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This is part one of two posts offering TONS of great ideas to keep your kids entertained during summer vacation! It’s a huge list of kid friendly summer activities, most of which are FREE! Keep your kids occupied and entertained this summer with just a little planning.

Here is a list of 50 MORE ideas for summer fun with your kids!

50 MORE Ideas for Summer Fun with Your Kids

The above graphic is also a free printable. Print this list out by clicking on the image, then right click and save to your computer.

  1. BUBBLE BLOWING CONTEST – Get some bubbles at the dollar store, or make your own bubbles.
  2. SIDEWALK CHALK MASTERPIECES – Draw some frames out on the ground, and let your kids go to town creating some fabulous artwork. Be sure to take pictures!
  3. KING/QUEEN FOR A DAY – Let each of your kids be in charge for a day. They pick the food you eat, the games you play, the shows you watch, etc. If you’re really brave you can even let them pick out your clothes!
  4. MOVIE THEME DAY – Dress/talk/act like your favorite movie character, and plan the day around your favorite movies.
  5. VISIT A PET STORE
  6. PIE EATING CONTEST
  7. OUTDOOR GAME COMPETITION – Plan one for your family or consider including friends.
  8. BIKE RIDING AT THE PARK
  9. FAMILY RELAY RACE
  10. CAMPOUT IN THE BACKYARD
  11. CAMP-IN (INDOOR CAMPOUT) – Get out the sleeping bags and blankets and have a campout on the living room floor!
  12. MAKE YOUR OWN PUPPETS
  13. GO ON A BUG HUNT
  14. BACKWARDS DAY (DESSERT FIRST!)
  15. BAKING SODA “BOMBS”
  16. MAKE S’MORES or try my S’Mores Brownies
  17. GO ON A BIRD WALK – Make some binoculars out of toilet paper rolls and head out on a nature walk to see how many different types of birds you can spot.
  18. HAVE A SLEEPOVER
  19. GO TO A COUNTY FAIR – Check this website to find a county fair near you.
  20. FIND A DRIVE-IN THEATER – find one here.
  21. READ A BOOK TOGETHER – Find a great chapter book and read aloud to your kids each night before bed.
  22. BUILD A LEGO CASTLE
  23. MAKE PAPER DOLLS
  24. VISIT A LOCAL FIRE STATION
  25. PUT ON A PUPPET SHOW
  26. FIND A FREE KIDS WORKSHOP – Lots of home stores and craft stores offer free workshops and events each month. Check with your local stores to see what’s available.
  27. TAKE AN ART CLASS
  28. VISIT A NATURE CENTER – Find a nature center near you.
  29. SCAVENGER HUNT – Use these free printables to get you started
  30. FASHION SHOW
  31. LEARN HOW TO JUGGLE
  32. VISIT A MUSEUM – Bank of America card holders get free admission on the first Sunday of the month.
  33. WATER BALLOON FIGHT
  34. STORYTIME – Go to storytime at your local library or bookstore. Barnes & Noble offers bedtime stories, as does Pottery Barn Kids.
  35. VISIT A JUMP HOUSE – This is a little more costly, but it’s a great way to burn off some energy while mom sits in the air conditioning while kids play! Some stores offer discounts for larger groups or for certain times of the day/month.
  36. FACTORY/SHOP TOURS – Check with local factories, stores or restaurants. Many offer tours of their facilities!
  37. RUN THROUGH THE SPRINKLERS
  38. VOLUNTEER – VolunteerMatch.org will help you find a place to volunteer with your kids.
  39. MAKE TREATS FOR A NEIGHBOR
  40. DOLLAR STORE – Give your kids each a dollar for good behavior or completing a chore and take them to the dollar store or the Target dollar spot and let them spend it on something silly.
  41. MAKE A BIRD FEEDER – Here are 20 Unique Birdfeeders to try.
  42. GO BERRY PICKING
  43. VISIT A FARM
  44. PAINT ROCKS
  45. HAVE A TEA PARTY
  46. MAKE TIE-DIE T-SHIRTS
  47. POOL NOODLE LIGHTSABERS
  48. CELEBRATE AN UNBIRTHDAY – Bake a cake, hang decorations and plan a special dinner for the unbirthday person!
  49. HAVE A PIZZA PARTY

Whew, that was a lot! I’m pretty excited for summer now, and I hope you are too!

How do you keep your kids entertained over the summer? Do you have ideas that aren’t on this list? Leave them in the comments – I’d love some more great suggestions. I’m working on a free printable blank list as well, so you can write your own and check off each activity as you complete it. Watch for that one next week!

Kristin Maxwell

Kristin Maxwell is the creator and main recipe developer, writer, and photographer of Yellow Bliss Road. A self-taught cook and self-appointed foodie, she specializes in easy, flavorful and approachable recipes for any home cook.

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  1. For those long car rides, get some kids’ podcasts! There is a new “Highlights Hangout” podcast that is fantastic.