Looking for fun summer activities for kids? Summer is the perfect time to get outside, explore nature, create art, build STEM projects, and enjoy hands-on learning through play.
Whether you’re planning summer camp at home, filling long afternoons, or simply looking for screen-free activities that keep kids engaged, you’ll find plenty of ideas below.
Most Popular Summer Activities
Summer activities for kids include STEM projects, science experiments, art activities, outdoor games, nature crafts, sensory play, and printable activities. The best summer activities are easy to set up, use simple supplies, and encourage creativity, exploration, and hands-on learning.
If you’re not sure where to start, try these reader favorites:
- DIY Solar Oven
- Summer Slime
- Bubble Painting
- Fizzy Sidewalk Paint
- DIY Kite
- Rock Candy Crystals
- Painted Rocks
These activities combine science, creativity, outdoor play, and hands-on fun—everything summer should be!
Summer STEM Activities
Summer is the perfect season for STEM! Simple projects that encourage kids to build, test, design, and explore.
Try these favorite summer STEM activities:
- Paddle Boat
- Pool Noodle Marble Run
- Marble Maze
- Penny Spinner
- Roller Coaster Investigation
- Wind Powered Car
- Pool Noodle Structures
Kids can explore engineering, physics, chemistry, and problem-solving while having fun with simple materials.
👉 Explore More: We have even more fantastic Summer STEM Activities here
Summer Science Experiments
Turn summer into a season of discovery with hands-on science experiments that encourage experimenting, testing, and observing.
Popular summer science activities include:
- Rock Candy Crystals
- Bubble Science
- Fizzy Lemonade
- Slushie in a Bag
- Oreo Moon Phases
- Watermelon Volcano
- Fireworks in a Jar
- Canister Rocket
From chemistry and earth science to simple investigations, summer is a great time to explore how the world works.
👉 Explore More: Summer Science Experiments
👉 Explore More: Science Snacks for Kids
Summer Art Activities
Take art outdoors with colorful projects inspired by famous artists, process art, and summer themes.
Favorite summer art activities include:
- Bubble Painting
- Ice Painting
- Water Pistol Painting
- Tie Dye Paper Towels
- Kusama Watermelon Art
- Warhol Popsicle Art
- Ice Cream Famous Artists
Summer art is all about creativity, experimentation, and having fun. Below you’ll find links to additional activity ideas, including process art!
👉 Explore More: Summer Art Activities
👉 Explore More: Outdoor Art
👉 Explore More: Process Art for Kids
Nature Activities for Kids
Summer offers endless opportunities to explore the outdoors and connect with nature.
Try these simple nature activities:
- Nature Scavenger Hunts
- Pine Cone Crafts
- Nature Weaving Craft
- Flower Activities
- Leaf Rubbing
- Nature STEM Challenges
- Nature Would You Rather Cards
These activities encourage curiosity, observation, and appreciation for the natural world.
👉 Explore More: Nature Activities for Kids
Outdoor Activities for Kids
Looking for ways to get kids moving and playing outside? These easy outdoor activities are perfect for warm-weather fun.
Try:
- Try Puffy Sidewalk Paint
- Fizzy Sidewalk Paint
- Make a cloud viewer
- Make a sandbox volcano
- DIY Kite Flying
- Build a water wall
Many of these activities use inexpensive supplies and are easy to set up at home.
👉 Explore more ways to play and learn with outdoor activities for kids here!
Slime and Sensory Activities
Whip up a quick recipe of slime or playdough, or make a tropical sensory bin! Here are some favorites to get started with, both regular and taste-safe variations.
- Kool Aid Playdough
- Jello Playdough
- Strawberry Taste Safe Playdough
- Fruit Scented Slime
- S’mores Taste Safe Slime
- Tropical Sensory Bin
- Taste Safe Coconut Sensory Bin
👉 Explore More: Summer Slime Recipes
👉 Try Another: Homemade Playdough Recipes
👉 DIY: Sensory Activities for Kids
Summer Printables
Need a quick activity for a rainy day, travel, quiet time, or summer learning?
Our summer printables make it easy to add educational fun throughout the season.
Find:
- Summer Coloring Pages
- Summer Color By Number
- Summer Would You Rather Questions
- LEGO STEM Challenge Cards
👉 Explore More: Summer Printables
Free Summer Activity Starter Guide
Need a few easy ideas to get started?
Grab our FREE Summer Activity Starter Guide featuring classic summer activities, planning pages, and observation sheets to help kids explore, create, and enjoy the season. The guide includes a Summer Plan page, a collection of classic summer activity ideas, and a Summer Observations page.
Grab the Classic Summer Fun Pack
Want everything in one place?
The Classic Summer Fun Pack includes 25+ screen-free activities featuring STEM projects, science experiments, art activities, outdoor fun, nature crafts, sensory play, scavenger hunts, challenge cards, and printable activities.
Perfect for summer break, camps, homeschool, grandparents, and busy families looking for easy ways to keep kids creating, building, exploring, and learning all season long.
👉 Grab the printable Classic Summer Fun Pack here
Frequently Asked Questions
What are fun summer activities for kids? Some of the best summer activities include STEM projects, science experiments, outdoor games, art activities, nature crafts, scavenger hunts, and printable challenges. Look for activities that encourage creativity, exploration, and hands-on learning.
How do I keep kids busy during summer break? A mix of outdoor play, science experiments, art projects, printable activities, and nature exploration can help keep kids engaged throughout the summer. Rotating different types of activities helps maintain interest and excitement.
What are some screen-free summer activities? Try building a kite, growing rock candy crystals, painting rocks, making slime, creating bubble art, exploring nature, or completing STEM challenges using everyday supplies.
What are easy summer activities to do at home? Many summer activities use simple household materials. Bubble painting, sidewalk paint, scavenger hunts, solar ovens, homemade playdough, and water play activities are all easy options for home.
Make Summer STEM a Blast!
From slime and bubbles to nature walks and camp weeks—this Summer bundle is your one-stop summer STEM solution. Over 11 hands-on activity packs to make this your most fun and educational summer ever!
