Summertime – a season filled with endless possibilities for fun and adventure. From lazy days at the beach to adventurous camping trips, there’s no shortage of things to do during the summer. But it wasn’t until I became a parent and my little one started school that I realized how much I looked forward to summer break and planning fun things to do in the summer with a summer checklist. For just a few months, no more early mornings of getting ready for school, sitting in the carpool line, and planning the next playdate with a school friend. The summer months are all about spending time with family and good friends.
With summer just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about all the fun summertime activities and adventures your kids will get into. I’m sharing my summer checklist for kids from outdoor adventure to summer learning activities that will hopefully have them saying “I’m bored” a lot less and “This is the best summer ever!” a little bit more.
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Things For Kids To Do In The Summer With Friends and Family
1. Have a backyard barbecue.
2. Go on a nature hike.
3. Have a water balloon fight.
4. Visit a local amusement park.
5. Build a sandcastle at the beach.
6. Have a movie marathon sleepover.
7. Host a lemonade stand.
8. Play mini-golf.
9. Go camping in the backyard.
10. Visit a local farmer’s market.
11. Have a picnic in the park.
12. Go berry picking at a farm.
13. Have an outdoor scavenger hunt.
14. Visit a zoo or aquarium.
15. Attend an outdoor concert or festival.
16. Go on a bike ride around the neighborhood.
17. Have a DIY tie-dye party.
18. Play frisbee golf at the park.
19. Have a game night with friends and family.
20. Make homemade ice cream sundaes.
21. Build and race homemade boats in the pool.
22. Create sidewalk chalk masterpieces.
23. Host an outdoor dance party.
24. Play Capture the Flag in the neighborhood.
25. Go paddle boarding or kayaking on a nearby lake or river.
Related: Interactive 4-Year-Old Chore Chart
Don’t want to give your email? No worries you can purchase the summer schedule here.
Keeping Kids Organized and Engaged During the Summer Months
As the lazy days of summer approach, it can be tempting to let kids run wild and free which doesn’t sound bad right? But a little bit of organization isn’t too bad either.
First and foremost, staying organized helps establish a routine that can prevent chaos. Taking advantage of the summer months and engaging kids in activities to do in the summer provides opportunities for learning and growth. Whether it’s trying out a new sport or attending a summer camp, kids can gain new interests.
Related: Printable Kids’ Daily Checklist To Help Boost Independence
Summer Checklist
A summer checklist for the outdoors, some educational ideas, volunteering, crafts and some good ole family time.
Here are some fun outdoor activities that your little ones can enjoy during the sunny days ahead:
- Outdoors
1. Swimming: Whether it’s at a local pool, a nearby lake, or even just in your backyard kiddie pool.
2. Hiking: Take advantage of the warm weather by going on a family hike through a nearby park or trail. Nature Bingo is a great way for kids to explore nature and spot wildlife.
3. Picnics: Pack up some sandwiches, snacks, and drinks and head to a local park for a picnic lunch with the family. Spread out a blanket and play some games.
4. Bike riding: Get some exercise in. Grab the bikes and take the kids out for a ride around the neighborhood.
5. Nature scavenger hunt: Create a list of items like pinecones, different leaves, flowers, rocks, etc., that kids can find while exploring outdoors.
6. Camping in the backyard: Set up tents in your backyard for an easy camping experience close to home. Make some s’mores over a fire pit and then snuggle up in sleeping bags for the night.
Summer is the perfect time for kids to get outside and enjoy all that nature has to offer!
- Education
Now let’s talk about fun summer activities to keep kids engaged to prevent summer learning loss. Because there’s nothing worse than kids working hard all school year long only to return to school and have forgotten half of what they learned.
1. Reading Challenge: Encourage kids to read a certain number of books over the summer. You can even create a reading log or chart to track their progress and offer prizes for reaching.
2. Science Experiments: Get hands-on with some science experiments. From making slime to building a volcano, the possibilities are endless.
3. Math Games: Turn math into a game. It can be as simple as incorporating math problems into everyday activities like cooking or grocery shopping. Or using math printables and skip-counting flashcards.
4. Writing Prompts: Keep those writing skills sharp by providing daily writing prompts for your child to respond to. This could be anything from journaling about their day to creating short stories or poems. Creativity prompts are something the whole family can do when you’re thinking about stuff to do in the summer.
- Arts & Crafts
Here are a few suggestions for arts and crafts or DIY projects that will hopefully spark their creativity and imagination.
1. Create a DIY mini garden: Gather some small pots, soil, seeds, and decorative pebbles or rocks. Let your kids plant their favorite flowers or herbs in the pots, decorate them with colorful paints, and create a cute little garden to display in their room. Or do a printable garden craft.
2. Make homemade slime: Mix glue, water, and liquid starch to create a gooey substance that kids love to play with. Add food coloring or glitter for a little extra sparkle.
3. Create handprint art: Use washable paint to make colorful handprints on paper or canvas. Turn these prints into animals (like butterflies or birds).
There are no rules when it comes to art!
- Giving back to the community
Here is a list of community service opportunities that kids can participate in during the summer:
1. Volunteer at a local food pantry or soup kitchen: Help serve meals to those in need.
2. Participate in a neighborhood clean-up day: Get together with friends and family to pick up litter and beautify your community.
3. Volunteer at an animal shelter: Spend time playing with and caring for animals who are waiting for their forever homes.
4. Join a youth-led environmental organization: Get involved in projects like tree planting, recycling initiatives, or beach clean-ups.
5. Help at a local library or literacy program.
These are just a few examples of how kids can get involved in meaningful ways this summer.
- Family Time
1. Beach day: Spend a day at the beach building sandcastles, swimming in the ocean, and soaking up the sun.
2. Visit a local farmers’ market: Support local farmers and artisans by visiting a farmers’ market as a family. Sample fresh produce, browse handmade goods, and maybe even pick up some treats for later.
No matter which activity you choose, spending quality time together as a family during the summer is what it’s all about!
Related: Creative Summer Preschool Worksheets
As you can see, there are so many exciting things to do during the summer that will keep your kids entertained and active. From outdoor adventures to creative activities, this summer checklist has something for everyone to enjoy. So get out there and make the most of the sunny days ahead – before you know it, school will be back in session!
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