70+ Summer Activities for Kids

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70+ Summer Activities for Toddlers is a fabulous collection of fun and easy summer activities for kids of all ages! Tons of ways to keep your toddler and preschooler busy during those long summer days!

As the warm sunshine beckons, and school doors close for summer break, it’s time to embark on a season filled with adventure, creativity, and endless possibilities. Summer is a time for children to explore, learn, and make lasting memories. In this blog post, we will introduce a variety of exciting summer activities that will keep kids entertained, engaged, and inspired. From outdoor adventures to creative projects, let’s dive into a world of summer fun that will make this season truly unforgettable for your little ones.

Fun Summer Activities

Summer is a time for exploration and discovery, and what better way to engage your kids than by immersing them in a world of exciting activities? Whether your child is an aspiring scientist, an outdoor adventurer, a budding artist, or a lover of games, this roundup has got you covered. We’ve carefully handpicked a collection of activities that will keep kids entertained, while also encouraging learning, creativity, and physical activity. From nature walks and scavenger hunts to water play, DIY crafts, and science experiments, this roundup is packed with options to suit all interests and preferences.

One of the greatest benefits of summer activities for kids is the opportunity to unplug from screens and engage in hands-on experiences. These activities not only provide a break from technology but also foster social interaction, imagination, and problem-solving skills. Whether your child is building sandcastles at the beach, experimenting with colorful slime, or learning about plants and insects in the garden, they are actively participating in experiential learning that enhances their cognitive development and overall well-being. So, let’s dive into this roundup of summer activities and get ready to create cherished memories with your kids.

WILL YOU TRY ANY OF THESE SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS? PIN IT FOR LATER

70+ Summer Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Paint

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Paint is a fun way to paint this summer with your toddler or preschooler. Made with only two ingredients, sidewalk chalk is a great way to get creative when its hot out! 

Shower Curtain Painting

Shower Curtain Painting is one of the most fun ways to paint and play this summer. Set up this unique canvas for your toddler or preschooler to paint and then wash! 

How to Make a Bubble Snake: Awesome Summer Activity

A bubble snake is your answer to summer boredom for your kids. Very inexpensive, s uper easy to make and even more fun to do!

Bubble Wrap Sea Turtle Craft

Create beautiful under the sea art with bubble wrap in this bubble wrap sea turtle craft! A great way to up-cycle bubble wrap!

Boat Rocking in the Waves Craft

Create a paper boat rocking in the waves!

Bubble Foam Sensory Bin for Toddlers

Here’s an easy way to make a bubble foam sensory bin for your toddler using just a few common ingredients you probably already have at home

Taste-Safe Bubble Foam for Babies & Toddlers

Check out this soft taste-safe bubble foam sensory play idea perfect for babies and toddlers who like to put things in their mouths.

Fizzy Sun Sensory Bin: Summer STEAM

Fizzy Sun sensory bin: summer STEAM activity is an easy toddler and preschooler activity. Create a sun using baking soda!

How to Make A DIY Water Wall for Kids

DIY Water Wall is an amazing STEAM activity for kids this summer! Its a great way to beat the summer heat!

Adorable Bubble Wrap Jellyfish Craft

Save that bubble wrap to make an adorable bubble wrap jellyfish craft! This easy craft is great for preschoolers and kindergarteners. 

Pinwheel Craft

Are you searching for a delightful and hands-on craft activity that will captivate your children’s imagination? Look no further than making a pinwheel!

DIY Slip ‘N Slide for Kids

If you’re looking for an activity that’s both fun and easy to set up, why not create a DIY slip ‘n slide for your kids?

Splatter Painting

Looking for a fun and colorful outdoor activity to do with your kids? Look no further than splatter painting!

Totally Awesome Sponge Popsicle Craft

Create delicious looking popsicles this summer with sponges! Sponge Popsicle Craft is a fun way to get crafty this summer with your kids!

Pool Noodle Water Wall

Pool Noodle Water Wall is a fun summer activity for kids of all ages! Turn those extra pool noodles into a fun STEAM activity!

Bubble Wrap Rainbow Stomp Painting

Are you looking for a fun outdoor art activity to do with your kids? Bubble wrap rainbow stomp painting is an colorful idea they will love.

Paint the Toys

If you’re looking for a fun and creative way to keep your kids busy this summer, why not try painting outdoor toys?

Fizzy Jungle

Are you looking for an interactive and educational activity that will captivate your children’s curiosity? Look no further than Fizzy Jungle!

DIY Kaleidoscope Craft

Are you ready to embark on a creative adventure with a DIY kaleidoscope that will captivate your imagination and dazzle your eyes?

Sandpaper Sandcastle Craft

Sandpaper Sandcastle Craft is a fun and easy craft for summer for toddlers and preschoolers. Create sandcastle using sandpaper and paint!

Free Printable Summer Colouring Pages for Kids

To add an extra splash of color to their summer days, we have curated a collection of free printable summer coloring pages.

How to Make Sand Slime

If you are new to slime making this recipe is for you! Super easy to make Sand Slime! The perfect summer sensory play idea for preschoolers all the way up to preteens!

Fly Swatter Painting

Fly Swatter painting is a fun and easy painting activity for toddlers and preschoolers. It makes a great outdoor art activity for summer! 

Spray Bottle Drawing

Spray Bottle Water Painting is a fun and super easy outdoor activity for kids! It is super easy to set up and clean up and a great way to get creative outside without the mess!

DIY Cardboard Tent

DIY Cardboard Tent Craft is a fun cardboard painting craft for kids. Create and decorate a cardboard tent and use it in pretend play this summer!

Sponge Boats Sensory Bin

Sponge boats sensory bin is fun and easy water sensory bin for kids. Take the activity outside in the summer and super size it or set it up indoors in a sensory bin! Lots of fun pretend play for all ages!

Lego Car Wash Sensory Bin

LEGO Car Wash Sensory Bin is a fun and easy sensory bin activity that your toddler or preschooler is going to love! Let them build and then wash their LEGO trucks and cars in their very own carwash!

Window Washing Activity

Window Washing Activity is a super easy and fun way to keep toddlers and preschoolers busy this summer!

Turtle Sticky Wall

Nature Turtle sticky wall is a fun and easy outdoor art activity for kids to do this summer. Create a turtle using nature!

Painted Pasta Necklace

Painted Pasta Necklace Craft for Kids is a fun and colourful craft perfect toddlers, preschoolers and even bigger kids. It’s a great indoor activity but it is also makes a fun summer craft!

Make A First Aid Kit Activity

Make a First Aid Kit is an easy activity for kids of all ages and a great way to help prepare for summer adventures and misadventures. Let your kids help put together a first aid kit for the whole family to use this summer and beyond! 

Fly Swatter Bubbles

Fly swatter bubbles is a super easy and fun summer activity for kids of all ages. No more spilt bottles of bubble mix. Just pour it all out and make all the bubbles in the world! 

Freeze Dance Outside

Take out your phone and a speaker and turn up the tunes outside! Play freeze dance in the sun for a change of pace.Or simply have a dance party outside. This activity did wonders to change the mood and tone of our day! There’s something about dancing like no body is watching outside in your backyard. Nobody wanted this activity to end.

Frozen Letters

In Icy Letters your little one will combine STEM learning with letter learning. There are so many ways to set this up and most of the time it will lead into self directed solo play, which the goal of every sensory bin I set up!

Giant Sponge Painted Fish

Sponge Painted Fish: Outdoor Summer Art is an easy painting activity for toddlers and preschoolers (and even older kids will get a kick out this). Paint a giantrainbow fish using sponges! This makes a great summer art activity!

Frisbee Bowling

Frisbee Bowling is super easy summer camp at home activity for kids. Takes minutes to set up and great for big and small kids! 

Mud Kitchen Set Up

Mud Kitchens are the best. In our backyard, it is the most played with toy all year round! Here are some tips to setting up your own mud kitchen for your kids! 

Ice Kitchen Water Table

Ice Kitchen Water Table is a great way to beat the heat this summer and to get the most use out of your water table with your toddler and preschooler! Think mud kitchen but with ice! 

Snack Necklace

Snack Necklaces is one of the best summer activities for kids of all ages. Let your little one create a necklaces out of snacks! Snack, create and snack again – the recipe for a super fun and easy idea this summer!

Sidewalk Chalk Road

Sidewalk Chalk Road is an easy and fun outdoor activity for toddlers and preschoolers using sidewalk chalk. Create a giant road this summer!

Stick Ladder

Stick Ladder Outdoor Gross Motor Activity is a fun and super easy outdoor summer activity for kids. Easy to set up and a great way to get kids moving!

Shaving Cream Sensory Play

Shaving Cream Sensory Play is fun and easy sensory bin for kids to try this summer. Water plus a lot of shaving cream equals tons of summer fun!

Campfire Pretend Play

Campfire Pretend Play for Kids is summer activity for kids. Let your little one make their own campfire to roast marshmallows, sing songs and more! 

  1. DIY T-shirt Painting: Sun Printing on Fabric – KCEdventures
  2. Easy Tissue Paper Wind Sock – Snotty Noses
  3. Easy Summer Activity: Ice Smash Game – Busy Toddlers
  4. Watermelon Science Activities – Baking Soda and Vinegar Science Experiment – Natural Beach Living
  5. Hammering Tees into Watermelons – Fun Learning For Kids
  6. Heat Wave Science Magic for Kids: Make Crayons – Mama Smiles
  7. How To Make Sand Slime – Little Bins for Little Hands
  8. Glowing Firefly Craft – Teaching Mama
  9. Exploding Watermelon Science – 123 Homeschool 4 Me
  10. Watermelon Sensory Bin – Fantastic Fun and Learning
  11. Sunscreen Painting: STEAM For Kids – Team Cartwright
  12. Simple Water Balloon Yoyos – Mom Brite
  13. Summer Water Fun for Kids – Slip N Slide Hack – Protecting Your Pennies
  14. Painting Ice – Busy Toddler
  15. Pouring Station Activity for Toddlers – Busy Toddler
  16. Homemade Sidewalk Chalk – Frogs and Fairies
  17. Gardening with kids – Wheelbarrow herb garden – My Bored Toddler
  18. Colorful Stained Glass Kites Window Display – Make and Takes
  19. Toddler Art Class: Foil Leaf Rubbings – Library Makers
  20. Paper Bag Kite – Some What Simple
  21. DIY Soda Bottle Terrarium For Kids! – Team Cartwright
  22. Make A Pop Shop: Cardboard Popsicle Craft – Creating Creatives
  23. Tissue Paper Firefly Craft for Kids – Powerful Mothering
  24. Backyard Obstacle Course for Kids – Happy Toddler Playtime
  25. Window Washing Activity – Happy Toddler Playtime
  26. Ball Painting – Happy Toddler Playtime

More Fun & Easy Summer Activities

Giant Water Beads – Happy Toddler Playtime

12 Yummy & Healthy Smoothie Recipes for Kids – Happy Toddler Playtime

35+ Amazing Water Table Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers – Happy Toddler Playtime

25+ Outdoor Water Activities to Keep Kids Cool This Summer

45+ Awesome Water Sensory Bins for Toddlers & Preschoolers

21+ Spray Bottle Activities for Toddlers

40+ Ice Play Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers – Happy Toddler Playtime

25+ Adorable Summer Crafts for Toddlers

21+ Amazing Summer Sensory Bins

Summer Camp for Kids

What are your kids doing this summer? Simply your days with the Summer Camp Package.

Our DIY Summer Camp Package has everything you need to create magical memories right in your own home. With 10+ captivating themes, 130+ engaging activities, and valuable tips for a memorable summer, this package is your passport to a season of fun and learning. Let’s dive into the details and discover why our camp package is the must-have resource for your best summer!

  • 10+ Weeks of Easy Themed Summer Camp Ideas for Kids 2-6!
  • 130+ creative summer activities, crafts, science experiments, sensory play activities and recipes and more.
  • Article: “10 Practical Tips for a Memorable Summer with Kids.”
  • Article: “Sibling Harmony: 10 Practical Tips for Keeping the Peace and Managing Sibling Conflict”
  • Full supply list for each week.

Looking for more summer activity ideas? Check out of these other round-ups for more ways to stay busy this summer:

  1. 40+ Fun & Easy Summer Crafts for Kids
  2. 25+ Outdoor Water Activities to Keep Kids Cool This Summer
  3. 40+ Awesome Outdoor Learning Activities for Kids
  4. 30+ Easy Outdoor Art Projects for Kids
  5. 60+ Awesome Outdoor Activities for Kids
  6. 45+ Awesome Water Sensory Bins for Toddlers & Preschoolers
  7. 40+ Water Table Activities for Toddlers
  8. 21+ Spray Bottle Activities for Toddler
  9. 20 Amazing Backyard Obstacle Courses
  10. 21+ Amazing Summer Sensory Bins
  11. 40+ Ice Sensory Play
  12. 12 Healthy Smoothie Recipes for Toddlers + Kids

Age Suitability For Summer Activities

This activity is good for kids 2 years and up. My kids are 4, 4, and 8 year old.

Mess Level

This is a mess level varies.

Difficulty to Create Summer Activities

Varies.

Skills Developed in Summer Activities

Sensory play, language development, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, imaginative play, creativity.

Toddler and Preschooler Curriculums, Books & TV Show!

Play2Learn Toddler & Preschool Programs for Curious Toddlers

There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!

But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.

Play2Learn for Toddlers includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.

Play2Learn Preschool which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years. That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again! 

These toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!

Click here for more information: Play2Learn

Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.

Book: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids

Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy at Amazon

Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.

Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.

Book: Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids

Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more. 

Find out more and grab your copy here.

Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.

Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids

Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast? The Big Riddle Book for Kids, of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles that show them how to think outside the box.

  • 350 riddles for kids—Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
  • Level up their skills—Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
  • Double-check their work—Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.

Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!

Designed for kids ages 6 years old and up.

TV Show: Curious Crafting

I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show Curious Crafting which launched in July 2022 on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube! Season 2 airs in the summer of 2023! We were also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.

Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.

In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create. 

Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.

This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up. 

WILL YOU TRY ANY OF THESE SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS? PIN IT FOR LATER

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2 comments on “70+ Summer Activities for Kids”

  1. Avatar photo
    Marina Teramond @ NMPL

    Without any doubts, this summer was wonderful and enjoyable, in particular, because of your article because I have two children of different ages who are in need of different types of entertainment. It is always a big problem for me to be able to satisfy the wishes of two of my children simultaneously, but your article helped me to implement it. Ball painting has become one of the best leisure ideas for my children. Not only did both of my children enjoy doing this and be thrilled, but I was engaged in this game together with them. You conquered our hearts with this game. Also, the second activity that we have done was “Freeze Dance Outside”. I subscribe to every word you said about this game and I can claim with confidence that my children were able to release all their energy and become full of new positive emotions. Your ideas are simply incredible and golden.

    1. Avatar photo
      happytoddlerplaytime

      Thank you so much for these kind words. It makes me so happy to hear that my ideas have brought joy and connection to an other family. ❤️❤️❤️