Summer days with kids can feel wonderfully long and completely overwhelming, sometimes all at once. If you’re looking for easy ways to get everyone outside and make the most of the sunshine, this list is for you.
These 67 outdoor summer activities for kids are simple, fun, and made for real life. You won’t need fancy supplies, a full day of prep, or a big budget. Most ideas are free or low-cost and can be done right in your backyard, at a nearby park, or with things you already have on hand. Whether you need quiet ideas for toddlers or high-energy games for older kids, there’s something here that works for everyone.
Save this list for those long afternoons when the day drags and no one knows what to do next. Sometimes a little time outside is all it takes to turn the mood around.
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Table of Contents
Classic Backyard Activities
You don’t have to leave home to have a great summer day. These backyard activities are easy to set up, fun for all ages, and perfect for making the most of a sunny afternoon right outside your door.
Backyard Water Balloon Fight
Nothing says summer like a good old-fashioned water balloon fight. Invite a few neighborhood kids or just let siblings go at it in the yard. It’s messy, loud, and guaranteed to cool everyone off. Reusable ones are easier on your hands and save you from picking up tiny balloon bits all over the yard.
Water Balloon Games
If you’re already filling up water balloons, stretch the fun by turning them into backyard games. Try water balloon baseball, a classic toss-and-catch challenge, or get creative and make up your own relay race. It’s an easy way to keep the action going without needing a lot of extra prep.
Water Gun Fight
Water guns are a summer staple and make for an easy, action-packed backyard battle. Kids love chasing each other around, and it’s a great way to burn energy while staying cool. Set up a simple filling station with a few large buckets of water so they can reload quickly and keep the fun going.
Host a Backyard Olympics
Set up your own mini Olympics with events like races, long jump, frisbee toss, and obstacle courses. Let the kids compete, cheer each other on, and hand out homemade medals for fun.
Porch Dance Party
Turn on a playlist, grab a Bluetooth speaker, and have a dance party right on the porch. It’s an easy way to burn some energy and get everyone moving.
Set Up a Bubble Station
Fill a few containers with bubble solution or make your own and lay out wands, straws, and kitchen tools for the kids to try. A bubble machine adds some extra fun and keeps the bubbles flowing while little ones run around and pop them.
Water Table Play
A water table is a toddler favorite for good reason. Fill it with clean tap water (just in case someone sneaks a sip) and let the kids splash, scoop, and pour to their heart’s content. It’s an easy way to keep little ones cool and busy for hours.
Slip’n Slide Fun
A slip and slide is another summer classic that’s surprisingly easy to set up. You can grab one at just about any big-box store, or DIY it with a long sheet of plastic, a little dish soap, and a hose. Once it’s ready, the kids will be sliding and laughing for hours.
Sprinkler Fun
One of my favorite summer memories as a kid was running through the sprinkler in the backyard. You can go fancy with character sprinklers, but honestly, a basic garden hose does the trick. Just turn it on, let the kids jump through, and enjoy a moment of peace while they wear themselves out.
Backyard Toy Fishing
Fill a kiddie pool with water and toss in small plastic toys, rubber ducks, or even kitchen items like measuring cups. Give the kids nets, slotted spoons, or tongs and let them fish things out. It’s a low-effort setup that keeps little hands busy and cool, especially on extra hot days.
Neighborhood Adventures
You don’t need to travel far to find fun. These simple outings around your neighborhood can turn an everyday walk or bike ride into something special.
Take a Nature Walk
With the weather finally cooperating, it’s the perfect time to get outside and explore together. Head out for a walk around the neighborhood, a nearby park, or even just wander through your own backyard. Take it slow and notice the plants, bugs, and birds along the way. It’s a simple way to connect with nature and spend some time together.
Plan a Park Tour
Challenge yourselves to explore a new park every week this summer. Make it official by picking a regular “park day,” so the kids know it’s coming and can get excited. You can even put together a fun little “park passport” for them to fill out with drawings, stickers, or notes about what they liked at each one. It turns a simple outing into a mini adventure, and you just might discover a new favorite park along the way.
Ride Bikes or Scooters Around the Neighborhood
Grab the helmets and head out for a spin around the block. Whether it’s bikes, scooters, or both, it’s a great way to get some energy out.
Play Neighborhood Bingo
Turn an ordinary walk into a game with a simple round of neighborhood bingo. Make a bingo card with things your kids might spot along the way, like a birdhouse, a red car, someone walking a dog, or a yellow flower. They’ll stay engaged the whole walk trying to mark off each square, and you might be surprised how much more they notice.
Collect Wildflowers and Leaves for a Craft
During your walks or backyard exploring, gather a few wildflowers, leaves, or interesting bits from nature. Once you’re home, turn them into simple crafts. Try making a collage by gluing them onto paper or show the kids how to do leaf rubbing with crayons. It’s an easy way to turn outdoor fun into quiet, creative time.
Play Frisbee at the Park
Grab a frisbee and head to a nearby park for some simple outdoor fun. Whether you’re tossing it back and forth or making up your own challenges, it’s an easy way to stay active all summer long.
Group Games and Playdates Outside
When you’ve got a few extra kids around, these games are perfect for big energy and big laughs. They’re ideal for playdates, cousins, or spontaneous neighborhood meetups.
Capture the Flag
Get a group of kids together for a classic game of capture the flag, whether at the park or in your backyard. For a summer twist, mix in water balloons, sprinklers, or other fun extras to keep things cool and exciting.
Obstacle Course Challenge
Set up an obstacle course in the yard using whatever you have on hand—cones, jump ropes, pool noodles, or even sidewalk chalk. Invite a friend over and take turns racing through.
Kickball or Wiffle Ball Game
Turn the backyard or driveway into your own mini ballpark. You don’t need official gear or a big group. Just a ball, something for bases, a few willing players and you can have fun all afternoon.
Backyard Scavenger Hunt
Make a simple list of things for your kids to find outside, like a smooth rock, something red, a pinecone, or a flower. You can explore the yard together or turn it into a timed challenge for older kids. It’s a fun way to get them moving and paying attention to the world around them.
Red Light, Green Light or Duck Duck Goose
Sometimes the old-school games are still the best. Grab a few kids and play simple favorites like red light, green light or duck duck goose. No setup needed, just a patch of grass and some ready-to-run legs.
Water Relay Races
Fill two buckets with water and grab some big sponges. Kids can race to soak their sponge, run to an empty bucket, and squeeze it out. Keep going until one team fills their bucket.
Backyard Limbo or Musical Chairs
Turn up the music and play classic games like limbo or musical chairs right in the backyard. They’re simple to set up, get everyone laughing, and work for almost any age.
Get Creative Outside
These activities give kids a chance to express themselves while soaking up the sun. You don’t need fancy supplies, just some imagination and a little space to make a mess.
Paint with Water
Hand your kids some old paintbrushes and a bucket of water, and let them “paint” pictures on the sidewalk, driveway, or fence. They’ll love watching their artwork appear and disappear as it dries, and it’s an activity they can do again and again with zero cleanup.
Decorate the Sidewalk with Chalk
Sidewalk chalk is an easy, inexpensive way to let creativity run wild. Whether they’re drawing flowers, hopscotch boards, or their favorite cartoon characters, kids will love turning the driveway or sidewalk into their own colorful canvas.
Make DIY Bird Feeders
Spread peanut butter on pinecones, roll them in birdseed, and hang them from a tree or porch rail. Kids will love making them, and it’s fun to watch which birds stop by for a snack.
Rescue the Frozen Toys
Freeze small toys inside containers of water to make blocks of ice, then hand your kids some plastic tools, spoons, or squirt bottles of warm water to help “rescue” them. It’s part science experiment, part pretend play, and a great way to stay cool while staying curious.
Set Up a Mud Kitchen
Gather some old pots, pans, spoons, and containers, then let the kids go wild with dirt, water, and imagination. Whether they’re whipping up mud pies or making pretend soup, a backyard mud kitchen is messy, creative fun that keeps them entertained for ages.
Educational Outside Activities
Play and learning can absolutely go hand in hand. These ideas sneak in a bit of science, nature, or hands-on discovery while keeping things fun.
Make and Race Nature Boats
Use paper, leaves, bark, or other nature finds to create little boats, then race them in a kiddie pool, puddle, or shallow stream. Kids can experiment with shapes, sizes, and even tiny sails to see what floats best and moves fastest. Try adding small weights like pebbles or coins to test how it affects balance and speed. It’s a fun mix of outdoor play, creativity, and a little hands-on science.
Start a Backyard Bug Journal
If you’ve got a little bug lover at home, turn their curiosity into a backyard adventure. Grab a magnifying glass and a bug journal, then head outside to see what insects are crawling, flying, or hiding nearby. They can draw what they find, write down names, or look them up later. It’s a simple way to explore nature and learn a little science along the way.
Make Solar Oven S’mores
Turn a sunny afternoon into a fun treat with a DIY solar oven. All you need is a pizza box, some foil, plastic wrap, and a few s’mores ingredients. Let the kids build their own s’mores, then place them in the solar oven and watch as the sun slowly melts everything together.
Plant a Mini Garden
Let kids get their hands dirty by starting a small garden of their own. You can plant sunflower seeds in plastic cups or try herbs and veggies in pots or garden beds. Watching something grow day by day is a great way to build patience, responsibility, and a little excitement each morning.
Measure the Shadows
Head outside with some sidewalk chalk and trace your child’s shadow at different times of day. Come back later to trace it again and see how much it’s changed. It’s a simple activity that gets kids thinking about the sun, time, and how the world moves around them.
Sink or Float Water Bin
Fill a large tub or bin with water and gather random items from around the yard or house. Before dropping each one in, have the kids guess whether it will sink or float. It’s a fun, hands-on way to explore basic science concepts with everyday objects.
Do a Simple Science Experiment
Take the fun outside and try hands-on experiments like vinegar and baking soda reactions, color mixing, or other kid-friendly science ideas. It’s a great way to keep kids learning while they play. Check out our favorite summer science activities here.
Build with Nature
Challenge your kids to build a tower, bridge, or structure using only natural materials like sticks, rocks, leaves, and bark. It’s a great way to encourage problem-solving and creativity while sneaking in a little talk about balance, design, and what makes something sturdy.
Quiet Time Outdoor Activities
These simple ideas are perfect for when kids need a break from the noise, or when you’re all just craving something calm and easy.
Read Books Outside
Bring reading time outdoors and find a shady spot to settle in with a good book. Whether you’re reading aloud to your toddlers or your older kids are quietly reading on their own, it’s a peaceful way to slow down and enjoy the fresh air together. And if they’re working on a summer reading program, it’s a great way to make progress without it feeling like a chore.
Relax with a Puzzle Outside
Bring a puzzle out to the yard and settle in on a blanket. It’s a peaceful way to pass the time, especially in the shade.
Make Your Own Playdough
Homemade playdough is quick to mix up with ingredients you probably already have. Set the kids up with some tools or natural items like leaves and rocks and let them shape whatever comes to mind.
Nature Journaling
Give kids a notebook and some colored pencils, then head outside and let them draw or write about what they see. It’s a quiet way to slow down and really notice the world around them.
Outdoor Yoga for Kids
Roll out a blanket or yoga mat in the yard and guide your kids through a few simple stretches or poses. It’s a peaceful way to start the day, get some movement in, and enjoy the fresh air together.
Outdoor Painting
Set up a little painting station outside and let the kids use nature as their inspiration. Whether they’re painting flowers, trees, or just making a colorful mess, it’s a fun way to get creative. Use washable paints to keep cleanup simple, especially since most of it can be rinsed off right in the yard.
Outdoor Eats and Treats
Something about eating outside just makes it feel more fun. These ideas let kids help with the prep, enjoy the fresh air, and turn everyday snacks into something a little more memorable.
Pack a Picnic
Pack a picnic and enjoy eat outside together complete with a cute blanket and basket. Your kids will have tons of fun in the kitchen preparing your meal and then will enjoy some great vitamin D eating outside.
Host a Lemonade stand
Bring out the future entrepreneurs in your kids and have a lemonade stand! Set up a table in front of your house or street corner and let your kids sell goodies to the neighborhood. This is a great opportunity to teach your kids about finances and how to run a business while having fun in the summer.
And they don’t just have to sell lemonade! Let your kids get creative and come up with their own business ideas. Under adult supervision of course.
Make Your Own Popsicles
Let your kids create their own juice and smoothie recipes and freeze them in easy popsicle molds. These classic summer treats are so much fun to eat outside on a warm summers day and so much better for you than the store bought versions.
Build-Your-Own Snack Board Picnic
Let kids pick and prep their favorite fruits, crackers, cheese, and dip for a fun “snack board” style meal outside.
Backyard Smoothie Bar
Set up a little table outside with fruit, juice, and yogurt, and let the kids create their own smoothies. If you have a cordless or portable blender, it’s even more fun to mix them up right on the spot.
Make Fruit Kabobs
Set out a variety of cut-up fruits and let the kids build their own kabobs. It’s a hands-on snack that lets them mix, match, and maybe even try something new.
Pretend Play Café
Let the kids set up an outdoor restaurant or snack stand using toy food or simple real snacks like crackers and fruit. They’ll love taking orders, serving “customers,” and getting creative with their menu.
Evening Outdoor Activities
When the day winds down and the air cools off, it’s the perfect time to enjoy something a little slower. These activities help you soak up those last hours of daylight and ease into a cozy summer night.
Have a Backyard Movie Night
Pop some popcorn and set up a screen with a projector in your backyard and enjoy a family movie in the summertime. You can make it cozy with blankets, pillows, camping chairs, or even air mattresses. Just don’t forget the bug spray!
Roast Marshmallows
Whether it’s over a fire pit or a small grill, roasting marshmallows is a summer must. Add chocolate and graham crackers for classic s’mores or just enjoy them golden and gooey.
Backyard Camping
Pitch a tent right in your own yard and turn an ordinary night into a camping adventure. Add sleeping bags, a few flashlights, and some s’mores, and you’ve got all the fun without leaving home.
Shadow Puppet Show
Use a flashlight and a wall or sheet to put on a shadow puppet show. Make shapes with your hands or cut out simple figures from paper. It’s a creative way to wind down at night, especially if you come up with a story together.
Stargazing
When the sun goes down, lay out some blankets in the backyard and look up at the stars. You can point out constellations or simply enjoy the quiet evening together.
Flashlight Tag
If your kids are up for some after-dark fun, flashlight tag is a great twist on the classic game. Instead of tagging with hands, players use their flashlight beam. If the light hits you, you’re it!
Glow Stick Dance Party
Crack a few glow sticks, turn on some music, and let the kids go wild as it starts to get dark. Toss in some glow bracelets or necklaces to make it feel a little extra. It’s the kind of thing that feels like magic to them and takes almost no effort from you.
Easy Local Outings
Take advantage of what is already available in your local community. These outings don’t take much planning or money, but they can break up the week, get you out of the house, and give your kids something new to look forward to.
Check Out Summer Library Events
Sign up for your local library’s summer reading program and see what activities they have lined up. Many libraries offer story times, craft sessions, and special events just for kids. It’s a great way to stay busy, cool off, and keep those reading habits going.
Ride a Local Trolley, Train, or Bus Just for Fun
You don’t have to be headed anywhere special to hop on public transit. A quick ride on a local trolley, city bus, or even a mini train at the park can feel like a big adventure for little kids, especially if it’s something new.
Attend a Free Outdoor Movie Night
Check your local events calendar for outdoor movie nights in the park. Bring a blanket, some snacks, and settle in for a relaxed evening. Most start early enough to work for younger kids too.
Watch Planes at a Small Local Airport
Pack snacks and park near a local airstrip to watch the planes take off and land. Many small airports even have viewing areas just for this.
Head to the Splash Pad
Cool off on a hot day by visiting a local splash pad. Kids can run, jump, and play in the water while you relax nearby with a drink and a little shade.
Check Out a Local Nursery or Garden Center
Wander through a local garden center and let your toddler explore the colors, textures, and smells. Many have fountains, koi ponds, or butterfly gardens to discover. Bring a kid-sized watering can and turn it into a fun little field trip.
Go Berry Picking or Visit a Flower Farm
Take a trip to a local berry patch or flower farm and let the kids help pick what they like. It’s a fun way to spend time outside, try something new, and bring home a little piece of summer.
Go on a Hike
Find a nearby trail and take the kids on a nature walk beyond the backyard. Look for birds, spot animals, or count how many different types of plants you can find. It’s a great way to explore together and enjoy a change of scenery.
Enjoy an Outdoor Concert
Check your local community calendar for free outdoor concerts this summer. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket, and enjoy some family time with good music and fresh air.
Visit a County or State Fair
If there’s a fair nearby, plan a day to check it out. From animals and food to rides and live shows, it’s a fun way to mix up your usual summer routine.
Visit a Local Farmers Market
Take the kids to the farmers market and explore everything it has to offer. Along with fresh produce and treats, you’ll often find live music, handmade crafts, flowers, and even face painting or kids’ activities. It’s a fun way to spend a morning supporting local and enjoying something a little different together.
Whether you’ve got a whole day to fill or just need something to do before dinner, these summer outdoor activities are all about keeping things simple. Most are free or low-cost and require little more than what you already have at home. No big budget or planning required, just easy ways to enjoy time outside together and make some good memories along the way.
So the next time the kids are bouncing off the walls or everyone just needs a change of scenery, come back to this list. A little sunshine and a simple idea can turn the whole day around.
Have a favorite outdoor activity that always works for your crew? I’d love to hear it in the comments.
