Are you searching for fun things to do this summer to keep you and your kids busy and entertained?
With summer right around the corner, it’s time to get creative because there’s nothing kids love more than some fun in the sun!
If you’re stumped for ideas, we’re here to help. We’ve curated a list of the best summer activities for kids that will have everyone jumping for joy!
To get started, just print this list and post it on your refrigerator so your Au Pair always has inspiration at the ready. It’s also a helpful way to spell out which activities are parent-approved for summer fun.
Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids
Summer is a great time for kids to get some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors. Here are some of the best outdoor things to do with kids this summer:
1. Take a Trip to the Zoo
One of the easiest summer ideas for kids is to take them to the zoo!
At the zoo, young children get to experience animals from every corner of the globe. Not only do they enjoy close-up looks at the amazing creatures, but it’s also a chance for your Au Pair to teach them about wildlife, the environment, and conservation, all in a real-world setting.
2. Have a Water Balloon Fight
Water balloon fights have become a classic summer activity for kids of all ages. They’re loads of fun and a great way to exercise, socialize, and share some laughs along the way! They’re also an excellent idea for a picnic or BBQ.
Water balloon fights are also a clever way to get the kids outside to enjoy the great outdoors! All you need are balloons, a water source, and a bunch of eager little ones.
3. Go Fishing
Fishing is one of the best outdoor things you can do in the summer with kids. It’s yet another easy way to get the youngsters outside to experience nature and learn a new skill. It’s also great for bonding with family and creating great memories they’ll remember forever.
4. Throw a Pool Noodle Javelin
A pool noodle javelin throw is a fun and easy “sport,” making it a fantastic outdoor summer activity for kids. It’s also a great way to help an Au Pair get kids away from screens during the summer months.
To play pool noodle javelin throw, you’ll need ten hollow pool noodles, duct tape, and two broomsticks. Then:
- Form six of the noodles into hoops and duct tape them into two rows of three.
- Place two noodles over the broomsticks and attach the target hoops using duct tape.
- Stick the two broomsticks into the ground, using garden stakes if necessary.
- Finally, let the kids take turns tossing the noodles through the hoops.
You’ll have Olympics-ready throwers in no time!
5. Play Balloon Tennis
Looking for safe and easy summer activities for 5-year-olds? Or any age, for that matter? Try balloon tennis! All you need to play are:
- Balloons
- Popsicle sticks
- Paper plates
- A string
- 2 chairs
You’ll attach one popsicle stick to the bottom of each paper plate to create your “rackets.” Then, tie a string between two chairs, which will become your “net.”
Create teams of two, and use the inflated balloons as balls. It’s the perfect alternative to regular tennis for little ones who can’t yet hold real rackets.
6. Create a Nature-Based Scavenger Hunt
An outdoor scavenger hunt is another great way to explore nature. Create a list of items your children can find in the backyard, like pine cones, types of flowers and rocks, five-point leaves — you name it. It’s also a fun activity for camping or hiking trips.
Indoor Summer Activities for Kids
Indoor kid activities are a smart way for an Au Pair to provide entertainment on those rare rainy days. Thankfully, there are many quick and easy options for creating indoor summer fun for kids:
7. Build a Pillow Fort
Do you know one of the things kids like to do more than anything else? Build stuff! So, grab some pillows and raid the linen closet because it’s time to make a fort.
An old-fashioned pillow fort will awaken the inner inventor in you, no matter your age, and should be a staple of every kid’s childhood.
8. Bake a Tasty Treat
Baking doesn’t have to be unhealthy for kids to have a great time and gobble up the results. Many cookie recipes use fruits, whole grains, and natural sweeteners, among other nutritious ingredients. Look up a recipe for something delicious and get to work!
9. Start a Game of Hide and Seek
It’s a game that all children love. Depending on how adventurous your Au Pair feels, the kids can stick to certain sections of the house or wander freely. Game on!
10. Throw a Dance Party
To prevent cabin fever, try some upbeat music and teach the kids some funny dance routines. The crazier the moves, the better!
11. Create a Scavenger Hunt
Just like the outdoor version, you can send your children on a hunt for indoor treasure until they’ve found everything on the list. Bonus points for anyone who finds that missing sock from last week’s laundry day!
12. Have a Board Game Night
Bring out everyone’s competitive side with some board games! They’re perfect for helping kids develop critical thinking skills and create a great bonding opportunity for an Au Pair.
To work on leadership skills, each kid can even take a turn as game master, making the rules, keeping score, and declaring the winner at the end.
13. Play Charades
Charades is a timeless game that will have everyone laughing out loud! And the best part is that you don’t need many (or even any) materials to play. You can have different themes each time, like rock stars, movie stars, superhero characters, and more.
Charades is also a good way to share cultural references with your Au Pair, who might not be familiar with some of the characters you play.
Laid-Back Summer Activities for Kids
Whether you’re on a budget or just want to keep things simple, it’s nice to have free or inexpensive activities kids can get into. Here are some ideas to get your summer off to a great start:
14. Have a Picnic in the Park
Picnics are the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors without having to battle heavy traffic, crowds, and long lines. A picnic is a great way to spend quality time with the family and enjoy a beautiful day together.
15. Go on a Hike
Trekking isn’t just for those who live in the mountains. You’d be amazed at the number of trails you can find in your city! Just look up local routes on your town’s Parks and Recreation website.
This is yet another free activity to do with kids, getting them out of the house and into nature!
16. Go for an Early Evening Stroll
Summer days can get scorching. As a result, it’s not always easy to spend a lot of time outside unless you’re in a pool or hiding in the shade.
Once the temperature drops, your kids and Au Pair can enjoy a walk in the cool evening air. It’s a great reprieve from a hot and busy summer’s day!
17. Explore the Library
Don’t forget to stop by your local library this summer! Children and adults alike enjoy the many free summer reading activities offered by their local public libraries.
Most libraries also offer free access to ebooks, audiobooks, and learning apps. A weekly trip to the library this summer will keep your kids active and engaged in reading.
18. Set Up a Backyard Water Slide
Take the kids to the backyard for some water slide fun this summer. It’s a simple, easy, and inexpensive way to let your children release all of that pent-up energy.
Plus, it doesn’t require a lot of work and is immensely entertaining for both kids and adults. You don’t have to go to an expensive water park to have some thrills!
19. Grow a Few Herbs
Growing herbs from seeds is a great pastime!
Help your kids plant seeds, water them, and watch them sprout over the summer. More bonus points if you can produce your own herbs and use them in your cooking.
Educational Kids Summer Activities
Want to sneak some education into your kids’ summer fun? These activities are as enriching as they are entertaining and will keep minds active when they’re away from school.
20. Tour a Local Farm
By touring a local farm, kids can learn about animal care, sustainable farming practices, and how the food they eat is grown. Some farms even offer hands-on experiences, so kids can participate in agricultural activities and see some of the lessons they learn in action.
21. Go to a Science Museum
Take your kids to a science museum! Many museums have days when kids get in for free, so ask about those freebies at your local museum.
A trip to the science museum can be an exciting way for kids to see their science lessons in action between school years. It’s also the perfect hot day activity, since museums tend to have excellent AC!
22. Try DIY Science Experiments
Can’t make it to the museum? Try some DIY science experiments at home. Kids can make their own baking soda volcano, a lava lamp, create a cloud in a jar, or their very own slime. Fair warning — you could find yourself scraping slime off of furniture for days.
23. Take a Cooking Class
Have a young gourmand in your home? Take them to a cooking class! It’s a great way to start involving kids in household chores, like making meals. If your Au Pair is up for it, they can also teach a mini cooking class at home and show your family how to make dishes from their country.
24. Host a Lemonade Stand
Hosting a lemonade stand is a great way for kids to work on social skills since they’ll be interacting with customers.
A lemonade stand is also a fun way to build a work ethic and develop number skills by handling money. Just make sure that you or your Au Pair is always supervising, since your little ones will be talking to strangers.
25. Have a Garage Sale
Been meaning to clear out the garage or get rid of all those toys your pre-teens have outgrown? Try a garage sale!
A garage sale gives you and your kids a chance to walk down memory lane as you go through some of their old things. Better yet, you can put kids to work as salespeople or cashiers, continuing to develop those social skills and work ethic.
Extended Summer Kids Activities
Looking for an activity that lasts longer than an afternoon? We know how important it is for your kids’ summer days to be more than just wandering the mall or playing video games.
To keep everyone engaged, a few ongoing activities can keep your kids active, creative, and connected. Here are a few to consider.
26. Enroll in Summer Camp
Remember how much fun you had at summer camp as a kid? Staying away from home helped you build a sense of independence, and you made friends for life.
Consider sending your kid to summer camp so they can enjoy the magic of fireside sing-alongs, meals in the mess hall, and other classic camp activities.
27. Visit a Nearby City
Take your kids to a nearby big city for the weekend! If you live within driving distance of a major metropolitan area, you can enjoy culturally enriching experiences for a day or two.
Maybe see a theater production, go to museums, or try out world-class cuisine. Visit historically significant sites, like government buildings or national landmarks.
28. Start a Kid’s Book Club
Is your kid facing a long summer reading list? Creating a book club around it can help young learners stay on track with their reading goals and bring the text to life. Plus, it gives your kiddos a chance to get together with their friends regularly.
Of course, your Au Pair might like joining the club as well, especially with older kids and teens since they’d get to read some of our culture’s classic literature.
29. Go Camping
Head out into the wilderness over the weekend for some bonding and outdoor skills development. Your kids can learn how to pitch a tent, make a fire, identify edible plants, and all of those other timeless camping skills.
If you’re lucky, you’ll go so far out in nature that there won’t be cell service, and your kids will finally put their phones away.
30. Enroll Kids in Sailing Classes
Live near the water? Sailing classes can be excellent activities for ambitious kids. They get your young ones out in the fresh air, keep them active, and teach them accountability since they’ll have important jobs on the boat.
31. Start a Bike Club
If your children enjoy bike rides, why not start a bike club? You can pick out different routes each week, giving your kids a chance to stay active while socializing and exploring their city! Send your Au Pair out with the club, too — they can supervise while familiarizing themselves with your town or city.
Special Occasion Summer Activities for Kids
Celebrating something special like a birthday or the end of summer school? While these activities might not be practical on a day-to-day basis, they can be the perfect way to recognize a summer milestone.
32. Play Mini Golf
Treat the family to a round of fun at the mini golf course! It’s a fun way to spend a day in the sun, enjoying a little healthy competition. Many mini golf venues also have other activities like arcade games and laser tag, so you can make a whole day of it.
33. Go to an Amusement Park
Live near an amusement park? Ride some roller coasters for the day. Amusement park tickets aren’t cheap, but they’re a perfect gift for recognizing a kid’s hard work at summer school or at their summer job.
34. Have a DIY Outdoor Movie Night
An outdoor movie night is a fun and easy way to celebrate a birthday. Taking everyone to the theaters gets expensive. Instead, rent a projector and have your kids’ friends over for a screening under the stars. You can set up inflatable lounges and even get a popcorn machine.
35. Do a Ropes Course
Ropes courses are popular with athletic and adventurous youth. Find a ropes course provider in your area and take the family for the day. Tackling each obstacle will get everyone’s adrenaline pumping and build self-esteem.
36. Make Ice Cream Sandwiches
Here’s another fun birthday idea: a DIY ice cream sandwich night. You can put out a whole spread of ingredients, including all sorts of cookies, ice cream flavors, sprinkles, syrups, and yummy toppings like marshmallow fluff or honey. Just prepare for the sugar rush that comes next.
37. Have a Water Gun Battle
It’s time for battle! Not really. But there’s nothing like a classic water gun duel to work out some energy and cool off.
Just get everyone an age-appropriate water gun and set up some obstacles in the backyard, maybe some mini trenches and walls made of furniture to hide behind. We’ve also heard that water gun battles are a great way to get new, shy Au Pairs to come out of their shells.
38. Go Whale Watching
If you live near the ocean, whale watching can be an unforgettable experience. Kids will love getting up close to these majestic creatures. Plus, it provides an opportunity to discuss the importance of protecting our marine life.
Give Your Kids a Summer They’ll Never Forget
Kids look forward to summer break all year, but parents know it takes more than sunshine to keep youngsters busy. Our list of summer activities for kids has you covered, no matter the weather, your schedule, or budget.
If you’re busy balancing work or other responsibilities, a Summer Au Pair can help plan these activities and provide some hands-on supervision. Many of these ideas are also great ways for a new Au Pair to acclimate to your city and family!
Ready to make this a summer your kids will always remember? Join our community of Host Families to browse our available Au Pairs. And when you’re ready to take the next step, contact Go Au Pair and see how live-in childcare can make it all possible.
