Summer Activities for Kids

Summer is a time of endless possibilities for children. Bright sunny days, longer hours, and a break from school. But as much as kids look forward to the freedom of summer, keeping them entertained and engaged at home can be a challenge for parents. If you’re trying to minimise your child’s screen time and want to help them learn new skills, there are plenty of fun and educational activities to keep them happy and active, all summer long.

Outdoor Activities for Kids in Summer

When the weather is warm and inviting, there’s no better way for kids to expend energy and learn than by spending time outdoors. Whether in the backyard or on a local adventure, summer sports for kids promote physical health, cognitive development, and social skills. Here are a few ideas to make the most of your summer days.

Sporty Activities for Young Children

For young children, introducing sports in a playful and fun way is a perfect summer activity. Kids summer sports​ can help children develop motor skills, coordination, teamwork, and discipline. Simple games like “Simon Says,” hopscotch, or soccer are great for keeping little ones moving while learning the basics of sports. Set up a mini obstacle course in the backyard with items like cones, hula hoops, or jump ropes to challenge their agility.

You can also teach them new skills such as throwing, catching, or kicking with soft balls or beach balls. Organise a family relay race where everyone gets involved—race to the mailbox, do a silly dance, and run back. The focus should always be on fun and inclusion rather than competition.

At-Home Water Park

An at-home water park is the ultimate way to stay cool and entertained during the hot summer months. If you don’t have a pool, a simple sprinkler or inflatable water slide can create hours of fun. Set up a slip-and-slide in the backyard, fill up a kiddie pool with water toys, have a water balloon fight, or create other exciting water-based games.

For an added educational element, you can introduce fun science lessons about water, such as the water cycle or how water interacts with different materials. With a little imagination, an afternoon of splashing can quickly turn into a valuable lesson about nature.

Getting Crafty this Summer

Crafting is one of the most creative activities you can do with children. It encourages imaginative thinking, fine motor development, and problem-solving skills. It can be adapted for children of all ages, and during summer, it provides a great way to cool down indoors or engage in some quiet time outside. Best of all, summer crafts for kids​ offer opportunities for little ones to express themselves and work on projects they can feel proud of.

Painting With Ice Blocks

Painting with ice blocks introduces a new texture and experience for young children, and is especially fun on a hot summer day since it allows kids to enjoy the cool sensation of the ice. Simply freeze some water in an ice cube tray and add a little food colouring to create vibrant colours. Once frozen, give your child a few blocks of ice and some paper. As the ice melts, kids can paint with the coloured ice, creating beautiful watercolour-like designs.

This activity is a wonderful way to explore colour mixing, temperature differences, and texture. Encourage your little one to experiment with different motions—slow strokes or quick scribbles—and watch as they discover how the ice behaves.

Creating Outdoor Bird Feeders

Encouraging kids to make their own bird feeders is a great way to bring nature to your backyard. Using simple materials like pinecones, peanut butter, birdseed, and string, kids can create their own DIY bird feeders and watch as they attract local wildlife. This project teaches children about the environment, animals, and the importance of taking care of nature.

Start by tying a string to a pinecone, then spread peanut butter all over it. Roll the pinecone in birdseed, and hang it from a tree branch. Children can then sit quietly and observe the birds, learning about the different species that visit the feeder.

Water Gun Paintings

Water gun paintings are an exciting way to combine physical activity with art. Get your guns out, fill them with diluted paint, and use them to spray large sheets of paper, cardboard, or a blank canvas. Kids will love shooting the paint and watching it splatter across the paper in creative patterns. Not only is this a great way to get some energy out, but it also allows children to experiment with colours and design in a dynamic, original way. This activity is best done outside, so everyone can enjoy getting a little messy!

Learn More About Having Fun in the Sun with The Green Elephant

Looking for more ways to keep your little one engaged this summer? At The Green Elephant Rosebery, we offer an enriching environment where children can explore, learn, and play in a sun-smart and educational setting. With summer activities for kids​ designed to promote social, cognitive, and physical development, children can enjoy the sunshine while learning new skills. 

Why not take a tour and see how our innovative approach to childcare can inspire your summer at home with engaging activities that encourage fun, play-based learning.