When the kids are out of school and your whole family is ready for some fun-in-the-sun adventures, try these nine outdoor summer activities for kids. Summer is the perfect season to have quality family time, with family games and activities. Take advantage of lazy Saturdays without homework and relaxing weekday evenings. These outdoors activities will encourage kids to be creative and active all summer long!

9 Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids

Outdoor Water Bed

Create your own outdoor water bed for kids to bounce on in the backyard! To make the water bed, fold plastic sheeting in half and duct tape the edges—leaving a small hole in the corner for your hose. Fill up the plastic with water and then tape the hole shut. Make sure you use a lot of tape to create a strong seal. Add glitter or toys into the water bed to make it even more entertaining for kids! Bounce and dance on your water bed until it springs a leak. Because this outdoor activity is easy and inexpensive to make, you can always make another one tomorrow!

Puzzle Picnic

Take your picnic to the next level by puzzling outside! As you feast on finger foods, lay out a puzzle on the ground or a picnic table. Puzzles are a fun way for kids to develop their problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination. Personalized puzzles, featuring your child’s name, are especially exciting for kids to put together and help them relate to the task at hand.

Roll a 3 and Splash Me Game for Kids

For this outdoor family activity, everyone sits in a circle around a pan full of water and rolls a pair of dice. But whenever someone rolls a double three, they get to smack the pan of water and splash everyone! Make sure you wear your bathing suit or clothes you don’t mind getting wet for this family game.

Chalk Driveway Board Game

Draw your own board game squares on your driveway using chalk, with a start and a finish. Kids must roll the dice to see how many spaces to move. Each square contains a different rule like: “sing a song”, “dance”, “go back two squares”, “skip a turn”, “hop three times”. The one to cross the “finish” square first wins! Kids will love to DIY and play their own board game. For more board game fun, try the personalized family board game Our Family’s Race Across the U.S.A. which turns your photos into game pieces!

Ladder Bean Bag Toss

For this summer activity, label the rungs of the ladder with different point values. Kids will try to throw bean bags through the rungs and rack up the most points. Play multiple rounds and offer prizes to cool off in the heat, like Popsicles and ice cream bars.

Ice Bowling

Cool off in the summer heat with an outdoor summer activity that puts a spin on the classic game of bowling! Make your own bowling balls by filling balloons with water and freezing them overnight. Fill up water bottles, add some food coloring, and place them outside as bowling pins. Kids will love rolling their icy bowling ball to knock down as many “pins” as possible! Make sure to hose down your bowling space with water, so the ice ball rolls more easily.

Make a Fairy Garden

Gardening is a perfect activity to teach kids about how plants grow. This summer activity is educational and lots of hands-on fun! Find a spot in your yard to create your own miniature garden. Kids can play with their small toys in the garden and use their imaginations to go on fairy adventures. Discover details on how to make your own fairy garden on our blog.

Sensory Water Tub for Toddlers

Fill up a large plastic bin with water and add items that are fun for toddlers to touch and feel. Include items like squishy balls, sand, ice cubes and plastic cups. Little ones will love exploring different objects with their hands. A sensory tub in the summer sun is the perfect way to keep cool and have a safe play experience.

Pool Noodle Race

Make your own race track with pool noodles! Cut a pool noodle in half vertically and tape the two halves together. Place them at an angle against a box or bench. Kids can roll marbles or toy cars down the pool noodle grooves and race. This outdoor activity for kids is easy to make and provides endless fun!

Make this summer one to remember and make happy family memories! Outdoor summer activities bring the whole family together and are also perfect to play at a child’s birthday party. Have a spectacular summer while the kids are out of school and make play a part of your every day.

Resources

http://myfrugaladventures.com/2013/06/how-to-make-a-giant-outdoor-water-bed/

http://www.toddlerapproved.com/2012/08/shark-and-water-themed-fun.html

http://www.the36thavenue.com/kid-activities-backyard-game-board/

https://www.landeeseelandeedo.com/summer-activity-idea-cousin-carnival/

http://www.learnplayimagine.com/2013/04/gross-motor-games-ice-bowling.html

https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/50-outdoor-summer-activities-for-kids/