammock when I was a kid. I loved laying in it with my dog and trying to read!

16. Play Mini Golf

Mini golf is one of those summer activities that is so fun to do with other people, but when it’s hot out, it’s nice to do something that doesn’t exert a ton of energy

17. Have a Tie Dye Party

Tie dying is so fun to do with other people, you can try shirts, socks, onesies and even underwear! Set up buckets and a clothesline and use the water hose for rinsing.


{ ©Mel Issa / Flickr }

18. Make Wind Chimes

Get the kids involved collecting odds and ends around the house and workbench and put together a wind chime!

19. Relax with an Icy Drink and a Book

This is my favorite part of summer!

20. Make Photo Book at End of Summer

Collect all of your photos and print a photo book to remember everything you did.

What is your favorite part of summer? What are your favorite activities for kids?