21 Cool Summer Activities for Kids {boredom busters}

There are summer activities for kids which are fun things to do during summer vacation. These boredom busters ideas include crafts, games, printables, outdoor and indoor activities, as well as educational activities. With different summer activities for kids, boredom won’t be a problem. Go through a list of fun summer activities for kids to do, guaranteed to keep them busy the whole summer through.

The start of summer can bring mixed feelings – it’s fun to have more time outside, but it can also be difficult to entertain children. Learn about different summer ideas for the entire family to enjoy here.

What Is The First Day Of Summer

Wondering when the first day of Summer is? This year the first day of summer is Friday, June 21st! The first day of summer {or the summer solstice} is the longest day of the year. It’s the point when the sun reaches its most northern point in the sky at noon. From this date on, the days start getting shorter. It’s the perfect time to think about outdoor summer ideas for your kiddos and family to enjoy!

Easy and Fun Summer Ideas

Summer can be a fun and busy time of year for kids. Learn some easy and fun summer ideas to keep kids busy and have fun. Below are different things to do for your kiddo!

1. Popsicle Bookmark {free printable} ~ These popsicle bookmarks are a fun way to encourage your children to read over the summer! Print a free file and let your children color their popsicles. Add it to the book and it makes the perfect first Summerific gift!

2. Printable Summer Reading Log + Summer Reading List ~ Use these printable reading logs to encourage cool summer reading along with a list of 50 fun books to read this summer. I love how the logs look like old-fashioned library cards. Rebecca also has some adorable bookworm treat bag toppers. Use them for some gummy worm incentives.

3. I’m Bored Jar of Activities {Keeping Kids Busy} ~ While this jar was created for the long summer break, it might also be a great summer idea to have around during the holiday break as well! With this great tutorial you’ll learn how to create a cute little jar filled with great activities to keep the kiddos busy! She even includes a printable of all the activities so all you have to do is print and cut them out for a cool summer!

4. Printable Summer Bucket List  ~ The Summer is flying by and will be over before we know it. If you are still looking for things to do with the kiddos, download and print this FREE Summer Bucket list with 76 Summer Activities for Kids. It includes fun things to do like bowling, going to the park, dress-up, and balloon car races.

Summer Activities for Children

Summer is a fun time for both kids and adults. It’s the perfect time to explore cool summer ideas such as summer camps, outdoor activities, the great outdoors and summer jobs. Learn more here.

5. Lemonade Stand ~ Keep Calm and Drink Lemonade, this lemonade stand is so stink in cute! Fabric bunting banner, ruffled table cloth, and two adorable children it can’t get any better than this! Oh wait, it can, the printables are free downloads for more outdoor summer ideas.

6. Free Printable Citrus Splash Party Invitations ~ Summer is here and it’s time to party! Here’s a free printable citrus-inspired invitation perfect for your gathering. Whether you’re having friends over for a casual pool party, having a citrus inspired cocktail party on a warm evening, or heading out to lunch for a birthday celebration, print these bright and festive invitations out to get your guests ready for the fun! These would also be fab for an outdoor Summer baby shower.

7. Homemade Bubbles {Summer Fun} ~ Check out this homemade bubble recipe for an outdoor cool summer fun activity! Who knew that you could make bubbles using things you probably currently have in your kitchen! Your little ones will love helping to make them as well as playing with the final product!

8. Ice Chalk {Art Project} ~ Art doesn’t have to end at the end of the school year! This post features a super fun, cool summer way to create outdoor art! Kids of all ages will love these colored ice chalks!

9. Driveway Photography ~ Who would have thought that sidewalk chalk could be so much fun?! It’s definitely a creative outlet and fun activity for the family. This is a definite must for your summer bucket list, one of many things to do on their vacation.

10. First Day of Summer Ice Cream Party ~ How about starting the summer off with an ice cream party? Make your own popsicles and have an ice cone bar with cute homemade ice cream cone holders. Hanging accordion flowers and an ice cream cone box should round out the decorations.

Just add hungry kids.

11. Ice Cream Sundae Piñata ~ I’m in love with this ice cream sundae piñata idea. Not only is it totally original, the piñata only takes 30 minutes to make and it’s adorable. How cool would it be to surprise everyone on the first day of summer with a frozen piñata with ice cream sundae fixings?

12. Summertime Activities Bucket List {free printables} ~ There are different things to do this summer! Start your family’s summer bucket list. Print out ready made ideas, or make up your own and get started making some fun memories!

13. Journal Your Summer {School Age} ~ Encourage creative writing for your school age children throughout the summer with these summer journaling prompts. Try starting out with a sentence or two a day, but if that becomes too much just make a journal writing a weekly activity. You could even choose to wait and have your kids write in their journal at the end of summer to reminisce on all the fun they had before the beginning of the next school year.

14. The Deluxe Kid Wash ~ The Kid Wash is crafted almost entirely from PVC pipe, a material we love not just for its low cost (about $30 for all the pieces shown here) and durability, but also for its ease of use (with all those interconnecting pieces it’s like Tinkertoys for grown-ups).

15. DIY Water Blob ~ The ultimate water toy for kids. It’s made from two pieces of plastic sheeting sized 9×12 and duct tape.

16. Summer Sponge Bombs ~ Instead of water balloons, try making sponge bombs. They are made from cut up strips from a mop, sponges and drawer liners.

17. Heart Tie-Dye T-shirt ~ Make adorable heart tie-dyed t-shirts for both boys and girls. All you need is a white t-shirt, two colors of tie-dye, rubber bands, and a heart template. I promise if I can do it, you can definitely do it and everyone will be impressed!!

Cool Summer Treats for Kids

The hot days of summer are perfect for cooling off with a delicious treat. Here are a few easy to make recipes that the whole family can enjoy.

18. Patriotic Popsicles ~ If you are planning an all day 4th of July celebration, set out the supplies for the popsicles early in the day and let the kiddos construct their own delicious and healthy combinations. Then freeze them to be enjoyed while sitting outside watching fireworks.

19. Frosted Ice Cream ~ A quick and easy dessert idea for kiddos or pretty parties! Frosted Ice Cream is the picture perfect pink dessert. Made of strawberry ice cream and frosting.

20. Homemade Slurpees Using Kool-Aid ~ Slurpees are a favorite treat during the hot Summer. This recipe has a great money saving tip. Making your own home is simple and the kiddos will love it!

21. Jello Watermelon Slices {Edible Crafts for Kiddos} ~ A fun summer treat, learn how to use a lime and red Jell-o to create these fun watermelon-shaped gelatin treats.

More Fun Activities for Kids from TipJunkie:

• Here are Impressive Blowing Bubble Recipes to add to your kids activities!
• These Fun Handprint Art Activities for Children will complete your family bonding.
• On the hunt for Clever Cardboard and Cardboard Tube Crafts? Add this to your bucket activity list!
• Check out these Things to Make with Egg Cartons to brighten up your activity with kiddos.
• Boredom no more! Here are some Fun Spring Break Activities for Kiddos {boredom busters}.
• Looking for more fun activities? Check out these Summer Boredom Busters for Kids!