Parenting resources
110 Activities for Kids
After keeping your kids busy indoors for the past few months, it is time to find fun ways to spend the end of summer. We have created a comprehensive list of activities that can cure boredom and keep little minds working until fall rolls around.
After keeping your kids busy indoors for the past few months, it is time to find fun ways to spend their summer vacation. We have created a comprehensive list of activities that can cure boredom and keep little minds working all summer long.
We have organized our activities into a few different categories, so you can find the right one no matter what kind of activity your kids are in the mood to do.
Rainy Day Activities
Things you can do if the weather is raining (pun intended) on your parade. Indoor games and events that your family can do from the comfort of your home.
- Build a cardboard castle
- Learn Origami
- Have a movie marathon in pajamas
- Learn a dance routine
- Work on a puzzle
- Try yoga
- Start a board game tournament
- Rearrange your room
Fun Games for Toddlers
Activities that your little ones can participate in and enjoy.
- Blow bubbles
- Build a block tower
- Finger painting
- Create a water table or sensory bin
- Play I Spy
- Dance Party
- Frozen Paint
Free Activities
Check out some no-cost games and adventures for those looking to stay on budget.
Outdoor Fun
Make the most of the nice weather and get outside with the kids. These easy activities can be done in your yard, in a nearby park, or whatever landscapes your area has to offer.
- Bike Ride
- Go on a hike
- Wash the car
- Learn to play frisbee golf
- Sidewalk Chalk
- Go berry picking
- Walk the dog (or your friend’s dog)
- Have a picnic
- Plant a flower
- Fly a Kite
- Collect rocks or seashells
- Go to a park
- Stargaze
- Invent a new ball game
Whole-Family
These games and activities are for the entire family and even some friends or neighbors!
- Play charades
- Go to the beach
- Have a Themed BBQ
- Host a talent show
- Cheer on a sports team
- Go Bowling
- Watch an outdoor movie
- Volunteer
- Create a family time capsule
- Have a family Olympics
Crafts
Get creative and encourage your children to use their imaginations by giving them the materials to do these crafts. Some basic online tutorials or inspiration can help them come up with ways to make something amazing.
Independent Activities
These ideas are for the times when parents need to answer a phone call or prep something important. Your kids can safely tackle these activities by themselves, and they will keep themselves entertained.
- Plan a concert or a play
- Write a letter to a friend or family member
- Color or ABC scavenger hunt
- Have a fashion show
- Trace shadows from toys
- Write a journal
- Take photos of nature
- Learn a magic trick
Water
The best way to cool down in the summertime is to get water involved! From sprinklers to slip-n-slides, your little ones can splash around and enjoy!
- Have a water balloon fight
- Set up a slip and slide
- Go swimming
- Go Canoeing or kayaking
- Look for frogs at a creek
- Catch minnows in a stream
- Run through the sprinkler
In the Kitchen
Encouraging your kids to learn new skills in the kitchen will benefit your whole family. Not only can they learn a new recipe, but they can practice their math and measuring skills along the way.
Get Out of the House
Here are suggestions on where to go when it is time to get out of the house and explore a new space. By venturing out and visiting new places, you can introduce different activities and lessons to your kids.
- Mini Golfing
- Go to a museum
- Watch a movie at the theater
- Go to an aquarium
- Visit a famous landmark near you
- Go rock climbing
- Participate in a free local workshop
Weekend Fun
These weekend activities take a little more time to accomplish, so spend your Saturday embarking on a new adventure or taking a short trip.
- Go Camping
- Have a bonfire
- Volunteer to clean up a park or beach
- Drive to a new town
- Try Geocaching
- Attend a local concert or event
- Donate items in your home
- Have a family spa-day
Educational Activities
By using fun science experiments and creative resources that you have around the house, you can introduce new ideas to your kids. They might not even realize that they are discovering new things along the way.
- Go to the library
- Do a science experiment
- Learn to fix something
- Create something with Legos
- Complete a different chore
- Make slime
- Watch a documentary
- Write and draw a comic book
- Have a paper plane competition
- Learn a new skill from a how-to video
