10 Exciting Summer Activities for Children: Keep Them Entertained

Do you know what time it is? It's summertime!

For children, summer break means a chance to unwind, play, and enjoy the great outdoors. However, for parents, the summer months can be a bit of a challenge. With school out, it's time to think of interesting, fun, educational, and engaging activities that will keep your little ones occupied and stimulated.

Children who engage in educational and physical activities during the summer months are more likely to retain the knowledge they gained during the school year. As a result, it's important for parents to prioritize these activities to prevent the dreaded "summer slide".

But we know it can be tough to come up with new and exciting ideas each year. That's why we've gathered 10 engaging summer activity ideas for children. Whether you're looking for ways to keep your children active, encourage their creativity, or teach them new skills, we've got you covered.

 So, say goodbye to boredom and hello to adventure! Let's dive into our list.

10 fun and educational summer activities for children

1. Get Outside and Explore: Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids

Summer is the perfect time for children to get outside, enjoy the warm weather, and explore the world around them.

Not only is spending time outdoors a fun way to pass the time, but it also comes with a variety of benefits for children's physical and mental health. Spending more time outdoors and engaging in play in natural environments is associated with better overall health, increased physical activity, and more opportunities for creative play in children (Kemple et al., 2016)Top of Form

Here are some engaging outdoor summer activities for kids that will help them explore the great outdoors and get some exercise at the same time:

• Hiking: Hit the trails with your kids and explore the beautiful scenery around you. Hiking is a great way to get exercise and enjoy nature at the same time. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks, and encourage your children to take breaks and enjoy the scenery.
• Camping: Spend a night or two under the stars with your children by taking them camping. This is a great opportunity to bond with your kids and teach them valuable camping skills, like building a fire and setting up a tent.
• Gardening: Planting a garden is a fun way for kids to learn about the natural world and get their hands dirty. Encourage your children to help you choose the plants, dig holes, and water the garden regularly.
• Nature scavenger hunt: Take your kids on a nature scavenger hunt and encourage them to find different items like leaves, rocks, and flowers.
• Water activities: Summer is the perfect time to get wet and cool off. Take your kids to the pool, beach, or water park, or set up a sprinkler in your backyard for some fun water play.
  
  

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By engaging in these outdoor activities, your children will not only have a blast, but they'll also be reaping the benefits of spending time in nature. Whether it's hiking through a scenic trail, setting up camp in the woods, or growing their own garden, outdoor activities offer a variety of physical and mental health benefits.

 

2. Get Creative: Artistic Summer Activities for Kids

Summer is the perfect time for children to unleash their inner artists! Engaging in artistic activities not only allows children to express themselves but also helps them develop important skills such as fine motor control and hand-eye coordination. 

So, let's get creative with these artistic summer activities for kids.

• Painting: One great artistic activity for children is painting. Whether it's with watercolors, acrylics, or finger paint, painting allows children to explore their imagination and create something truly unique. Drawing is another fantastic option, as it allows children to experiment with different shapes, colors, and textures.
• Pottery: For those looking for a more hands-on artistic experience, pottery making is a great option. Children can mold and shape clay into any design they can dream up, allowing them to exercise their creativity and build their hand-eye coordination.

No matter which artistic activity your child chooses, the benefits are clear. They'll be able to express themselves creatively, build important skills, and have fun in the process. So, let's get those creative juices flowing with these artistic summer activities for kids!

 

3. STEM activities

Summer is the perfect time for kids to explore and learn new things, and what better way to do that than through STEM activities? STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math, and these activities can help your children build important skills and knowledge that will serve them well in the future.

Here are some ideas for STEM summer activities for kids:

1. Building a Volcano:

Building a volcano is a classic STEM activity that involves combining chemistry and physics principles. It's a fun and interactive way to teach kids about chemical reactions and the laws of motion.

2. Creating a Solar-Powered Toy:

Creating a solar-powered toy is an excellent way to teach kids about solar energy and its benefits. It also helps children understand basic electronics and the concept of energy conversion.

3. Conducting Science Experiments:

Conducting science experiments is a great way to get kids excited about science. There are endless possibilities for science experiments, from making slime to creating a lava lamp using oil. It's an excellent opportunity for children to develop their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

By incorporating STEM activities into your child's summer routine, you can help them build important skills and knowledge while having fun at the same time. So why not give it a try and see how your child responds to the exciting world of science, technology, engineering, and math?

 

4. Sports and Fitness

Summer is the perfect time for kids to get up and get active. Sports and fitness activities not only help children stay healthy and fit but also provide an opportunity to learn new skills, make friends and have fun.

Here are some sports and fitness activities that children can enjoy during the summer:

• Swimming: Swimming is a fun and refreshing way to beat the summer heat. It is a great cardiovascular workout that can help children build endurance, strength and improve their overall fitness.
• Yoga: Yoga is a low-impact activity that can help children improve their flexibility, balance, and strength. It can also help children reduce stress and anxiety and improve their overall well-being.
• Biking: Biking is a fun way to explore the outdoors and stay active. It helps children build leg strength, improves their cardiovascular health, and enhances their balance and coordination.
• Team Sports: Team sports like soccer, basketball, and baseball are a great way for children to develop their social skills and build teamwork and leadership skills. They also provide a fun way to stay active and improve physical fitness.

Encourage your children to engage in sports and fitness activities this summer. They will have a blast, make new friends, and enjoy the many benefits of staying active and healthy.

 

5. Reading and Writing

Encouraging your child to read and write during the summer months is a fantastic way to keep their minds active and engaged. By providing them with enjoyable and stimulating reading material and writing activities, you can help them maintain their academic skills while also fostering a love for literature and creative expression.

Here are some reading and writing activities to add to your child's summer fun list:

• Start a book club: Encourage your child to start a book club with their friends. They can pick a book, read it together, and then discuss it. This will not only promote reading but also develop critical thinking skills.
• Write a summer journal: Encourage your child to keep a journal of their summer activities. This could include writing about their experiences, drawing pictures, or even pasting souvenirs from their adventures. It's a great way to remember and reflect on their summer memories.
• Write a short story: Encourage your child to write a short story about anything they like, such as a magical world, a superhero, or a talking animal. Writing a story can help them develop their writing skills, creativity, and imagination.
• Write a letter: Encourage your child to write a letter to a friend or family member who lives far away. This will not only promote writing but also strengthen their relationships.

Overall, reading and writing activities are great ways to keep your child engaged and learning during the summer months. Don't forget to make it fun and exciting for them!

 

6. Community Service

Summer is not just about having fun, it's also a great time for kids to engage in community service activities. This will help them develop important life skills and values such as empathy, social responsibility, and leadership. 

Here are some ideas for community service activities that your child can participate in this summer:

• Cleaning up local parks: Encourage your child to join a local park clean-up group or organize one of their own. They can pick up trash, plant trees, or help maintain the park's facilities.
• Volunteering at animal shelters: Children can learn about animal care and help make a difference in the lives of shelter animals by volunteering at animal shelters.
• Organizing food drives: Summer is a time when many families struggle to make ends meet. Your child can organize a food drive to collect non-perishable food items and donate them to a local food bank or homeless shelter.
• Helping the elderly: Your child can volunteer to help elderly neighbors with tasks such as yard work, grocery shopping, or running errands. This can be a great way for them to connect with their community and learn from their elders.

By participating in community service activities, your child will not only make a positive impact on their community, but they will also develop important skills and values that will benefit them for life. So encourage your child to get involved and make a difference this summer!

 

7. Cooking and Baking

Summer is a great time for children to explore new hobbies, and cooking and baking can be a fun and educational activity.

Activities to try:

• Pick a new recipe to try each week
• Get creative with decorating cupcakes or cookies
• Have a backyard BBQ and let your child help prepare the food
• Start a family cookbook or recipe box to collect your favorite recipes
• Host a baking competition with friends or family members

Cooking and baking can be a fun and rewarding activity for children of all ages. So, get your aprons on and start exploring the wonderful world of food together!

 

8. Upcycling

Want to teach your children about sustainability in a creative way this summer? Consider upcycling!

Upcycling is a fun and educational activity that can help children learn about sustainability and repurposing. Encourage children to repurpose old items and turn them into something new and useful.

Some examples of upcycling projects for kids include:

• Turning old t-shirts into tote bags or pillowcases
• Creating birdhouses from old milk cartons or coffee cans
• Making a wind chime from old silverware or bottle caps

Upcycling not only helps the environment but also promotes creativity and resourcefulness in children. So, gather some recycled materials and let your kids' imaginations run wild this summer!

 

9. Introducing New Hobbies

Introducing new hobbies to children during their summer holidays can be a great way to keep them engaged and active while expanding their interests and skill sets. Parents can encourage their children to try new hobbies and activities that they may not have considered before.

Here are 7 hobby ideas to get you started:

• Birdwatching: A fun and educational hobby that can help children learn about different bird species and their behaviors.
• Scrapbooking: Collect and arrange mementos like photos and ticket stubs in an artistic way to preserve summer memories.
• Calligraphy: An artistic hobby that can help children develop their handwriting and creative skills.
• Soap-making: Create beautiful and fragrant soap bars by mixing natural ingredients and essential oils, while learning about chemistry and the art of soap-making.
• Origami: An engaging hobby that can help children improve their hand-eye coordination and patience while creating beautiful paper designs.
• Candle-making: Create scented candles in fun colors to showcase imagination.

 

10. Take your kids to fun places

Summer holidays are the perfect time to take kids to exciting and unique places beyond the usual museums and camping trips. Amusement parks, water parks, zoos, botanical gardens, farms, planetariums, science centers, art galleries, historical landmarks, and national parks offer a wide range of fun and educational experiences. Whether it's riding roller coasters, seeing exotic animals, exploring gardens, or learning about history and science, these places offer endless opportunities for family fun and making lasting memories.

Final Thoughts

Summer is a wonderful time for children to explore new activities, learn new skills, and create lifelong memories. It's important to take advantage of the season and find new and exciting ways to spend time together. Do try our suggested “summer activities for children” this summer.

We know that there are countless other fun and exciting summer activities that we may have missed. So, we want to hear from you! Please share your favorite summer activity ideas in the comments below so that we can all benefit from your creativity and imagination. Let's inspire each other and create the best summer yet for our children.

References

Kristen M. Kemple, JiHyun Oh, Elizabeth Kenney & Tina Smith-Bonahue (2016) The Power of Outdoor Play and Play in Natural Environments, Childhood Education, 92:6, 446-454, DOI: 10.1080/00094056.2016.1251793