20+ Kids Activities for the BEST Summer Ever!

Are you planning your summer bucket list?  After the hectic pace of the school year, summer is always the perfect time to create a change of pace and make some great family memories.  Here’s a collection of classic must-try activities that will make this summer the best ever!

Classic Summer Fun

Nothing says summer like bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and outdoor games.

Everyone loves making giant bubbles – even big kids too!

Here’s a collection of classic outdoor games that kids will love. From Teach Beside Me.

Make a Nerf War Battlefield – this would make a great birthday party idea!  From Steam Powered Family.

Here are some sidewalk chalk activities to try from The Pinterested Parent.

Build an Obstacle Course

Kids LOVE to test their skills on an obstacle course, and basically any course you set up will appeal to a wide range of ages. I am always amazed at how much fun my kids have with an obstacle course and how long they stick with it!

We love our DIY American Ninja Warrior obstacle course!  You can set it up differently every time, which is fun.

If you have some woodworking skills, you’ll definitely want to check out this AMAZING ninja warrior course – it has climbing and hanging elements and is just overall awesome. I’d love to build this for our kids.

You don’t need special materials to create an obstacle course, however!  Here’s a backyard obstacle course from the blog 5 to Fifteen that is made out of materials you likely already have.

This fun obstacle course from Teach Me Mommy also makes creative use of what you already have.

Another fantastic material to use for an obstacle course is pool noodles!  Get them at the dollar store!  Here’s some inspiration for a pool noodle obstacle course from Raising Dragons.

Classic Summer Crafts

Try some rock painting!  It’s fun and relaxing for all ages, including parents too.  Here are 25+ Awesome Rock Painting Ideas to get you started.

Or try some seashell painting.  Such a fun idea from Mama Papa Bubba.

Make some slime!  This lemonade scented slime is awesome for summer.

Make some cork boats to float in a kiddie pool or tin foil river. Another idea from Mama Papa Bubba.

Make Frozen Treats

The kids will love making some ice cream – and you don’t even have to have an ice cream maker!  Here’s how to make ice cream in a tin can from Happy Hooligans.

Or use a ziplock bag!  Here’s a recipe for chocolate ice cream in a bag from Simple Play Ideas.

I am totally going to try making these watermelon berry popsicles from Fireflies and Mudpies. They look super refreshing.

If your kids love fudgesicles, they’ll love this homemade version! From Cincy Shopper.

Water Play!

Cool off on a hot day with some awesome water games.

This water balloon bash game looks right up our alley for sure.

Launch water balloons great distances with this awesome DIY water balloon launcher.  SO FUN!  We’re on our third season with this, and the kids still love it.

Have some water gun cup races – love this idea from All for the Boys.

Younger kids (maybe up to age 7?) will enjoy these water table play ideas.  The LEGO boats are a must!

Add water to your marble maze – this is a BRILLIANT idea from Housing a Forest.

Make some sponge water bombs – I love this idea because they can be used over and over, unlike water balloons. And they don’t create a mess either!

Have an awesome summer!