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# 101+ Summer Activities for Kids
- URL: https://www.ourfamilylifestyle.com/101-summer-activities-for-kids/
- Published: 2013-06-06T16:00:07.000Z
- Updated: 2026-01-19T11:15:39.000Z
- Description: Most of these summer activities for kids are affordable and require nothing more than a little creativity for plenty of fun at home.
- Author: Staci Salazar
- Tags: Summer, Activities for Kids, #disclaimer

[Summer](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/tag/summer/) is upon us and that means the kids are out of school and going to be coming to you looking for something to do. If they don't do that then you are one lucky parent!

I wanted to be prepared with a list of fun things to do with kids so I went on a hunt for [summer activities for kids](https://www.ourfamilylifestyle.com/101-summer-activities-for-kids/). I came up with a great list of games to play for my girls! Some do need my involvement – but that's even better.

I was particularly looking for outdoor activities for kids and games to play outside, but did happen upon a few indoor games as well.

After all, some summer days, especially here in [Texas](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/tag/texas/), can get downright hot.

![101 Summer Activities for Kids](https://storage.ghost.io/c/04/b6/04b60537-dad4-499b-b73c-0551021827f5/content/images/2026/01/101-summer-ideas-and-activities-for-kids-2.png)

So, when it's time for the kids to come in and cool down, they can still find ways to have fun.

Or, if they want to stay outside, grab the sunblock and take part in some [water activities](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/backyard-water-balloon-games/) for kids.

## Summer Activities

1. Family [field day](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/field-day-games-adults/)
2. Set up a [backyard carnival](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/carnival-themed-nerf-games/)
3. Put together a [time capsule](https://www.amazon.com/Aerospace-Technology-Capsule--Airtight-Waterproof/dp/B00CBL1IZM/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1453414096&sr=1-1&keywords=time+capsule&linkCode=ll1&tag=7onashoe-20&linkId=fc7fb9cf3697027df549e4ebf74261eb) and bury it
4. Create a summer bucket list
5. Make summer [luminaries](http://daysofadomesticdad.com/red-white-and-blue-tin-can-luminaries/)
6. Perform a random act of kindness
7. Go to a local splash park
8. Have a picnic
9. Take a neighbor a surprise
10. Family photo tree craft
11. Have a [fashion show](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/rainy-day-activities-for-kids/)
12. Go for a drive
13. Sandbox treasure hunt
14. Enjoy an [ice cream sandwich cake](https://www.ourfamilylifestyle.com/chocolate-ice-cream-sandwich-cake-recipe/)
15. Have a dance [party](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/outdoor-party-ideas/)
16. Attend a [car](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/tag/cars/) show
17. Record a fun [family video](http://www.youtube.com/user/7onashoestring)
18. [Sidewalk Chalk Games](https://www.ourfamilylifestyle.com/5-sidewalk-chalk-games/)
19. Play hopscotch
20. Go on a nature walk
21. Wash the cars
22. Start a backyard garden
23. Make a [cardboard city](https://daysofadomesticdad.com/cardboard-box-projects/)
24. Keep a summer [journal](https://www.amazon.com/Bullet-Journal-Notebook-Pen-Loop/dp/B076BSSRTP/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&qid=1519800630&sr=8-23&keywords=journal&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=7onashoe-20&linkId=e70588029b86a4305970b6132859a0fa)
25. [Family game night](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/when-friends-gather-deer-lord/)
26. [Q-Tip Painting](http://modernmomlife.com/simple-and-fun-q-tip-painting-for-kids/)
27. Shop at an outside market
28. Read a [book](https://www.amazon.com/Wonder-R-J-Palacio/dp/0375869026/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1519800876&sr=1-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=7onashoe-20&linkId=afceae8ca4aa611f3dd915fa84b00fc6)
29. Take a short [road trip](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/reasons-consider-rv-road-trip/)
30. Exercise together
31. [Paint a room](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/weekend-bathroom-makeover-for-less-than-150/)
32. Go geocaching
33. Have a [family movie night](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/movie-popcorn-cupcakes-family-movie-night/)
34. Write a song
35. Make [gooey slime](https://www.facebook.com/ourfamilylifestyle/videos/1589123924432147/)
36. Have a backyard [campout](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/otterbox-outdoor-gear/)
37. Study moon phases
38. [Alphabet adventure scavenger hunt](http://blog.playdrhutch.com/2012/07/16/an-alphabet-adventure-virtual-book-club-for-kids-july-2012/)
39. [Make your own ice cream](https://daysofadomesticdad.com/national-ice-cream-day-with-homemade-ice-cream/)
40. Sign up for a class at your local rec center
41. Attend Vacation Bible School
42. Make your own [galaxy playdough](https://daysofadomesticdad.com/diy-galaxy-playdough/)
43. Watch airplanes take off and land
44. Make homemade [freezer pops](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/frozen-desserts-summer/)
45. Get out and [discover your city](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/free-things-to-do-in-dallas-with-kids/)
46. Play [freeze tag](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/backyard-games-panasonic-lumix-g7/)
47. Find [local free events](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/dallas/) to attend
48. Backyard [mini golf](http://www.whitehouseblackshutters.com/backyard-mini-golf/)
49. Sing karaoke
50. Have fun with glow sticks
51. Create an [obstacle course](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/activities-for-children-backyard-olympics-summer/)
52. Go on a hike
53. Have a [water balloon launch](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/backyard-water-balloon-games/)
54. Host a tea party
55. Put on a puppet show
56. [Family talent show](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/family-talent-show-small-budget/)
57. Take a walk
58. Pick [wildflowers](https://crystalandcomp.com/summer-activities-for-kids-wildflower-picking/)
59. Have your own art class
60. Fly a kite
61. Build a fort
62. Play cards
63. Make your own magnets
64. [Play in a sprinkler](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/backyard-games-panasonic-lumix-g7/)
65. Go on a [bike](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/teach-child-ride-bike-schwinn-smartstart/) ride
66. Visit a local museum
67. Make [sponge balls](https://www.thesuburbanmom.com/2012/08/02/sponge-balls-summer-kids-craft/)
68. [Volunteer](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/humility-teaches-giving-heart/) as a family
69. Make a [volcano](https://www.themeasuredmom.com/make-your-own-volcano-sensory-fun-for-the-letter-v/)
70. Have a [lemonade stand](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/tips-successful-lemonade-stand/)
71. DIY [pasta beads](https://happyhooligans.ca/dye-pasta-easy-way/)
72. Go roller skating
73. Create a family scrapbook
74. Make [magic mud](http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/05/play-recipes-magic-mud.html)
75. Star gaze
76. Watch a [movie under the stars](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/camping-with-kids-zte-spro-2-att/)
77. Do weather experiments
78. Have a hula hoop contest
79. Spend the day crafting
80. [DIY Drive-In Movie](https://modernmomlife.com/crafting-with-cardboard-series-diy-kids-drive-in-movie-party/)
81. Jump rope
82. Go [fishing](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/reasons-to-take-your-family-fishing/)
83. [Make s'mores](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/hersheys-milk-chocolate/)
84. Enjoy a themed [staycation](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/summer-staycation-ideas-families/)
85. Repurpose t-shirts
86. Take a swim
87. Bake cookies
88. [Frozen watercolors](https://dukesandduchesses.com/very-messy-watercolors/)
89. Host a [BBQ](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/independence-day-bbq-recipes/)
90. Visit the [arboretum](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/holiday-fun-families-dallas/)
91. Memorize and recite a poem
92. Make a [solar oven](https://desertchica.com/diy-solar-oven-smores-kids-science-experiment/)
93. [Tie-dye](https://www.amazon.com/Tulip-32378-Step-18-Color-Tie-Dye/dp/B00KIN1JKE/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&qid=1519801650&sr=8-2&keywords=Tie-dye&linkCode=ll1&tag=7onashoe-20&linkId=b0e3b784fdc5c1639677a55642359d1b) shirts
94. Create thumbprint pictures
95. Make finger puppets
96. [Bake cupcakes](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/root-beer-float-cupcakes-perfect-bake/)
97. Visit a local petting zoo
98. Go on a "*bear hunt*"
99. Put together a [babysitter course](https://www.canadianhse.ca/babysitter-course/)
100. Create a [bubble snake maker](http://www.cometogetherkids.com/2011/04/bubble-snake-maker.html)
101. Play super heroes for an entire day
102. Kids love [skateboard lessons](https://www.goskate.com/go/texas-skateboard-lessons). Therefore, parents should include this productive and fun summer activity for their children. Skateboarding lessons have basic transportation skills, such as learning foot placement for good balance.

Whew! Okay, most of these are completely budget-friendly and require nothing more than a little creativity.

I would advise having a first aid kit with you to any summer camps or other events involving children. Kids love to have a good time, but there is always the risk of injury, especially in more physical games.

Gather the necessary supplies to treat wounds, including hydrogen peroxide, bandages, and square gauze. You should include over-the-counter medications for treating fever, discomfort, and allergies in case of an emergency.

In addition, don’t forget to pack energy-giving foods and lots of liquids. Kids may look energetic, but their bodies may lose plenty of fluids while doing all those fun activities during summer.

This summer, make sure kids stay hydrated. Drink 12 to 20 ounces of fluids before engaging in any strenuous outdoor summer activity, preferably water, since caffeine in sodas and energy drinks causes dehydration.

In addition, I make sure that the children wear light clothes and have a 15-minute break to recuperate.

Let kids enjoy summer with the above activities. Allowing them to go outside helps them explore nature, hone their survival skills, and discover their talents.

Summer activities also help children enhance their hard and soft skills, including communication, motor skills, leadership, agility, concern for others, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Who doesn't love a long list of fun, [free activities for kids](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/activities-for-kids/)!

Not to mention, I think these 101+ summer activities for kids are all totally doable. So... get outside and start playing!

### CLASSIC BACKYARD GAMES

[![Classic Backyard Games for Kids](https://storage.ghost.io/c/04/b6/04b60537-dad4-499b-b73c-0551021827f5/content/images/2026/01/classic-backyard-games-for-kids-3.png)](https://ourfamilylifestyle.com/backyard-games-panasonic-lumix-g7/)