Summer break means school’s out for kids, but that also means parents need to find ways to keep them learning, engaged, and entertained. Coming up with fun new activities that don’t involve screens can be challenging. That’s why I’ve put together this list of 20 creative ideas to keep your kids active and learning all summer long!

  1. Backyard Camping – Pitch a tent and have an outdoor adventure without leaving home. Roast marshmallows, tell stories, and sleep under the stars. 
  2. Sidewalk Art – Break out the chalk and let kids create colorful masterpieces on the driveway or sidewalk. They can draw anything they imagine.
  3. DIY Sprinkler Park – Make your own sprinkler park using hose attachments and water toys. Slip n’ slides and water blasters add extra fun.
  4. Nature Scavenger Hunt – Create lists of natural items for kids to hunt for outside like pinecones, rocks, flowers, etc. See who can find everything first.
  5. Paper Airplane Contest – Fold and fly paper airplanes, experimenting with different designs to see whose can go the farthest. Hold a tournament for extra fun.
  6. Backyard Olympics – Make up your own Olympics with competitions like relay races, long jumps, Frisbee tosses, or Hula Hoop contests. Award creative medals.
  7. Sidewalk Chalk Painting – Let kids use chalk “paint” to create colorful pictures on the sidewalk or driveway. They can really unleash their creativity. Sidewalk chalk pain is basically a way to take chalk and mix it into a liquid paint. More details on this great website here.
  8. Obstacle Course – Using household items like cones, hula hoops, and pool noodles, set up a fun backyard obstacle course for kids to race through.
  9. Nature Jewelry – Go on a nature walk and collect leaves, flowers, acorns, and pebbles. Then use them to create necklaces, bracelets or other fun nature-themed jewelry.
  10. Cardboard Box Fort – Provide large cardboard boxes and art supplies, then let kids build and decorate their dream fort. Great for rainy days.
  11. Science Experiments – Help kids explore science with simple experiments using household items, like baking soda and vinegar “volcanoes” or balloon rockets. 
  12. Cupcake/Cookie Decorating – Kids can flex their creative muscles decorating tasty treats. Hold a contest for the most creative designs.
  13. Water Bead Sensory Play – These super absorbent beads are fun for little hands to play with. Add some scoops and cups for extra building fun.
  14. Backyard Car Wash – Kids can soap up their bikes, parents’ cars or even the dog with a backyard car wash. Provide towels, brushes, and safe soaps.
  15. Photo Scavenger Hunt – Give kids a disposable camera or your phone and a list of things to photograph, like shapes in nature, interesting textures, etc.
  16. Nintendo Labo Creations – These DIY cardboard kits allow kids to design interactive toys using Nintendo Switch technology.
  17. Sidewalk Suncatchers – Arrange pieces of colored tissue paper under contact paper taped to the sidewalk. Peel it up when dry for a suncatcher. 
  18. Water Bottle Bowling Pins – Recycle empty water bottles and use them as bowling pins for an afternoon of backyard bowling fun. 
  19. Bug Hunting – Provide bug catchers and magnifying glasses for up close inspection of insects they find outside. Have ID guides handy.
  20. Garden Makeovers – Let kids get their hands dirty designing their own garden space with seeds and kid gardening tools. Take before and after pics of their creations.

The possibilities really are endless when it comes to keeping kids engaged and having fun during summer break. Get creative with activities that match your child’s interests and let their imaginations soar! Wishing you a summer full of learning and adventure.