12 Simple and Fun Summer Activities for Kids at Home

Summer at home with kids can be a challenge. 

 

Sure, you can send them to camps, but sometimes those are expensive, and you can’t rely on having a weekly camp for your child over the summer.

 

And now that I have a school-aged child, fun summer activities for kids are top of mind for me. 

 

Although it can be challenging, having summer fun at home is just as magical as a camp or a big vacation. With proper planning, creativity, and caffeine (for you…not your kid!), you can have a great fun summer at home. 

 

Below is a list of 12 fun summer activities for kids that include both free and paid ideas so that you can make this summer fun and enjoyable for the whole family. 

 

 

Tips on Planning Fun Summer Activities for Kids

 

Before we dive into the list of fun summer activities for kids, I wanted to offer a few tips on planning your summer fun to make things easier.

 

1. Stick to your routine

Honestly, even though your kids are out of school, keeping them on the same schedule is helpful. Kids like a routine, so sticking to their usual wake-up time, meal times, and bedtime will benefit everyone. 

 

2. Plan your summer by week

It is hard to think about an entire summer, but breaking things down by weeks makes it easier. Print out the months (likely June, July, and August). Fill in any dates you already have plans for (like camps or vacations), and then see how many weeks you are left with. You might not need to plan as many fun summer activities as you think!

 

3. Create themes

After determining the number of weeks you need to plan fun summer activities for kids, come up with themes for each of those weeks. Giving the week a theme helps structure things and provides a guide. There are so many free resources for camp-style themes. The Summer Camp at Home Planner from Best Movies Right Now is a favorite of mine. 

 

4. Spend time outside

Fresh air is great for kids, and spending time outside is a good way to kill time during the summer. You don’t have to go to the park. Kids can play in the yard, draw with chalk, or do activities like blow bubbles on a deck/patio. Planning a small amount of time outside daily to get fresh air and sunshine will do everyone good.

 

 

 

 

12 Fun Summer Activities for Kids (That They’ll Love!)

 

1. Little Baristas Summer Camp Printable

One of the weekly themes I wanted to create for my daughter this summer was around coffee. But I couldn’t find anything that matched the idea I had in my head. So I decided to make it, and now I’m sharing it with you too. 

 

To say I’m excited about my Little Baristas Summer Camp printable is an understatement. 

 

It is a 5-day camp-style activity printable with activities, crafts, coloring pages, and more. Each day has a specific theme and a variety of activities for the day. It was created for ages 3-7, but older kids may enjoy some of the activities too!

 

 

2. Make Food Together

Baking or cooking is a great fun summer activity for kids, and you get to eat what you make too! There are so many things you can make with your kids, but here are some of my favorites that I frequently bake/cook with my 4-year-old: 

 

Easy baking recipes that everyone will enjoy:

• Bagels – Seriously, this recipe is simple and hands-on. My daughter does great with it!
• Cookies – This is forever the best chocolate chip cookie recipe. A few tips that I do that I think result in even better cookies are to completely melt the butter and not use an electric mixer like the recipe says (I just use a fork).
• Muffins – Always a hit. Here’s a great, easy recipe to bake together.

Dinner ideas that kids will love to help make (and eat!):

• Tacos – Consider using ground turkey or chicken in place of beef if you want a healthier option. This is my family’s favorite taco seasoning: Organic Taco Seasoning from Thrive. (If you aren’t a member, here’s a link to save 40% on your first order!)
• Make your own pizza – My tip is to make at least two pizzas, maybe three if you have a large family. The kids get their own pizza and can shape the dough and pick their toppings. Then the grown-ups get the other!
• Charcuterie board – consider making a shape like this flag for July 4th. Kids will love helping to arrange the food (and eating as they go!)

 

If you need an easy way to organize recipes, check out Meals Hero! I’m loving having all my recipes digitally in one place, plus it makes meal planning and generating a shopping list a breeze!

 

 

3. Create a Summer Bucket List

 

This is a great interactive activity because you can create the bucket list together and then work on it throughout the summer. 

You can do something as simple as just writing or drawing on a piece of paper. There are also tons of templates (with premade and fill-in-the-blank options) out there. Including my bucket list bundle.

 

If you really want to go all out, get a poster board to create the list. Decorate the poster with markers, crayons, and stickers. Then hang it up somewhere in your house and check things off as you complete them.

 

 

4. Take a “Field Trip”

Plan at least one day a week to go out and do something, think like a field trip. 

 

Here are some easy field trip ideas to look into:

• Library outing
• Farmer’s Market
• Kid-friendly museum
• Go to the pool
• Pick berries (strawberries and blueberries specifically, as these are most commonly available during the summer)
• Go for a hike

 

Whatever it is, get out of the house and do something different from your normal errands around town. Go on a “field trip.”

 

I find that planning one outing a week is a good way to balance things and keep kids excited about leaving the house, while not overwhelming them (or yourself) with always being on the “go.”

 

 

5. Plan a Movie Day and Snack Bar

Yes, you should be cognizant of screen time for kids, but this is a great activity for a rainy day, which will undoubtedly happen at least once during the summer. And you need to prepare some fun summer activities for kids that can be done indoors, too.

 

Have snacks on hand to create a snack bar. It doesn’t have to be candy, you can include things like pretzels, goldfish, crackers, fruits, and vegetables.

 

You can put the snacks on a counter or table, or you could bring them into the living room and set everything up picnic style on the floor for the movie.

 

Speaking of the movie, pick out a few options and then let your kids choose what they want to watch. If there’s a dispute over the movie selection, consider watching two movies (one in the morning and one in the afternoon). Or, you could do another movie and snack bar day the following week.

 

 

Looking for coffee movie suggestions? Check out this list!

 

 

6. Do Makeovers (Or Create a Full-On Spa Day)

Girls of any age will likely love this one because makeovers are a classic. But you can also turn it up a notch and do a full spa or glam day!

 

Start with nails and let kids choose from a few nail polish colors. Get a bowl of warm water with bubbles for soaking hands or feet and maybe even some cucumber slices over the eyes for the “full experience.” Consider doing face masks (just make sure they are gentle and kid-safe), or DIY your own.

 

After the “spa” portion, move on to makeup. Then, encourage dress-up time after the makeover and turn the living room into a runway. Play fun music, let them strut, and even snap some photos.

 

If you have boys or your child isn’t into makeup/spa days, make it more about transformation, think face painting, temporary tattoos, superhero costumes, or designing a mask. 

 

 

7. Scavenger Hunt (Indoor, Outdoor, or Themed!)

Scavenger hunts are endlessly customizable and can be a go-to summer activity again and again because you can always switch up the theme.

 

Here are a few ideas to make it more exciting:

• Nature Hunt: Head outside with a printable checklist or empty egg carton for collecting things like leaves, flowers, or rocks.
• Color Hunt: Task kids with finding items around the house in every color of the rainbow.
• Photo Hunt: Give older kids a phone or camera and have them take pictures of the items they find. You can even have a prize for the most creative photo!
• Treasure Hunt: Hide small toys, trinkets, or treats around the house or yard and write clues for them to solve along the way.

For some extra fun, offer a scavenger hunt “passport” that they can stamp or put a sticker in each time they complete a hunt. It’s a great way to repeat the same activity over and over again throughout the summer. 

 

 

8. Press Flowers or Leaves

A simple but enjoyable activity and a great way to get outside. You don’t need wax paper to do this, but it does help the process. 

 

For a fun way to spin this to kids, tie it into a scavenger hunt and get outside. Create a list of flowers or types of leaves they need to find and head out. When you get home, press and preserve the flowers/leaves. 

 

After they’ve dried, use the pressed flowers or leaves to create bookmarks, greeting cards, wall art, or even decorate journal pages. You can laminate them, glue them to cardstock, or frame their favorites for a keepsake.

 

 

9. Order a Subscription Box

There are monthly subscription boxes for everything: STEM, crafts, cooking, nature exploration, and more! And, if summer camp isn’t in budget this year, consider a subscription box that brings fun summer activities for kids to you at home!

 

These are some great subscription boxes that have lots of activities and are reasonably priced (especially when compared to sending your kids to camp):

• Wiggle Worms Kits – this is the one I’m currently using, and we are enjoying it.
• KiwiCo – You can also buy KiwiCo boxes (no subscription) on Amazon
• Little Passports
• Raddish Kids
• Highlights

If subscription boxes still aren’t in the budget, don’t worry. There are lots of affordable, printable camps available on Etsy (like my Little Baristas Summer Camp!) that offer just as much fun and flexibility.

 

 

10. Water Play Day

Water makes everything better in the summer. If you don’t have a pool or aren’t near a local one, you can create a water day right at home.

 

Here are some easy, fun summer activities for kids:

• Sprinklers or splash pads
• Water balloons
• Buckets and cups for pouring fun
• A water table (or just use a large plastic bin)
• Sponge toss game

You could even create a “car wash” for bikes and scooters! Water play is an easy win and perfect for cooling down during those hotter days.

 

 

11. Arts & Crafts Afternoon

Have a craft explosion day where you break out all the supplies and let your child’s imagination run wild.

 

Here are some ideas (and links) to get you started:

• Paint-your-own rocks
• Make paper plate animals
• Create puppets with brown paper bags or socks
• DIY bird feeders or fairy houses

 

Add a little structure or mix it up weekly by creating a theme or challenge (like “create something with only three colors” or “make a jungle animal”).

 

 

12. Backyard Camping Night

Set up a tent, make a fire, roast some s’mores. Older kids, especially, will love this one as it’s special and fun. 

It’s a chance to slow down and make a memory, and no travel is required.

 

Don’t forget flashlights for shadow puppet shows or a round of flashlight tag before bed. Bring out cozy blankets, read bedtime stories by lantern light, or listen to nature sounds together. 

 

Alternatively, you could do this inside if you don’t have a big yard or if it ends up raining. Indoor campouts are still fun, plus you can watch a movie!

 

 

Summer doesn’t have to be elaborate camps and endless vacations. 

 

Sometimes, the best memories are made right at home with a popsicle in your child’s hand and a coffee in yours.

 

And, with a little planning and some fun summer activities for kids, you can have a great summer right at home!

 

 

More Fun for Kids:

• The Best Coffee Books for Kids
• Disney Gift Boxes for Kids