With the kids out of school for the year, you’re likely wondering how to make the most of your time together and keep everyone entertained so check out these 15 Fun Summer Activities for Families.
Summer is the perfect time for family fun, but it’s hard to know where to start when the possibilities are endless.
Indecision can steal time from you, and before you know it, the summer has passed without anything to show for it.
To keep that from happening, we’ve helped you out by rounding up a list of 15 fun summer activities for families ranging from renting an RV to painting rocks.
You can choose something as simple or complex as your time, budget and family needs allow.
No matter what you pick, you’ll end the summer with a whole bunch of precious memories.
Photo by Natalya Zaritskaya on Unsplash
Table of Contents
Go Camping
Pack the family up and head to a campground or state park for the ultimate family fun experience.
Roast marshmallows, fish and go on hikes.
If you can’t get away or have young kids, you could start with a campout in the backyard.
Or take a trip to see Nevada and you will find RVs for rent near Las Vegas.
You’ll enjoy sleeping under the stars with the convenience of using your own bathroom.
Paint Kindness Rocks
Join the Kindness Rocks Project and paint some beautiful stones for others to find.
Add the official hashtag and watch social media to see if someone finds your creations.
Build the Ultimate Blanket Fort
Rainy days don’t have to spell the end of summer fun.
Work together to build the ultimate blanket fort.
Round up all the blankets in your house and pull off every cushion.
See what your imaginations can do.
Plant a Garden
Build simple raised beds in the backyard and let the kids pick their favorite veggies.
Spend the summer pulling weeds and tending to your plants.
By the end of the season, you’ll have lots of delicious produce to enjoy together.
Create Your Own Movie Theater
Pair an inexpensive projector and portable speaker with a white sheet and clothespins, and you’ve got the makings of your own outdoor theater.
Let the kids choose a movie or two to enjoy with a bowl of popcorn.
Go On a Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a fun way to spend the afternoon outdoors.
You can stick to the backyard or head to a hiking trail.
Create your own list of items to look for, or print out a premade one if you can’t think of enough ideas.
Craft New Refrigerator Magnets
Your refrigerator is covered in your kids’ artwork already.
Why not jazz up the magnets that hold it there?
Polymer clay is beginner-friendly and comes in a broad assortment of colors.
Just ensure you use it on a compatible surface, so the polymer doesn’t leave a stain or residue.
Have a Water Fight
What’s summer without an all-out water fight.
Dig out the water guns and buckets — fill them with loads of water balloons and large sponges.
Set up some basic ground rules, then let loose.
Let the Kids Cook
Mix things up a bit and have the kids cook dinner.
They’ll enjoy flipping through the cookbooks and finding old or new favorites.
Step in as sous chef if needed for safety.
Otherwise, let them make a mess and the meal.
Start a Summer Reading Challenge
Encourage the whole family to pick up a book by starting a summer reading challenge this season.
Read out loud together and independently to work your way through each part of the checklist.
Have an Outdoor Game Tournament
It’s time to dust off your outdoor games or buy a few new ones and start a backyard tournament.
Cornhole, ladder ball, badminton and bocce are great for many ages.
If you want to get extra fancy, create a sports bracket or run your games like a family Olympic games.
Set Up a Sundae Bar
Is there anything that spells summer more than ice cream?
At least once a year, pull out the stops and set up an all-you-can-eat sundae bar.
Agree on a few flavors and let everyone pick a favorite topping to add to the buffet.
Make Tie Dye Shirts
Tie-dye supplies are pretty inexpensive and can be used on anything white.
Try making coordinating family shirts to wear on one of your other adventures.
You could also tie-dye fun sheets or a shower curtain to bring summer flair to your home.
Rent an RV
You can have all the fun of an RV without buying one yourself.
Companies like Outdoorsy offer RV rentals for families looking for an adventure without the high price tag.
Pull out a map of the US and see how many states you can explore before the end of summer.
Try Out Local Businesses
You don’t need to leave town to have a great time.
Go for a walk and see what’s available in your area.
You can find local entertainment and food to last all summer and support small business owners in the process.
Final Thought; Take Lots of Pictures
Make it your goal to take at least one picture of the family each day of the summer.
Preserve memories of your special activities and simple, quiet moments spent together.
If you’re crafty, make a scrapbook full of all your pictures and little comments to help you remember.
Creating a digital picture book is another excellent option if you aren’t into scrapbooking.
You can even get it printed as a special memento of your summer.
