Summer days with little ones are full of magic—but also full of “What can we do now?” moments. As a mom of two, I know how important it is to have a few simple, screen-free activities in your back pocket that don’t require a trip to the craft store or a huge mess to clean up.
Here are some of our favorite easy summer activities for toddlers and kids, using things you likely already have around the house. They’re low-prep, kid-tested, and perfect for warm-weather play.
Easy Summer Crafts for Toddlers
🎨 Sponge Painting with Water
Cut up old sponges, grab a few bowls of water, and let your little artist "paint" the driveway, fence, or even a pile of rocks. It’s mess-free, cool, and dries up in minutes.
🍦 Pretend Ice Cream Stand
Use cotton balls or playdough as pretend scoops, and set up an imaginary ice cream shop with reusable cups and spoons. It’s sweet, simple, and perfect for sparking creativity.
🌈 Color Sorting Picnic
Lay out a blanket and grab blocks, toys, or snacks. Have your toddler sort everything by color—an activity that’s part play, part learning, and part snack time.
🧃 Juice Box Boats
Rinse out empty juice or milk cartons and turn them into mini sailboats for the kiddie pool, bathtub, or a big bowl of water. Add paper sails, straws, or stickers for extra flair.
Fun Ways to Beat the Summer Heat
🧊 Ice Painting
Toss some ice cubes into a tray or water table and let kids paint them with watercolors or food coloring. It's a fun way to cool off while getting a little messy.
❄️ Frozen Toy Rescue
Freeze small toys (think: Legos, cars, animals) in bowls of water overnight. The next day, hand your kid a squirt bottle, measuring cup, or toy hammer and let them “excavate” their frozen treasures. Hours of focused fun!
Whether you’re hanging at home or outside in the yard, these easy summer activities are perfect for keeping kids engaged while you (mostly) keep your sanity.
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Hope these ideas bring a little more fun—and a little less “what now?”—to your summer!
xx,
Megan
Founder, League of Friends