15 outside activities every kid should do before summer’s over
What do you do when your kids say they’re bored?
Making summer memories with your kids can be as easy as getting them outside and doing something fun. Do you remember the things you did as a kid? Too often those things get overlooked for iPads, tablets, DVDs, music players and indoor activities. Don’t allow your children to become robots or couch potatoes this summer! Try these great ideas before summer is over.
1.) Make lawn art on a large sheet. Take your kids out t the yard, spread out a sheet, and let them paint it any way they want. If they get dirty, spray them off with a water hose!
2.) Have a “read off.” Take your kids out in the fresh air, sit them in the shade, provide them with snacks and drinks, and tell them to read at least three books while you’re outside. If they are older kids, designate a number of chapters to read.
3.) Make homemade ice cream. Many online sites have recipes to make homemade ice cream in dozens of ways. Choose one you like and get to making memories and ice cream with your kids.
4.) Play yard games. Tag, Duck, Duck, Goose, Red Rover, and more are all classics that kids can still enjoy today.
5.) Play with sidewalk chalk and let loose.
6.) Create an obstacle course and have kids complete it.
7.) Ask kids to dress up and put on a teddy bear parade. They can make clothes for their bears with construction paper and art supplies then parade them around the yard or the neighborhood.
8.) Have a feast in the backyard. It can be breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but make it big and elaborate- a picnic worth remembering.
9.) Have a water balloon war.
10.) Help your kids set up a lemonade stand.
11.) Create a backyard car wash and have your kids wash their toys as you wash your car.
12.) Watch an outdoor movie. Create the whole movie theater set up with chairs, popcorn, fountain drinks, and all. Do it at night for a better movie theater environment.
13.) Plant a garden. Whether it is food, flowers, or even rocks, get kids outside and in the dirt to learn about making gardens. As you make your garden, tell them about all that you’re doing and why.
14.) Create and go on a backyard scavenger hunt. For older kids, make it a neighborhood hunt.
15.) Catch fireflies. Place them in a mason jar and watch them glow, then release them back into nature.
We do a lot of these things, too! Sidewalk chalk is one of my favorites!
Scavenger hunts are my kiddies fav thing to do,Thanks for these ideas will come in useful this summer.
These all sound like so much fun. I know my niece would love to make her own ice cream! 🙂
I love the ideas- I really like the yard art and the washing of toys car wash. I cannot wait to do these with my kids.
Informative List…need to pass this to my sister for my nephew because school is out and he needs stuff to do!
Water balloon fights are the best! I also love yard games. We used to play them every single day when I was a kid.
Fantastic ideas! I think I’ll try yard art with my son!
Great ideas! We are just into summer about a week and I am already battling the kiddo boredom! Sidewalk chalk followed by kiddie pool time is one of our boredom busters.
Great ideas! Sidewalk chalk and bubbles are a big hit here!
I just bought a box of 48 chalk colors. (SO many colors!) My son loves them. We’re also big on bubbles in our yard. 🙂
sidewalk chalk is a daily activity for us. I need to teach Red how to draw certain shapes so he can draw a city!
So many fun ideas! My boys love a water balloon fight!
I have a feeling this list will come in very handy in the coming weeks. Great ideas!
Sidewalk chalk and bubbles are big in my house right now. Great tips
Awesome bunch of fun things to do. Wonderful memories.
Great ideas. My kids pull out the “I’m bored” card quite often!
Love these! We have some rainy days coming up and I am going to come back to this list!
these are all great ideas. My kids are old enough to keep themselves entertained. Yay me!
I always grab my kids up and head outside for a picnic to sure bordem 🙂
Terrific list! Use the sidewalk chalk for old fashioned hopscotch!
LOVE these ideas! Getting the kids outside is SO important!
Two days into my child’s summer break and he was complaining how bored he was. Mind you it has rained for those two days. I need to try some of these activities. Thanks for sharing.
Fun list of things to do…we are a big board game family. A good board game seems to break all boredom in our house.
I haven’t caught fireflies in years! I’d love to take the kids
I am so sure my son would love the obstacle course idea. We will absolutely be doing that at some point this summer.
Great ideas. Some of these are timeless! I’ve never let my kids create yard art but even at 11 and 9, they would love that!
Fun ideas for summer. We love to use sidewalk chalk
homemade ice creammmm!!! yessss! and backyard games are my favoritessss! I love this post! I saw a lightning bug yesterday for the first time this year 🙂 <3
we love treasure hunts! I hide something outside and give clues for the kids to find it 🙂
Water balloon wars…oh it is on! We had one recently. My husband did not know what the kids were doing and happened to walk outside. They were ready with an ambush. He was a good sport and fun ensued.
I need to get an ice cream maker! Makign home made ice cream would be so much fun for the boys!
I’m on board for the water balloon fight and feast in the backyard! This is a great list and a lot of them can be for people of all ages!