Indoor & Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids
I absolutely love when the weather gets warmer. Summer is a time for fun and relaxation, but it’s easy to run out of ideas for things to do. If you’re looking for ways to keep your young children entertained during the summer months, here are a few ideas:
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outdoor
GO TO A PLAGROUND
A playground is a great place for kids to run around and play. There are usually plenty of activities to keep them busy, such as swings, slides, and climbing structures. Sometimes I pack my girls’ bikes and scooters as an added activity.
GO SWIMMING
Swimming is a nice way to cool off on a hot summer day. It’s also a lot of fun for kids to splash around and play in the water. We do not have a pool so we use our water table on days that we can’t make it to one.
GO TO THE ZOO
I’m fortunate to live within 30 minutes of two zoos. Taking a trip to the zoo is a fun way for kids to learn about animals. Many have special events as well, so if you have one nearby, make sure to check out what your zoo has to offer.
GO TO THE BEACH
Obviously, this can be a big trip if you are not near a beach. It takes my family about 2 hours to get to the beach so this would be a weekend trip for us. The beach is the ultimate sensory play place with sand, water, and many other things to touch and explore.
GO CAMPING
Camping is truly a fun way for kids to experience the outdoors. They can go hiking, fishing, and roasting marshmallows over a campfire. You can even set up a tent right in your backyard or inside your own home!
GO TO A FARM
There are numerous opportunities for fun on a farm. Whether it is to see animals, pick produce, or eat freshly made ice cream, there is something for everyone.
GO ON A PICNIC
Picnics are a great way to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with family and friends. We sometimes bring a picnic lunch when we head out to the playground. I also like to let the girls picnic on our deck sometimes just for a change of scenery.
GO MINI-GOLFING
I love this option because there are many mini golf courses that have cool lights and effects at nighttime. That way, you can still be outside, but enjoy a bit of relief from the sun.
GO TO AN ARBORETUM
I recently made a full blog post about arboretums. Arboretum visits are one of my favorite activities to do with the girls. You would be surprised how kid-friendly many arboretums are!
GO TO AN AMUSEMENT PARK
We are about an hour away from Sesame Place, Dutch Wonderland, Dorney Park, and Six Flags. Hershey Park is less than two hours away. Out of that list, we have only been to Sesame Place, but I plan to visit many more. I understand that an amusement park trip can feel daunting with little ones. We have also been to Disney a few times and a cute place in New Jersey called Storybook Land., but those were long trips. I promise it’s worth it! We have made so many great memories at amusement parks.
GO TO A FESTIVAL
There are often festivals happening in the summer, such as music festivals, food festivals, and art festivals. These festivals can be a lot of fun for kids and adults alike so make sure to check your township’s website or see what events are coming up in nearby towns.
indoor
GO TO THE BOWLING ALLEY
We signed up for Kids Bowl Free because we couldn’t pass on the deal. It allows your kids two free games of bowling each day during the spring and summer months. Such a great activity for those super hot or rainy days!
GO TO THE LIBRARY
The library allows you to stay cool while discovering fun books, movies, and games. They also often have special programs and events for kids during the summer. And if your local library does not have what you need, you can visit other libraries in your area!
GO TO THE MUSEUM
There are so many different types of museums. There are children’s museums, helicopter museums, collectibles museums, science museums, and much more. With museums covering so many interests, it is not hard to find one to keep your kids entertained!
GO TO AN AQUARIUM
I love aquariums and my birthday request every year is for my family to go to the aquarium together. I find that different aquariums have different offerings so it is fun to visit different locations. Check out this video to see one of our aquarium trips.
GO TO THE MOVIES
The movies are a great way to cool off on a hot summer day. They’re also a lot of fun for kids to watch movies and eat snacks. We recently took the girls to their first movie and they both loved it!
GO TO AN ARCADE
This is another great activity to beat the heat. An arcade is a great place for kids to play games and win prizes. Also, they can work to improve their hand-eye coordination and reaction time.
These are just a few ideas of things to do with young children in the summer. There are many other possibilities, so be creative, have fun, and take lots of pictures!
