Summer is here and school is out, kids are ready to swap homework and early mornings for long days of fun and free time. While the excitement of summer break is hard to beat, parents often face the challenge of finding fun summer activities for kids: especially when temperatures climb and it's simply too hot to play outside.
If you're looking for indoor summer activities, at-home summer activities, or easy things to do with kids at home, you've come to the right place. To help you make the most of those sunny days at home, we've rounded up 10 activities using items you already have around the house. From creative crafts to hands-on games, these easy activity ideas will help reduce screen-time while helping everyone stay cool all summer long!
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1. Toy bath: Set up a large container full of water outside and you have the perfect doll/action figure/toy bath! Encourage your kids to take their toys for a dip. Add a little soap, sponges, cups, or bath toys, and suddenly you're running a full-service toy spa. Bonus: kids love playing parent to their toys, and the cleanup is part of the fun! |
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2. Living room camping: A blanket fort is basically a childhood rite of passage. Pull out the blankets, pillows, cushions, and flashlights to transform your living room into a campsite. You can make it extra special with a picnic lunch, campside story time, or even a pretend campfire made from construction paper. |
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3. Popsicle making: Turn snack time into an activity by making homemade popsicles together. Try freezing different fruits, juices, yogurt, or even blended smoothies. Want to sneak in some extra nutrition? Toss a handful of spinach or other veggies into the blender; your kids will never know. Then taste-test your creations and vote on the family favorite! |
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4. Paint with water: This activity feels almost magical to little kids. Hand them a few paintbrushes and a container of water, then let them "paint" the driveway, patio, deck, or fence. They'll create masterpieces that disappear as they dry, which somehow never gets old. Bonus: For even more creativity, make your own paint using crushed sidewalk chalk and water.
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| 5. DIY Splashpad: For babies and toddlers, sometimes a little water goes a long way. Pour a small amount of water into a baking sheet, storage bin lid, or shallow tray and add cups, spoons, bath toys, or sponges. It's a simple sensory activity that keeps little hands busy while helping everyone stay cool. |  |
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6. Ice recovery: A science experiment and a treasure hunt all in one! Freeze small toys, nature finds, or other little treasures inside a container of water. Then challenge your kids to rescue them using warm water, droppers, spoons, toy tools, or whatever they can think of. You can even add food coloring and watercolors for ice painting once the ice starts to melt! |
| 7. Car wash: Yes, it's technically a chore but your kids don't need to know that. Turn on some music, grab the hose, soap, sponges, and towels, and make this a fun family activity. You'll get a clean vehicle and the kids get a fun water activity. Everybody wins. |  |
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8. Water Balloon Target Toss: Draw targets on the driveway with sidewalk chalk and assign different point values to each one. Then let the kids test their aim by tossing water balloons at the targets. Bonus: use reusable water balloons or even soaked sponges work just as well for an easy eco-friendly option.
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| 9. Painted Rock Art: Go on a quick nature hunt around the yard or neighborhood and collect a few smooth rocks. Then break out the paint and let everyone get creative! Once they're dry, display them in your garden, leave them around town for others to find, or use them as colorful decorations around the house. |  |
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10. Sun Prints: Science and art in one! Collect leaves, flowers, or other interesting objects and place them on dark construction paper. Leave them face up in the sun for 2-6 hours. When you remove the objects, you'll reveal beautiful silhouettes that make for a simple and memorable summer keepsake. |
Have other ideas? Please email hello@leagueoffriends.nyc we’d love to hear from you!
Happy playing!!
Love, League of Friends