Are you looking for some fun things to keep the kids busy this summer? Here are 66 ideas to keep you busy going summer!
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Library-STORY TIME – something about a different setting breaks up the routine for the kids, gives them something to look forward to.
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Local Park – go early, pack a lunch, bring a drawing tablet, enjoy the outside before its too hot.
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Take a field trip.
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Visit a fire department.
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Play in the water – but aside from the everyday play in the sprinkler, kiddie pool – make games with the water – use the water with paint brushes and paint the fence (it dries clear)…put coloring in the water and stretch paper across a fence – fill water guns with this colored water and then they are really painting with water colors.
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Go to nearby woods, gather sticks, broken branches, etc. build a fort, or house this will provide days worth of enjoyment both in the gathering/building/playing inside.
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Take a nature walk…take along a journal, let the kids bring cameras, then go home, and create a nature book. That’s a whole ‘nother days activities (paper, photos, glue, scissors, notebook) this is especially good saved for a rainy day.
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Take an “Alphabet tour”… again camera(s) in hand, journals – letter guides for younger kids – drive to town/city – begin with the letter a (Apple street) b (building) c (colosseum) d(dairy queen) e(eatery) you get the drift – when you are done – each child has a personal and creative alphabet memory book.
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Check out kids free days at your museums.
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Go on a scavenger hunt
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Host a neighborhood carnival (we’re talking bean bag toss, use the water gun to shoot the ducky, egg on the spoon, those kind of games) – each neighbor hosts a game/activity and gives out a snack/drink – makes for a very fun day..
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Go to an outdoor concert (most towns/cities have a website where you can see what/when and which ones are free.)
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Check your movie theatre for free summer movies (usually morning showings)
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Go to the beach.
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Check out your local hardware store – they offer free kids club building projects.
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Cook with your kids (my kids are still loving to cook the evening meals with me) but let them plan it, be apart of the shopping, table setting – make dessert!)
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Host a cooking party – invite some friends (your kids aren’t the only ones home and wanting something to do) – have each mom bring a few ingredients and spend the day making cookies, treats, etc. (maybe you know someone who could use some extra love and attention – make a whole meal with these friends, let the kids make cards, and go make someones day brighter and happier).
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Go fly a kite
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Do a sewing project together. Make a picnic or story time blanket,or summer dress.
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Make sock puppets – put on a puppet shows.
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Go outside for reading time.
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Hide all the army men, mini animals, etc. in the sand pit – have a excavation. (even read a book about archeologists before hand).
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Play dress up.
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Have a tea party.
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Make an obstacle course out of your back yard and have races.
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Go fishing.
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Go on a bike ride.
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Camp in your back yard.
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Go bowling (a lot of the alleys offer students 2 free games over the summer).
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Tour local historic sites.
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Teach the kids to knit.
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Check with a local farm – offer to help feed the animals.
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Set up a lemonade stand.
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Set up hotwheels races in the driveway.(make a trophy to give to the winning car – then next time – the new winning car gets the trophy.)
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Have a LEGO building contest (using x # pieces, only using blue pieces, creating something a certain height, create something that moves, etc.)
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Make a doll.
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Hunt for animal tracks. (get a book from the library to help identify them).
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Have a dress up party (doesn’t have to be Halloween to wear those costumes).
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Learn bird calls.
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Use magazines to make mosaics.
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Check your craft stores for make and take craft projects (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc.).
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Tour a factory.
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Make musical instruments and become a ‘home band’ sensation! (think – pie pan tamborine, papertowl holder rain stick, string and cereal box guitar) – dont forget to dress the part!
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Make tye die shirts. (play some groovy tunes, too)
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Take a picnic to dad/mom/grandma/ etc… give them a nice break from their work day.
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Make a tent in the living room.
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Make a bird feeder with pine cones & peanut butter (and bird seed of course).
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Paint with fruit and veggies (and anything else you will let them paint with – think q-tips, old toothbrush, sponges, leaves…. etc.)
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Play charades.
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Have a “BORED” game day – pull out all those dusty games and let each child pick a game if its nice outside – take em out on your picnic blanket.
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Walk your neighbors dog.
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Gather friends and have a “clean” the park day – celebrate your good deed with a picnic and play time.
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Sculpt with homeade playdough
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Collect Seashells. (then sort by color/size. etc. – make a seashell necklace or use the shells to decorate an empty jar – adults should use the glue gun).
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Play “I Spy” as you walk around your neighborhood.
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Go to a farmers market.
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Check your newspaper for local summer festivals.
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Make a checker board and your own checkers. Then play for a bit…
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Make your own board games.
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Have a Christmas in July party and ask all the guests to bring donations for your local food pantry.
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Gather, paint, make pet rocks.
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Do a toy swap (pack up those forgotten toys and swap with a friend – kids love new “to them” toys as much as they love :NEW: toys.
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“Play” school.
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Travel around the world. Have English scones for breakfast, Chinese Stir Fry for lunch, Italian for dinner. Make a craft to go with each country, get a library book with photos of these places. (maybe even see if you have a friend your child can become pen pals with.)
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Play tennis, soccer, kickball, football, etc.
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Make a sandcastle. If you dont have a sand box, gather up all sorts of containers and some water jugs and head over to your local park – spend the day building a great sand castle together -lots of kids will want to get in on the action so its a great social time, too.
Most importantly remember the simplicity of childhood is found in the quality of the time spent together – enjoy each moment, create an environment of joy and excitement, learning and fun!!
