These are the Top 10: Summer Activities for Kiddos. These outdoor activities are super fun, easy, low maintenance and can be coupled with water play for some extra fun. With the summer months rolling in (and the home schooling coming to a close), the kiddos are going to need a little entertaining. I hope you find a little inspiration in these activities and stay cool in the summer heat.
- Scavenger Look and Find
For the most part, scavenger hunts come with a lot of work. That’s why this scavenger hunt is more of a ‘Look and Find’ activity where you can create a list of things already outdoors for your kiddos to hunt for. If you make a list of things like ‘tall tree’ and ‘flat rock’, your kiddos will still enjoy the scavenger hunt, without the extra work for you. So, create a little hunt made up of outdoor objects and watch your kiddo identify them!
If you’re having trouble thinking of ideas for your lists, check out Pinterest for some extra inspo! There are plenty of examples, and even some free printables, that you can use like the one I’ve linked below!
2. Rock Painting
A classic activity to keep any kiddo entertained (for at least a consecutive ten minutes) is rock painting. This activity is a double threat because half has to do with finding a rock to paint. Once your kiddo has located the perfect rock, encourage them to paint it with bright colours! Some kiddos choose specific designs or shapes, others go for more of an abstract look. Whichever the case, painted rocks make for excellent garden décor!
If your kiddo is a little stuck in terms of design, check out the link below for a bit of inspiration!
Example: https://www.ilovepaintedrocks.com/2017/10/best-easy-rock-painting-projects-tutorials-beginners.html
3. Sidewalk Chalk
A great activity to encourage your kiddo’s creativity is sidewalk chalk. Although some kiddos might think it’s a little on the boring side, I would encourage you to add in other things to make it a little more fun! Try creating stencils out of old cardboard or dipping the chalk in a little water to really make the colour pop! Encourage your kiddo to design villages with cars and schools! Or trace each other out and create fancy outfits on your shape!
For a little extra pizzazz, try out the recipe linked below for Sidewalk Chalk Paint! It’s a super fun twist on a summertime classic.
Chalk Paint: https://livingwellmom.com/diy-sidewalk-chalk-paint-kids/
4. Car Wash
Although the idea of having your kiddo ‘wash’ your car sounds more like extra work than pretend play, I would suggest a different take on the activity. If your kiddo has some sort of pretend car, bike or something with wheels, grab the dish soap and a rag and watch them have an absolute blast! For some extra fun, bring out the hose or even the sprinkler and make sure your kiddo is dressed in a swimsuit or at least something that can get wet! This one can get a little messy!
Another great spin on this activity is to wash pretend cars or trucks that your kiddos play with indoors. Nothing like a good old Tonka Truck wash to keep your tiny humans occupied. Click the link below for some more information!
Truck Wash: https://busytoddler.com/2016/08/muddy-trucks-and-car-wash/
5. Goin’ on a Picnic
When in need, a snack outside is a cure indeed! I think it’s a pretty universal opinion that food tastes better outside. For kiddos, snacks and lunches outside is the definition of a great afternoon! So, pack up a bit of a lunch, grab a blanket and head out to the backyard or even to the front yard if you’re feeling a little more adventurous. I’m sure a little outdoor dining will keep your kiddos entertained.
If you need a little inspiration for what snacks and meals are great for outdoors in terms of easy assembly and cleanup, check out the link below!
Examples: https://www.myfussyeater.com/25-of-the-best-picnic-food-ideas-for-kids/
6. Bug Huntin’
Although creepy critters might not be the most appealing to us grownups, exploring their habits and identifying their differences is a lot of fun for kiddos! Grab a couple of garden shovels and maybe a bug net and have your kiddo be on the lookout for anything from ants and worms to caterpillars and butterflies! To encourage your kiddo’s thinking, ask questions about the colour of the critter and, if it has wings and legs, how many does it have?
For some really great (and relatively inexpensive) kiddo bug catching equipment, check out your local dollar store or amazon!
7. Dance Party
What’s more fun than some good music and a summer afternoon? Not much. If the weather is good and the tunes are flowin’, grab your kiddo and head out to the backyard for some dance party fun! For some extra entertainment, pullout the sprinkler or some bubbles! If it’s dark out, glowsticks are also a fun addition!
For some playlist ideas, check out the link below. All of the song suggested are family friendly and will be sure to get you dancing!
8. Gardening
Kiddos love helping out their parents. It’s in their nature to try and make you proud. So, when they see you doing something, they immediately want to help out. The next time you need to water the grass or put some new soil in the garden, ask your kiddo if they’d like to join. Allowing them to get their hands dirty and do ‘grown up’ things will make them extremely excited to spend time with you!
Check out the link below for some ideas on how to implement easy gardening for your kiddos!
Examples: http://rainorshinemamma.com/egg-carton-seed-starter-for-kids/
9. Flying Kites/Paper Airplanes
On a windy day, there is no better activity than flying a kite or a paper airplane. If you have the space nearby for a good kite flying session, that’s great! Take your kiddo to an open area and teach them just how cool it is to fly kites. If not, adapting this activity is easy! Have your kiddo make different paper airplanes and maybe even colour on them for some extra razzle dazzle. Then, head out to the yard and fly them around. Encourage your kiddo to take not of which ones are faster or which ones go higher!
For some easy tips and tricks on how to make a great paper airplane, check out the link below.
10. Outdoor Forts
Forts are a fun activity inside and out. In the summer, forts outside can become camping trips or castles, lighthouses and treehouses. For your kiddos, outdoor forts take a fun rainy-day activity and make it into something of an adventure. So, bring out some old blankets and a couple of patio cushions if you have them and have your kiddos get creative. This turns into a really fun pretend play activity, and your kiddos will love it!
Check out the link below for a couple of tips on how to arrange forts in fun ways!
Examples: https://www.buzzfeed.com/twopoodles/toys-you-can-make-yourself?s=mobile
Stay-At-Home Schooling 