40+ Cool Summer Kids Activities for Home or Out & About

A list of summer kid’s activities that will keep kids from getting bored this summer. Whether you are looking for fun things to do in summer at home, or out and about, these cool kid’s activities will surely be a hit.

Summer Kids Activities that Families will Love

Summer is on its way! You are probably racking your brain for some fun summer kid’s activities to do during the warmer months.

Well, keep the kids from getting bored with this huge list of fun things to do in summer at home, or out and about.

Here we include lots of summer activities for families, but also various summer kid’s activities they can do independently as well, or with their friends.

If you are working at home or around the house, many of these summer activities are great to keep your kids occupied while you are busy.

40 Summer Activities for Kids

Find below 40 cool summer kid’s activities and have a blast this summer.

Find below:

• Summer activities for kids at home
• Summer activities for kids out & about

Summer Kids Activities at home

These fun summer kid’s activities are lots of fun and can be enjoyed by the whole family. Don’t let the kids have all the fun this summer, join in the Summer fun too!

1. Rock painting

Painting rocks is an old-time favourite summer kid’s activity that can be done at home. You can collect some rocks, or purchase them at your local hardware store or shopping centre. Get creative making tiny creations and telling stories with them. If you don’t have paint, make your own with this recipe

2. Scavenger hunt

One of our favourite summer kid’s activities is a good old scavenger hunt. Use these printable backyard and nature scavenger hunt lists or save them on your phone and go hunting for items in your backyard or garden. You can even use them on your family summer walks too.

3. Make ice-cream

Every kid loves ice-cream. Instead of buying it, making ice-cream is a great activity to do in the summer with your kids. Get creative with different flavours. A great icecream tasting is one of our favourite summer activities to do at home. Find some fun recipes here.

4. Have a backyard picnic

A backyard picnic is always fun in summer. Put out a picnic mat under a tree, put your hats on, make a grazing platter or create a plate of your favourite picnic food. It is also a great way to spend family time together disconnected from devices too.

5. Chalk murals

Get back to basics creating chalk murals on the footpath or on the fence outside. Do you remember doing things like this when you were a kid? Chalk murals are a fantastic summer kid’s activity because once they are done, the chalk comes straight off with some water and they can start again the next day. No messs!

6. Make a bird feeder

Have birds frequently in your yard, or want to attract them? Make a bird feeder! All you need is some pine cones covered in peanut butter and rolled in bird seed. Hang them up on your fence or under your patio and wait for the birds to come. Such a fun summer activity for kids who love animals and birds.

7. Plant a Herb or Veggie Garden

Summer gardening is great fun and it teaches kids responsibility too. There are some really easy herbs and veggies that you can grow with your kids, that you can eventually eat and cook with too. Check out our post on easy vegetables to grow for kids.

8. Make playdough creations with nature

Playdough is great for any age anywhere, but in summer get creative outside with nature. Collect sticks and leaves and make playdough faces, animals, and trees. It can be so much fun for all ages. Make your own with this recipe> Best playdough recipe ever.

9. Make fairy houses in the garden

Dress up your garden with a fun fairy house for the kids this summer. You can buy a range of fairy houses online but most of the things you need can be found in your own yard. Old tree trunks, or an old tile for the base. Some branches or small twigs for the sides. Rocks and stones are great for paths and driveways. Dried flowers, leaves are great for decoration. Spray it with some wood glue and cover in some glitter to make it sparkle!

10. Science experiments

If you are a parent who hates making mess in the house, then science experiments are a great summer activity for kids because you can do them outside. Less mess and ore fun. Check out our post on Simple Science Experiments for Kids with videos and instructions.

11. Water Jump rope

One of the easiest summer kids activities to set up is a water jump rope. All you need is a large skipping rope and some water. Dip the rope in the water, 2 people on the ends hold and spin the rope while the person in the middle jumps. Do this on a warm summer day and cool off skipping.

12. Water pistol painting

A fun summer kid’s activity they will love is water gun painting. Set up some paper on an easel, or if you don’t have one, you can either place paper on the grass or against the fence. Fill up a small water pistols with diluted paint, and start squirting. You can really get as creative as you like and it is an awesome activity for kids in summer.

13. Ice smashing

This summer kids activity only needs a little preparation. Fill a large container a few inches thick with water, (You can also use large zip lock bags) and freeze overnight. When you are ready take it out of the bag and you should have a huge chunk of ice. Give the kids a hammer each and let them start smashing.

14. Slip n slide

You may have a slip and slide already, but if not, you can make one yourself if you have a long sheet of plastic, and a blow up kickboard. Place the plastic on the grass or soft area (NOT concrete). Squirt some body wash or bath bubbles onto the plastic, and then spray water onto it making it wet. One person continues to spray the plastic while the others run and slide.

15. Make a water balloon pinata

If you’re looking for a summer kids activity that will really cool everyone off quickly, have fun with water Balloon Piñatas. You can easily do this yourself at home either on the clothes line or a piece of long string or rope tied to some strong branches.. Simply fill up some water balloons, or any balloons really and tie them from the rope. Have the kids collect some sticks or bats to hit the balloons and take turns at swinging to hit the piñata until it bursts. This is a great summer kids activity for birthdays, everyone loves playing with water balloons in the hot weather.

16. Hopscotch

An oldie but a goodie. All you need is some chalk and a stone or rock. Draw your hopscotch on the concrete in your yard or out on the footpath. Take turns in throwing your rock down on one of the squares, and jump your way through. This summer kids activity can keep the kids occupied independently for hours.

17. Make a Lemonade Stand

Have a lemon tree in the yard or lots of lemons? Why not make some lemonade and host a lemonade stand.

All you need is: 10 large lemons, 1 cup sugar, 6 cups water, Ice, Lemon slices, for serving.

Cut the lemons and squeeze the juice into a bowl. Pour through a strainer to remove the seeds. Then add the sugar and water and stir until dissolved. Chill in the fridge until ready and then serve with ice a piece of lemon, and mint if you have it.

Set the kids out front and tell your friends and neighbours to come by for some fresh lemonade.

18. Sprinkler fun

Another good old summer kids activity that is easy to set up is running around in the sprinkler. Kids can make up their own games and cool off in the backyard. Don’t have a sprinkler? A simple hose will do. One child holding it, the other running through, so easy and so much fun!

19. Sponge targets

Cool off from the heat playing sponge targets. This kids summer activity is sure to be a hit with the kids. Setting up a target is easy, it can be a large piece of material, or even drawing a target on ground. Get a bucket and fill it with sponges. See who can hit the middle of the target with the sponges.

20. Backyard camping

Summer is the best time for backyard camping. You can use a camping tent, or even a beach tent if you have one that closes and has ventilation. Set the kids up with blankets, pillows, and torches, or have a family camp out together. It is a great summer activity for those nights when it is mild outside and you can stargaze.

21. Outdoor Painting

Outdoor painting is always a hit, and it makes cleaning up so much easier. Set the kids up on the grass with some paper and paints and let them go for it. Finger painting, hand painting, or for older ones, painting with brushes. Once they are finished hose them off or pop them straight in the bath.

22. Make a mud kitchen

This is a great summer sensory activity for little ones. If you have a mud kitchen at home, great. If not, make your own using containers. Fill some containers with mud or dirt, water and things from the garden such as twigs, stones, rocks, grass etc. Kids can great their own mud pies or other creations.

23. Create shadow drawings

Shadow drawings has to be one of the easiest summer kids activities. All you need is some of your child’s favourite toys and the sun shining. Set your paper up with your toys above the paper so that the shadow goes onto the paper. Then start tracing. This summer kids activity works great if you have animals or dinosaurs.

24. Stargaze

Summer nights are great for stargazing. Set yourselves up with blankets or towels in the yard and when it gets dark lay together and stargaze. You will be surprised at how the time passes while you are gazing up to the stars, looking for constellations or making shapes out of the stars. If you have a telescope, you can get that out too for a closer look.

Find more ideas to do at home in our main post: Kids activities to do at home

Summer Kids Activities Out & About

Here are some fun summer kid’s activities to do out and about in your local town or for a day trip.

25. Family bike rides

Summer bike rides with kids are always fun. It could be around your neighbourhood, or if you can get to a good bike trail, even better. Head out early in the morning, or later in the evening so it isn’t too hot, and don’t forget to bring water.

26. Summer festival or concert

Check out your local what’s on guides to see what summer festivals and concerts are on in your area as there are sure to be some fun kids events. Many parks host free movie nights, or holiday concerts, and some you may have to pay for. Summer events are always a hit and make a great day or night out with the family.

27. Beach day

Summer time wouldn’t be the same without a few beach days. Check out your local beaches, or you may have a lake nearby. Get your beach tent and towels ready and head out for a play on the sand or swim in the water.

28. Visit the local farmer’s market

Farmer’s markets sell a lot of delicious fresh produce, especially during the summer. Check out your local what’s on guide to see where your nearest farmer’s market is and take the kids. They will love trying out and choosing fresh fruit and veggies, eggs, meats, cheeses and more.

29. Feed the ducks at the local river or lake

An easy summer activity for kids is heading to your local lake or river and feeding the ducks. Actually you can do this all year round, however it is better when the weather is nice. Careful not to feed them too much bread, instead try some lettuce leaves or some green veggies.

30. Go fishing

Fishing is a classic summer kids activity for the whole family.If you live by a beach with a peer this is a popular spot to fish. Otherwise a lake or even a river. You could hire a boat or take a fishing tour together.

31. Head to the drive in

Rather than a movie night at home, or heading to the cinema, do something different and head to the drive in this summer with the kids. Bring some popcorn, snacks and drinks and you are all set.

32. Find a local park with water play

Water play is the perfect kids activity in summer. If you have had enough of being at home, check out your local water play park or playground. Many parks have jets and sprinklers that turn on during the summer months. Some have water pumps in the sand pits.

33. Local carnival

When the weather starts warming up, there is usually a carnival coming to town. It may be the circus, or a local carnival with rides and kids activities. Check out your local what’s on guide to see what is on in your area.

34. Take a hike

Head out for a family walk or hike. Find a trail that suits the ages of your kids and set out for the day. Bring a backpack with lots of water and snacks. Read more HIKING WITH KIDS TIPS.

35. Visit a water park

Have a water park nearby? Head out for the day and cool off on the waterslides or in the pool.

36. Fly a kite at the local park

Kite flying is a classic summer activity for kids and can keep the whole family entertained for hours. You will need some wind for this one, so a calm day won’t work. But have your kites ready to go and when the wind strikes head out to the park or local footy oval and start flying your kites.

37. Go camping

Camping is a fun summer activity for families that you can all enjoy together. You can do this at home in your backyard, or head out in the countryside or to a holiday park. Make a campfire in the night and roast marshmallows, the kids will love it.

38. Visit the zoo

The zoo is always a fun kids activity in summer, and some like the Werribee Zoo, have water activities to help the kids cool off. Watch the animals lay around in the sun, have a picnic and spend the day together.

39. Have a splash at the pool

If you have a pool at home, great, if not head to your local pool to cool off. Have a splash and play or give the kids some swimming lessons.

40. Take a day trip

Summer is a great time to head out for the day as a family. Is there somewhere you have been wanting to go but haven’t had the chance? Get the car all packed up and take a day trip. Head out early before it gets too hot, and plan your day around the weather. Finish it off watching the sun set somewhere nice having some ice-cream.

More Kids Activities?

Hopefully this list of summer kids activities to do at home or out and about has given you some inspiration. Looking for more activities for kids in summer? Check out the following posts:

• 50 Kids activities to do at home
• 10 Backyard activities for kids
• Sensory Activities for kids
• Montessori Activities for kids

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