75 Fun Summer Activities for Kids

Last Updated on 06/09/2024 by Nell Marie

Summer is almost here and the season of bored kids is almost upon us. These fun summer activities for kids will help keep your kids less bored and more entertained!

It’s an age-old question parents ask, how do I keep my kids active and not bored in the summer?

I ask it even with teenagers.

When kids do school all year, spending so much of their lives with their peers, and learning, in school it’s hard to transition to the potential boredom of the summer season.

It often doesn’t take long before kids say those dreaded words, “I’m bored”.

So what can you do?

This list goes through some fun summer outdoor activities, indoor activities, and home camp ideas to keep them more active and less bored.

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Summer Activities for Kids

In this article, you’ll find 50 outdoor summer activity ideas for kids, 50 indoor activity ideas for kids, and 50 home camping ideas for kids!

These ideas will help your kids keep mentally and physically busy and active, cutting back on the boredom – or that’s the hope!

You’ll also see the highlighted 10 ideas from each category that I think are the best!

50 Outdoor Activities for Kids

Water balloon fight

Sidewalk chalk art

Nature scavenger hunt

Bicycle ride

Visit a local park

Build a sandcastle at the beach

Fly a kite

Play tag or hide and seek

Have a picnic in the backyard

Play mini-golf

Plant a small garden

Go on a nature walk and identify plants and animals

Have a BBQ or cookout

Play frisbee or catch

Go fishing

Set up a lemonade stand

Go on a hike

Play in a sprinkler or water slide

Build a fort or treehouse

Have a treasure hunt

Play soccer or basketball

Go camping in the backyard

Have a bonfire and roast marshmallows

Visit a zoo or petting farm

Stargaze and identify constellations

Visit a water park or splash pad

Go on a boat ride or paddleboat

Have a nature photo scavenger hunt

Go fruit picking at a local orchard

Play beach volleyball

Have a sandcastle-building competition

Go horseback riding

Try rock climbing or bouldering

Go on a bike trail or mountain biking

Play mini-basketball or mini-tennis

Have a family field day with various outdoor games

Try geocaching in your local area

Go on a kayaking or canoeing adventure

Have a family bike ride in the countryside

Go on a photography expedition and capture nature’s beauty

Try stand-up paddleboarding

Go on a sunset hike

Have a picnic by a lake or river

Go on a wildlife spotting adventure

Try birdwatching in your backyard or local park

Go on a beachcombing adventure to find shells and sea glass

Have a watercolor painting session outdoors

Try rollerblading or skateboarding in a safe area

Play outdoor games like tug-of-war or sack race

Go on a camping trip and explore the great outdoors together

Top 10 Outdoor Ideas

Fly a kite

Have a picnic in the backyard

Play mini-golf

Plant a small garden

Go fishing

Go on a hike

Set up a lemonade stand

Play in a sprinkler or water slide

Build a fort or treehouse

Stargaze and identify constellations

50 Indoor Activities for Kids

Indoor camping with tents and sleeping bags

Movie marathon with popcorn

Arts and crafts session

Build a blanket fort

Indoor obstacle course

Bake cookies or cupcakes

Have a dance party

Play board games or card games

Indoor scavenger hunt

Create DIY slime or playdough

Make homemade pizzas

Have a science experiment day

Build with LEGO or other building blocks

Create a scrapbook of summer memories

Paint rocks or pottery

Host a talent show

Do yoga or exercise together

Make homemade ice cream

Have a puppet show

Make tie-dye shirts

Decorate t-shirts or tote bags

Learn to cook a new recipe

Have a karaoke session

Indoor gardening with small plants

Do a puzzle or Sudoku challenge

Indoor treasure hunt with clues

Create a DIY mini-golf course indoors

Make homemade lemonade or fruit smoothies

Have a fashion show with dress-up clothes

Learn a new indoor sport like table tennis or badminton

Have a DIY spa day with facemasks and nail painting

Create homemade musical instruments and have a band performance

Build a model airplane or car kit

Have a storytelling session with books or improvised stories

Make paper airplanes and have a flying contest

Create a DIY indoor picnic with picnic foods and blankets

Have a magic show with simple magic tricks

Host an indoor picnic with sandwiches and snacks

Create a time capsule to open next summer

Make friendship bracelets or other DIY jewelry

Have a photo scavenger hunt indoors

Create DIY sensory bottles with glitter and water

Have a themed costume day and put on a play or skit

Build a LEGO city or village

Make paper crafts like origami or paper flowers

Have a baking competition with family members

Create DIY binoculars and go birdwatching from indoors

Have a DIY puppet theater with sock puppets

Make homemade popsicles or ice lollies

Have a virtual field trip to museums or zoos online

Top 10 Indoor Ideas

Have a karaoke session

Indoor gardening with small plants

Have a fashion show with dress-up clothes

Create a time capsule to open next summer

Have a themed costume day and put on a play or skit

Have a DIY puppet theater with sock puppets

Create a scrapbook of summer memories

Create DIY slime or playdough

Build a blanket fort

Indoor obstacle course

25 Indoor Camping Ideas

Set up a tent or create a fort using blankets and pillows in the living room.

Use sleeping bags or blankets for sleeping arrangements.

Create a “campfire” with LED candles or a fake fire pit (if safe).

Bring camping-themed books for bedtime stories.

Have a pretend fishing game with magnetic fishing rods and fish.

Make s’mores in the microwave or oven.

Have a picnic dinner on a blanket.

Play camping-themed board games or card games.

Use a flashlight for storytelling or shadow puppets.

Listen to nature sounds or camping-themed music.

Have a stargazing session using a constellation projector or mobile app.

Set up a DIY “camping kitchen” for cooking simple meals.

Make camp-themed crafts like nature collages or leaf rubbings.

Create a scavenger hunt with camping-related items to find around the house.

Do some stargazing and learn about different constellations.

Make DIY binoculars using toilet paper rolls.

Have a sing-along with acoustic instruments or karaoke.

Set up a bird feeder outside the window and do some birdwatching.

Create a DIY nature journal and draw or write about indoor adventures.

Play a game of “campfire charades” with camping-related words and actions.

Do a camping-themed yoga session.

Have a “campfire” storytelling session with each person contributing a story.

Set up a DIY “campsite” with a pretend fire pit and camping chairs.

Use glow-in-the-dark stars to decorate the “night sky” indoors.

Make DIY trail mix with nuts, dried fruits, and chocolate chips.

Top 5 Indoor Camping Ideas

Make camp-themed crafts like nature collages or leaf rubbings.

Create a scavenger hunt with camping-related items to find around the house.

Make DIY binoculars using toilet paper rolls.

Have a picnic dinner on a blanket.

Set up a DIY “campsite” with a pretend fire pit and camping chairs.

25 Outdoor Camping Ideas

Set up a tent in the backyard for a real camping experience.

Bring out sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets for a cozy night under the stars.

Make a real campfire (if permitted and safe) and roast marshmallows for s’mores.

Have a BBQ or cookout with hot dogs, burgers, and grilled veggies.

Play outdoor games like capture the flag or flashlight tag.

Go on a backyard scavenger hunt and explore nature.

Set up a telescope for some backyard stargazing.

Pitch tents in different parts of the yard for a “campground” feel.

Set up a hammock or outdoor lounge area for relaxation.

Tell spooky stories around the campfire.

Set up a projector and have an outdoor movie night.

Play camping-themed charades or Pictionary.

Have a DIY obstacle course or relay race.

Go on a nature walk around the neighborhood or nearby park.

Play flashlight tag or hide-and-seek in the dark.

Have a “campfire” sing-along with acoustic instruments or a guitar.

Make DIY nature art using items found in the backyard.

Have a DIY tie-dye session with old t-shirts.

Set up a DIY outdoor kitchen for cooking over a camp stove or grill.

Make friendship bracelets or other camp crafts outdoors.

Play outdoor sports like soccer, basketball, or frisbee.

Set up a tent under a tree for some shade during the day.

Have a nature-themed photo scavenger hunt around the yard.

Wake up early to watch the sunrise and listen to the morning birdsong.

Top 5 Outdoor Camping Ideas

Pitch tents in different parts of the yard for a “campground” feel.

Tell spooky stories around the campfire.

Set up a projector and have an outdoor movie night.

Have a DIY obstacle course or relay race.

Make friendship bracelets or other camp crafts outdoors.

Summer Activities Wrap-Up

Summer offers a boundless canvas for children to explore, create, and cherish lasting memories.

From the joyous laughter of a water balloon fight to the serene tranquility of stargazing under the night sky, the season beckons with endless possibilities for adventure and discovery.

Whether indoors or outdoors, at home or in nature, there’s a myriad of activities to captivate young minds and foster their curiosity.

By engaging in a diverse range of activities, children can develop essential skills, cultivate their imaginations, and deepen their connections with the world around them.

Summer is not just a season; it’s a vibrant tapestry of experiences waiting to be woven.

So, let’s encourage our children to embrace the warmth of the sun, the beauty of nature, and the joy of shared moments, making this summer a time they’ll treasure forever.

Let the adventures begin!

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