10 Outdoor Summer Activities to Have Fun and Create Memories with Your Kids
Ahhh.. the summer months. They start out with such promise. So many things to do, activities to plan, days to enjoy with the kids. After all, we only have 18 or so summers with our kids, so we have to make the days count, right?
Then…. You flip the calendar to July and you find the summer doldrums. It’s hot. It’s humid. It’s hard to come up with new ideas of ways to entertain your kids. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered!
Check our Top 10 list of outdoor activities to enjoy with your kids. Most of these activities are free, and they all come with many opportunities for your kids to use their imaginations and burn off some energy. These ideas also provide great opportunities for you to teach your kids about their world and all of God’s creation. Try them out – and then let us know your favorite activities that we may have left off of our list.
1. Visit a neighborhood park
Sometimes we forget just how fun a park can be. Let your kids swing, slide, and dig in the sand. Chase a ball, blow some bubbles, or run around being silly. Some parks even have train rides and little-kid-friendly rollercoasters.
2. Go on a nature walk
Hit a trail and explore nature. Talk about the different trees, flowers, and animals you may run across. Name the different colors you see on the trees and flowers. Smell the different fragrances. Count how many birds you see or how many streams you cross. Make up fun adventure stories as you walk.
3. Visit your local zoo
Kids of all ages love the zoo. Pick a great day, grab a friend, and head out to visit the animals. Many zoos have special exhibits throughout the year where children can pet or feed some of the animals. Zoos also often have short presentations where kids can learn more about their favorite animals.
4. Have a picnic
Pack a picnic lunch and take it to a park – or even just to your own backyard. Let your kids help you pick the menu, grab a blanket or towel, and enjoy eating outdoors. After you eat, lie back on the blanket, and look for clouds shaped like animals. Or, grab a late night snack and stargaze before bed. Look for shooting stars, and help older kids identify the moon, planets, and constellations.
5. Go to a ballgame
Grab a friend and catch a ballgame. Many minor league baseball teams have affordable tickets as well as playground areas and special activities for kids. No minor league teams in your area? Check with your local recreation department. They’ll undoubtedly have a schedule for baseball, softball, soccer, and other youth sports. Bonus if you can cheer for a sibling’s or a neighbor’s team!
6. Catch a concert
Several communities have free concerts in the park during the summer months. Pack a blanket and some snacks and enjoy a local performance. You can talk (quietly or during breaks!) about the different instruments and let your kids dance nearby while the musicians perform.
7. Visit a splash pad
Need to keep cool? Find a local splash pad. Kids love trying to figure out which fountain will shoot water next or when the buckets will dump water!
8. Go fishing
Many towns have community ponds where residents can fish (just check local rules for licensing requirements). If your kids are too young or you don’t want to worry about baiting a hook, head to your local pond anyway. Many of the fishermen and women would be happy to let your child see and touch a fish they’ve caught. You can talk about how the scales feel, the difference between saltwater and freshwater fish, and what kinds of fish are in your area.
9. Experiment outdoors
Kids are curious creatures, and you can introduce science to them in a number of ways. Little kids love textures and colors. Set up a station in your backyard or on your porch where they can play with playdoh, slime, or finger paint. You can find recipes online to make your own playdoh and slime if your kids are old enough (with your supervision, of course) to measure and combine ingredients. You can even use food coloring to color different glasses of water and let your kids combine them to create new colors. If your kids are old enough, try the Mentos and Diet Coke experiment. Just dress your kids in play clothes, and be prepared for them to get messy!
10. Plant flowers or vegetables
Plant flowers in a flower bed or flower pot. Talk about how to take care of the flowers and how they grow. Teach your kids why plants need sunlight and water. Grow some of your own food. Plant vegetables or even herbs and use them in a dish when they’re ready to harvest. You can also make arrangements to visit a community garden and ask volunteers to show your kids the different plants and how to care for them.
We love this list because it offers fun ways to teach your kids about nature – and about God’s creations. Your kids will have fun – and we’re betting you will, too! What activities would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments!
At One by One, we mentor and educate moms to parent well. The years between birth and three are critical to a child’s brain development. We love activities that help children develop brains that are capable of any challenge! If you would like to learn more about One by One and how we help moms become their children’s first and best teachers, click here.