Summer Fun Ideas for Families
Summer is here!! It’s time to have fun and make unforgettable memories with your family. Here are 30 summer fun ideas for you to choose from. Take votes and see which ones your family would like to try - you have the whole summer!!
1. Backyard Camping Adventure
Pitch a tent in your backyard and have a camping adventure under the stars! Roast marshmallows, tell ghost stories, and enjoy the simplicity of nature right in your own backyard. Don't forget to bring along sleeping bags and flashlights for the full camping experience.
2. DIY Outdoor Movie Night
Turn your backyard into a cozy outdoor movie theater. Hang a white sheet or use a portable projector screen, set up some blankets and pillows, and gather around for a family movie night under the open sky. Don't forget the popcorn and snacks!
3. Nature Scavenger Hunt
Explore the great outdoors with a nature scavenger hunt. Create a list of items to find, such as pinecones, flowers, frogs, millipedes, and anything else someone might find. Set off on an adventure to discover them together. It's a fun way to connect with nature and learn about the world around you.
4. Water Balloon Piñata
Beat the summer heat with a water balloon piñata! Hang up a bunch of water balloons from a tree or clothesline, blindfold the kids, and let them take turns trying to burst the balloons with a stick. It's a refreshing twist on a classic game that's sure to keep everyone cool and entertained.
5. DIY Ice Cream Bar
Cool off on a hot summer day with a DIY ice cream bar. Set up a variety of toppings like sprinkles, chocolate chips, fruit, and whipped cream, and let everyone create their own delicious ice cream sundaes. It's a tasty way to beat the heat and get creative in the kitchen.
6. Glow-in-the-Dark Bowling
Transform your backyard into a glowing bowling alley with glow sticks and empty water bottles. Set up the bottles like bowling pins, activate the glow sticks, and take turns bowling in the dark. It's a unique twist on a classic game that's sure to be a hit with the whole family.
7. Mini-Golf Course
Create your own mini-golf course in your backyard using household items like cups, cardboard tubes, and ramps. Get creative with obstacles and challenges, and let everyone take turns navigating the course. It's a fun way to get active and unleash your inner golfer.
8. Art in Nature
Take your art supplies outside and let nature be your muse. Collect rocks, leaves, and flowers to use in your artwork, or create nature-inspired paintings and drawings. It's a relaxing and creative way to spend time together outdoor
9. Outdoor Water Painting
Turn your driveway or patio into a giant canvas with outdoor water painting. Fill up buckets with water and give the kids paintbrushes to create masterpieces on the pavement. The best part? The artwork disappears as the water evaporates, so you can paint again and again!
10. Family Olympics
Host your own family Olympics with a variety of fun and silly games like sack races, water balloon tosses, and three-legged races. Create makeshift medals out of ribbon and cardboard, and award them to the winners. It's a spirited competition that will have everyone laughing and bonding together.
11. DIY Tie-Dye Party
Host a tie-dye party in your backyard! Set up a designated tie-dye station with plain t-shirts, socks, or bandanas, and let everyone get creative with colorful dyes. It's a vibrant activity that results in one-of-a-kind wearable art. They have several inexpensive tie dye kits at Amazon.
12. Outdoor Picnic and Concert
Pack a picnic basket with your favorite snacks and head to a local park for an outdoor picnic and concert. Many parks host free summer concerts, so bring a blanket, relax, and enjoy the music together as a family.
13. Exploration Day at a Nature Reserve
Spend a day exploring a nearby nature reserve or wildlife sanctuary. Go for a hike, spot birds and animals, and learn about the local flora and fauna. It's a great opportunity to connect with nature and instill a love for the environment in your kids.
14. DIY Mini Water Park
Beat the heat with a DIY mini water park in your backyard! Set up sprinklers, water slides, kiddie pools, and water toys for hours of splashing fun. Don't forget the sunscreen and refreshments to stay cool and hydrated.
15. Family Volunteer Day
Dedicate a day to giving back to your community as a family. Volunteer at a local soup kitchen, animal shelter, community garden or cleaning up a nearby beach or park. It's a meaningful way to teach kids the importance of kindness, empathy, and helping others in need.
16. Outdoor Art Exhibition
Host an outdoor art exhibition showcasing your family's artistic creations. Hang up paintings, drawings, and crafts in your backyard or local park, and invite friends and neighbors to admire and celebrate your creativity. It's a fun way to share your talents with others and support each other's artistic endeavors.
17. DIY Science Experiments
Conduct fun and educational science experiments at home with simple household items. Create homemade slime, build a baking soda volcano, or make a DIY lava lamp. It's a hands-on way to spark curiosity and discovery in kids of all ages.
18. Create a Family Vision Board
Sit down as a family and create a vision board for the summer. Use magazines, photos, and drawings to visualize your goals, dreams, and aspirations for the season. Hang the vision board in a prominent place as a reminder to stay focused and motivated throughout the summer.
19. Outdoor Movie Marathon
Turn your backyard into an outdoor movie marathon with a projector and screen. Choose a theme like Disney classics, superhero movies, or family favorites, and settle in for a movie marathon under the stars. Don't forget the cozy blankets and snacks for the ultimate outdoor movie experience.
20. Family Game Night Under the Stars
Host a family game night under the stars with a selection of classic board games and card games. Set up a cozy outdoor gaming area with blankets and cushions, and enjoy friendly competition and laughter together as a family.
21. Family Bike Ride Adventure
Hit the trails or explore your neighborhood on a family bike ride adventure. Pack a picnic lunch, discover new paths, and enjoy the fresh air as you pedal your way to summer fun.
22. DIY Birdhouse Building
Get crafty and build your own birdhouses together. Use recycled materials or purchase a simple kit, decorate them with paint or markers, and hang them up in your backyard. It's a rewarding project that will attract birds and add charm to your outdoor space.
23. Create a Family Recipe Book
Spend time in the kitchen creating delicious family recipes together. Have each family member contribute their favorite recipe, take photos of the dishes, and compile them into a personalized family recipe book. It's a wonderful way to preserve memories and pass down cherished recipes for generations to come.
24. Nature Photography Walk
Grab your cameras or smartphones and embark on a nature photography walk. Explore parks, trails, or even your own backyard, and capture the beauty of the natural world through your lens. Challenge each other to find the most unique and creative shots.
25. Outdoor Yoga Session
Practice mindfulness and relaxation with an outdoor yoga session as a family. Find a quiet spot in your backyard or local park, lay out yoga mats or towels, and follow along with a family-friendly yoga video or guide. It's a peaceful way to connect with nature and each other.
26. Build a Fairy Garden
Spark imagination and creativity by building a magical fairy garden together. Use pots, plants, and miniature decorations to create a whimsical oasis for fairies to visit. Encourage kids to add their own special touches and watch as their imaginations come to life.
27. Family Book Club
Start a family book club and choose a book to read together over the summer. Set aside time each week to discuss the book, share your thoughts and favorite passages, and maybe even act out scenes together. It's a fun way to encourage reading and foster a love of literature as a family.
28. Create a Time Capsule
Capture memories of this summer by creating a time capsule as a family. Gather items like photos, drawings, letters, and small mementos that represent your summer adventures, and seal them in a container to be opened in the future. It's a special way to commemorate this time together and reflect on how much you've grown as a family.
29. Random Acts of Kindness Day
Spread joy and positivity with a family random acts of kindness day. Brainstorm kind gestures like leaving uplifting notes for strangers, baking treats for neighbors, or volunteering together at a local charity. It's a meaningful way to bond as a family while making a difference in your community.
30. Sunset Beach Bonfire
Head to the beach in the evening for a magical sunset beach bonfire. Pack marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate for s'mores, and bring along blankets and beach chairs for cozy seating. Watch the sun dip below the horizon, listen to the sound of the waves, and enjoy quality time together around the crackling fire. It's a memorable way to end the day and create lasting memories with your family.
Well there you have it, 30 summer fun ideas! We hope your family has a blast exploring, creating, and bonding together this summer!!