Free Activities for the Summer

Are you looking for some fun things to keep the kids busy this summer? Here are 66 ideas to keep you busy going summer!

Library-STORY TIME – something about a different setting breaks up the routine for the kids, gives them something to look forward to.
Local Park – go early, pack a lunch, bring a drawing tablet, enjoy the outside before its too hot.
Take a field trip.
Visit a fire department.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Check out kids free days at your museums.
Go on a scavenger hunt
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..
Go to an outdoor concert (most towns/cities have a website where you can see what/when and which ones are free.)
Check your movie theatre for free summer movies (usually morning showings)
Go to the beach.
Check out your local hardware store – they offer free kids club building projects.
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!)
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).
Go fly a kite
Do a sewing project together. Make a picnic or story time blanket,or summer dress.
Make sock puppets – put on a puppet shows.
Go outside for reading time.
Hide all the army men, mini animals, etc. in the sand pit – have a excavation. (even read a book about archeologists before hand).
Play dress up.
Have a tea party.
Make an obstacle course out of your back yard and have races.
Go fishing.
Go on a bike ride.
Camp in your back yard.
Go bowling (a lot of the alleys offer students 2 free games over the summer).
Tour local historic sites.
Teach the kids to knit.
Check with a local farm – offer to help feed the animals.
Set up a lemonade stand.
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.)
Have a LEGO building contest (using x # pieces, only using blue pieces, creating something a certain height, create something that moves, etc.)
Make a doll.
Hunt for animal tracks. (get a book from the library to help identify them).
Have a dress up party (doesn’t have to be Halloween to wear those costumes).
Learn bird calls.
Use magazines to make mosaics.
Check your craft stores for make and take craft projects (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc.).
Tour a factory.
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!
Make tye die shirts. (play some groovy tunes, too)
Take a picnic to dad/mom/grandma/ etc… give them a nice break from their work day.
Make a tent in the living room.
Make a bird feeder with pine cones & peanut butter (and bird seed of course).
Paint with fruit and veggies (and anything else you will let them paint with – think q-tips, old toothbrush, sponges, leaves…. etc.)
Play charades.
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.
Walk your neighbors dog.
Gather friends and have a “clean” the park day – celebrate your good deed with a picnic and play time.
Sculpt with homeade playdough
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).
Play “I Spy” as you walk around your neighborhood.
Go to a farmers market.
Check your newspaper for local summer festivals.
Make a checker board and your own checkers. Then play for a bit…
Make your own board games.
Have a Christmas in July party and ask all the guests to bring donations for your local food pantry.
Gather, paint, make pet rocks.
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.
“Play” school.
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.)
Play tennis, soccer, kickball, football, etc.
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!!

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