20 New Ideas and Activities to Try This Summer

Long summer days can certainly test the patience and inspiration of parents. A few years ago, we had to learn how to approach summer in a different way, without a lot of the typical activities. And while our summer activities have mostly returned to normal, the challenge of entertaining kids for the whole summer break is an ongoing challenge.

So how can we make summer special without spending a lot of money?

When I asked my three sons (between the ages of 4 and 9) to create a checklist of summer fun, I was surprised! They didn’t ask for grand vacations — they wanted to tackle a science experiment, explore nature, and try a new recipe.

It’s good to remember that to children, sometimes the little things aren’t so little. Trying a new food, reading a new book, or learning a full song by heart are big, important, and fun milestones!

The greatest part of summer has always been the opportunity to freely play and learn as a family. While it might feel that the modern world has changed the way we approach summer, that part definitely still exists. Here are a few kid-approved ideas to get summer started!

We’ve focused this list on free, fun summer activities for kids that involve being both outdoors and inside for those pesky rainy days. Whether you’re running low on activities to keep everyone occupied right through the summer break or you just want some inspiration for fun that doesn’t cost the earth, these ideas are sure to inspire and keep kids occupied.

1. Print this summer checklist. Keep track of the new activities and adventures you’d like to do this summer with this printable PBS KIDS bucket list. (We’ve even included room for you to add your own must-try ideas for summer fun!) Not only does this make it easier to remember all of those fun ideas you had in mind for the summer break, but it’s also a great reminder of all the fun experiences your family has had.
2. Build a newspaper fort. Go camping without leaving your living room and help your kids exercise the power of their imagination. With just two items (newspaper and tape), this simple tutorial will help your family write a new adventure this summer.
3. Discover new things on a walk. Turn a family nature walk into an enjoyable adventure for everyone, even if it’s a route you’ve taken a hundred times before. Here are seven simple tricks to turn an ordinary walk into a new summer adventure.
4. Download engaging apps for summer learning. Need some productive screen time? We’ve got you covered. From online games to mobile apps, give your brain a boost and beat the heat with these six PBS KIDS apps.
5. Explore the sea (with a paper plate aquarium!). Even if a summer vacation is not on the calendar this year, families can still enjoy a trip to the ocean together — you’ll just need a paper plate and some imagination!
6. Learn a new skill. A benefit to a slower-paced summer? More time for hands-on play! Tune-up fine motor skills and help your little ones learn how to use scissors with this step-by-step guide.
7. Go stargazing! Explore the wonders of astronomy together with a night under the stars. Ready Jet Go! helps take the complexity of space and explain it in language kids can understand.
8. Read a new book on a beautiful summer day. Go somewhere new without leaving your house! This summer reading list is filled with books that bring us to faraway places, introduce us to new friends, and teach us about the world around us.
9. Rediscover the wonder of the great outdoors. Summer travel isn’t the only way to enjoy a change of scenery. Here are some new ways to soak up the sun, spend time in nature, and relieve stress in kids and grown-ups!
10. Create a new instrument. Bring a new melody to your summer! Create different pitches, tones, and sounds by creating your own glass bottle water xylophone. Then, put on a grand performance for the family showcasing everyone’s new talents!
11. Be a thoughtful neighbor. Foster generosity with a random act of kindness. Write or draw cards for your local pediatric hospital, plant a tree, or dedicate allowance for a charity. Get creative and find new ways to be socially present in your community!
12. Turn a pool noodle into an imaginary horse! Our step-by-step guide helps you turn summer break into summer fun with a one-of-a-kind pool noodle horse. Giddy up!
13. Bust a (new!) dance move. Bring playful learning to your family’s next dance break. Bonus: Dancing it out will help children prepare for school in the fall! (Music and dance help kids practice essential school readiness skills, such as self-regulation and flexible thinking.)
14. Cool off while learning something new. Get your child thinking about why some things float and some sink with this easy activity that freezes toys into an ice block. This is a great, tactile activity that encourages kids to slow down, explore, and engage their natural curiosity.
15. Play summer book bingo. Make a new game out of your summer reading. This printable book bingo card is perfect for readers of all ages. Share your completed bingo cards with us!
16. Make your own mini-golf. This new game will have you and your child cheering! Explore the science of how things move with a DIY mini-golf game.
17. Embark on an outdoor sensory adventure. Explore new-to-you sights, sounds, and smells of nature — without leaving your neighborhood! Here’s how to let little ones take the lead and assert their curiosity this summer.
18. Get into the kitchen and try a new-to-you recipe. Our friend Daniel Tiger encourages little ones to try new foods, and tasty recipes all the way from Alaska from Molly of Denali are the perfect on-ramp for eating adventures this summer. Print and assemble Molly’s recipe book, and get cooking!
19. Burn energy on a rainy day. Is the rain keeping you indoors this summer? Get the wiggles out with a new energy-burning game!
20. Remember that downtime can be good! Even in the most exciting summer seasons, kids will get bored. But that’s not always a bad thing! As the Kratt brothers remind us, if we give children space to explore their boredom, we might just be amazed by the creative ways they’ll fill their time.

Hopefully, you’re feeling inspired by how many fun and free summer activities for kids there are for you to explore. Even if it might seem like a small or more mundane activity to you, you’d be surprised at how much there is to discover for kids and how fascinating the little moments can be to them. Above all, you’ll be spending quality time together — and isn’t that the best part of summer?

If you’re still looking for more activities you can do at home without spending a ton of money, check out our simple science activities that encourage learning through curiosity and exploration. Need to foster some quiet time when things get hectic at home? Discover how to make a calming mindfulness jar that can be used for timeouts.