Summer is right around the corner and if you are like me you don’t want the kids sitting around just playing video games but you want them to have fun and get out lots of energy. Here is a HUGE list of Summer Activities for Kids, that includes recipes, crafts and places you can go to have a TON of fun this summer many with out breaking the bank because there is so much that is FREE or really cheap to do!
Also make sure you check out 9 Ways to Have Summer Fun on a Dime! Having fun doesn’t have to be expensive! Also check out the FREE Summer Activities for Kids for lots of places you can take the kids! Plus don’t miss the printable Summer Bucket list Printable at the bottom of this post! It is totally FREE, just print it and start having fun!
Summer Activity Ideas for Kids
Summer Activity Ideas for Kids
- Barnes and Nobles Summer Reading program
- Kids bowl FREE Program – the kids can bowl for FREE all summer long
- Regal Cinemas Summer $1 Movies
- AMC $4 Movies are also fun if you have an AMC Theater – for $4 you get a snack pack and a movie ticket!
- Summer Reading Programs for kids
- Home Depot kids workshop
- Kids skate FREEÂ
- FREE Ice Cream Days
- American Girl Instore Events
Crafts to do with Kids
- Make Homemade PlaydohÂ
- Make a Hairbow rack
- Pool Noodle Fire Cracker CraftÂ
- DIY Chalk Paint– great for getting the kids involved in home decorating
- Tissue Paper RainbowsÂ
- Butterfly craftÂ
- DIY Slime without Borax
- Glittery Fluffy Slime
- Edible Slime made with Lifesaver Gummies
- Pumpkin Spice Edible Slime
- DIY Rainbow crayonsÂ
- Homemade Finger Paint
- Stick raft
- Disney Character ArtÂ
- DIY Flower Pots
- Homemade Sparkle Playdough
- Clear Slime Recipe
- Homemade Slime Recipe
- Fluffy Slime Recipe
- Unicorn Slime
- Apple Painting
- Saline Slime Recipe
- Starburst Slime
- Kid Safe Slime Recipe using Instant Pudding
- Scented Playdough
- Homemade Air Dry clay
- Homemade Cloud Dough Recipe
- DIY Flag Crate
- Kid Handprint 4th of July Craft
- Footprints in the Sand Kids art Â
- DIY Minky BlanketÂ
- Cake Batter Scented Playdough
- Kids Handprint Hand towels
- DIY Lovie Blanket
- DIY Taggie Blanket
- Potato Stamps
- DIY Wooden Growth Chart
- DIY You are My Sunshine Canvas
- DIY Little Mermaid Shirt
- Bubble Painting
- Family Photo Tree CraftÂ
- Picture Tile Wall Art
- Tye DyeÂ
- Sand CandlesÂ
- Cup BellÂ
- Harry Potter Wand Craft
- Ceiling Fan redoÂ
- DIY Flower Flip Flops
- Pop Bottle RocketsÂ
- DIY Magnet ChalkboardÂ
- Rice Box ActivityÂ
Kids Learning Activities to do During the Summer
- Reading at home – Find FREE Kindle books for kids on Amazon
- Summer Journals
- Math Beach Ball Game
- Shaving Cream Rain Cloud
- Celery Experiment
- Pipe Cleaner Color Sorter
- DIY Block Puzzle Learning
- Sun Tea ScienceÂ
Outside Fun for kids
- Washable Chalk Paint
- Duck Duck Splash
- Sandbox Treasure HuntÂ
- Sponge ball TossÂ
- Grow AsparagusÂ
- Backyard staycation luau
- Geocaching
- Go fishing
- Go on a hike
- Veggie picking – search online for local U-Pick farms
- Blow bubbles
- Play hop scotch and use chalk to draw yours
- 15 Water Games for Kids
- find a local pond that has ducks and feed the ducks (make sure its ok first)
- Chalkboard Herb Planter
- have a water gun fights
- have a water balloon fight
- run through the sprinklers
- Swing on the swings
- Have a campfire and make S’mores –Â Make Homemade Marshmallows
- play tag
- play in the sandbox
- play hide-and-seek
Inside Summer Fun (For Rainy days)
- Build a fort with blankets
- Indoor Scavenger huntÂ
- Summer Jokes for KidsÂ
- play hide-and-seek
- Chores Bingo
- Mess Free Finger Paint
Summer Recipes for kids
- Kettle Corn RecipeÂ
- 3 Ingredient Banana Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
- Watermelon Pink LemonadeÂ
- Bagel Pizzas
- Grilled Cheese Roll-ups
- Copy Cat Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Hot Dog
- Hand squeezed Lemonade RecipeÂ
- Rainbow Cake
- Watermelon Jell-o
- Wendy’s Frosty Copy Cat RecipeÂ
- Homemade Pudding Pops
- Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Bites Copycat Recipe
- Color Changing Milk
- Orange Soda CakeÂ
- Trail mixÂ
- Cinnamon Sugar french toast sticks
Download and print the Summer Bucket List Printable here.Â
Comments & Reviews
Ellen Christian says
Thanks so much for sharing my post. Off to check out the others.
Antionette Blake says
BTW, we used to call our grandmother, “Mama Midget” because that was her last name.
MidgetMomma says
She had an AWESOME last name 🙂
Michelle @ Moms Are Frugal says
I love this list! The recipe section will be so helpful in my menu plannng.
Lexie says
Sadly Lowes has discontinued its build and grow workshop
Stephanie says
awe that’s to bad!
Krissi says
Thanks for adding me to your email list & looking forward to doing things with my kids this summer!Is there an age limit on the Home depot workshop?Also wanted to add not sure if you listed this or not?The local library usually has a summer reading program for prizes.You can also get free passes to museums.Such as children’s museums when available.
Stephanie says
I dont think there is an age limit.