Summer is the perfect time for kids to unplug, soak up the sun, and enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you’re planning family adventures or looking for simple backyard fun, we’ve rounded up the best summer outdoor activities for kids that are exciting, safe, and easy to plan. These ideas will help your children stay active, make memories, and enjoy every sunshine-filled day.
I have included links to other blogs where they share how to create some of these fun summer outdoor activities, as well as links to products. However; don’t feel like you have to spend a ton of money to have a great summer with your kids. Most of these can be done very frugally or free!
🌞 Classic Outdoor Fun
- Play tag
- Have a water balloon fight
- Fly a kite
- Play hide and seek
- Build a sandcastle
- Jump rope
- Blow bubbles
- Play hopscotch
- Run through the sprinkler
- Toss a frisbee
🌿 Nature & Exploration
- Go on a nature scavenger hunt
- Catch fireflies
- Watch birds with binoculars
- Collect rocks and paint them
- Create your own backyard dinosaur world
- Identify leaves and trees
- Make nature rubbings with crayons
- Visit a botanical garden
- Hunt for bugs (and gently release them!)
- Make a nature journal
🛶 Water Adventures
- Visit a splash pad
- Swim in a lake or pool
- Canoe or paddle boat
- Go fishing
- Build a DIY slip-n-slide
- Play with a water table
- Make sponge water bombs
- Jump on the trampoline with the hose
- Have a pool noodle sword fight
- Wash the car together (and splash around!)
🏕️ Backyard Camping & Play
- Camp out in the backyard
- Make s’mores over a firepit
- Set up a tent and read books inside
- Stargaze with a telescope or app
- Create a backyard movie night
- Tell stories around a pretend campfire
- Build a fort using blankets and sticks
- Do flashlight tag at night
- Roast hot dogs outside
- Create shadow puppets in a tent
🚲 Wheels & Rides
- Go on a family bike ride
- Try rollerblading or roller skating
- Ride a scooter at the park
- Set up a bike wash station
- Decorate bikes with streamers and stickers
- Organize a neighborhood bike parade
- Create a bike obstacle course
- Ride go-karts or pedal cars
- Practice bike safety skills
- Learn to ride without training wheels
🎨 Creative Outdoor Activities
- Draw with sidewalk chalk
- Paint with squirt guns
- Make a mud kitchen
- Build fairy houses from sticks and leaves
- Craft wind chimes with recycled materials
- Paint outdoors with toy cars
- Freeze small toys in ice and “rescue” them
- Make leaf crowns
- Build sculptures with rocks and glue
- Paint seashells with watercolors
🏃 Physical Games & Sports
- Play kickball
- Set up a mini soccer game
- Practice baseball or softball
- Do relay races
- Set up a hula hoop challenge
- Play four square
- Try capture the flag
- Play balloon tennis
- Practice gymnastics on the grass
- Play dodgeball with soft balls
🧺 Out & About Adventures
- Go to the zoo
- Explore a hiking trail
- Visit a local farmer’s market
- Attend an outdoor concert
- Watch a movie in the park
- Take a trip to the beach
- Visit a nature preserve
- Ride a scenic train
- Visit a children’s museum with an outdoor play area
- Try geocaching with an app
🍓 Gardening & Growing
- Plant sunflowers
- Start a vegetable garden
- Decorate garden pots
- Build a butterfly garden
- Grow beans in a bag
- Make garden markers with stones
- Water the garden with a watering can
- Harvest and taste garden produce
- Observe pollinators like bees and butterflies
- Compost food scraps
🎉 Special Summer Events
- Host a backyard carnival
- Throw a water-themed birthday party
- Organize a neighborhood field day
- Host an ice cream social
- Set up an outdoor talent show
- Create a DIY lemonade stand
- Have a patriotic Fourth of July parade
- Plan a backyard luau
- Throw a glow-stick dance party
- Make a summer outdoor activity bucket list
Summer Outdoor Activities for Kids
Summer is short—make it unforgettable with fun, enriching, and screen-free outdoor activities for kids. Whether you’re planning grand adventures or enjoying simple backyard play, the goal is to make memories that last a lifetime.
Free Checklist and Printable
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