35 Simply FUN Summer Activities for Kids

Are you a busy mom looking for a summer survival guide to help you through the coming months? From ideas to craft and play, planning kids activities and minimizing screen time to meal planning, here are 38 summer activities for kids and their moms that will give you the best summer yet!

When the last bell for the school year rings and the kids come jostling out screaming ‘yay! It’s summer!!!’ I always imagine the nervous smiles on moms’ faces. What ever will you do for 100 days of summer?! If you already have a baby or a toddler at home then well… a summer survival guide for busy moms and toddlers is a must!!

I once read that the right time to have your next child is when your youngest is ready to start school. I had laughed at the ridiculousness of that thought but then my son started school and I got a taste of ‘me-time’. When summer hit that year, I was surprised that by then I had forgotten all the fun things that I did with him. He was very cranky and annoyed that we weren’t having any fun.

The next year, I had a baby with me. Luckily, we went on a vacation that year. Then the year after that, I was juggling a baby and a toddler. I wasn’t prepared for summer at all! It took me almost the whole of it, before I got my footing right.

This year, although I have two toddlers, I am already looking forward to my son staying home for the summer. Why? I have learnt my lessons well and I kept notes… this year, I have a plan!

Related: Are you an Intentional Mom? Here is how to take control of your mom life.

Summer Survival Guide for Moms with little Kids

If you are a mom to two or more kids with at least one of them in school, then you will know that summer usually means a lot more of ‘Mom, I am bored!’, ‘Mom look…!’ or ‘Mom can I, can I… please?’ .

Then, there are dirty dishes, no clean clothes, you have no idea what your next meal will be and you’re crazy busy to even scratch your head all day. Where did time go? What did you do all day, you wonder. Summer also means that mom has had to turn into a constant entertainment channel for the kids or the TV will be on forever!

Related: How to simplify cooking when you have little babies and toddlers to juggle.

Here is how to survive the summer with kids.

1. Have a routine for them. I know that most mums don’t like routines. I was like that too until I tried them nine years ago . It was then that I discovered that routines can be life savers. Children thrive on schedules especially toddlers. It is the same with older kids too because kids really need structure to their day. A routine will mean fixed nap and meal times for everyone. That translates to some time for mom to catch her breath or use the bathroom, if nothing else!  Most kids under the age of four cannot tell time. When you have a fixed time of the day to eat, sleep, play, go out and do stuff, the kids learn to feel more in control of what is happening around them. They cooperate more easily and accept the changes around them. That means less tantrums. It also means less nagging for the older ones.

Related: Read about our Daily Summer Schedule for Kids here.

2. Have a battle plan. Start planning for your summer now before the kids are out of school. Sit down and think about ways you can make your life easier. Plan your meals for the month, plan your chores too. If you are not sure about where to start, just make a chart and write down a list of quick meals to make at least. It isn’t as hard as you think. I know it takes a little time to sit down and plan all that but, it is really worth every minute that you put in that. Trust me, I have been through this and I found that when I had a list in my kitchen telling me what I was making that day, it really made life easier. Atleast, the thinking part was taken care of.

Related: Grab this printable Fridge and Pantry Inventory list that saves time and helps meal plan easily.

3. The best way to minimize screen time While you are it, plan your kids activities too. It isn’t enough to have a routine for your child. What is important to know is not just when you will be doing something but also what you will be doing then. You can look at how easy it is in this post where I have written about planning activities for your children in just a few minutes.

Kids get restless when they are allowed to play by themselves all the time. Free play is good but there should be some activities for them to show their creativity and some time when they can explore and learn too. They resort to trouble when they get out of ideas to keep themselves busy. My kids just go and turn on the television for lack of anything better. We have strict rules for screen time and this triggers a mega meltdown.

For this reason, to minimize screen time, I always make sure they have lots of ideas and material for them to enjoy.  Take this time before summer starts to make a list of all the fun things you want to do with your children. Think of ways you can make memories… or take memorable pictures. 🙂

Related: Top 10 Summer Play Ideas for Babies and Big Kids

4. Give the kids chores.  Every time I tell my husband that they kids were up to no good, he tells me that I need to give them chores. At first, I thought he was joking because my eldest was 3 yrs old then. Slowly, I began to understand how much my kids loved ‘helping’ me out. They really felt so ‘big’ when they dragged in the grocery bags and put away the contents. I told them to polish the dining table surface but they thought mommy gave them a fun spray bottle to paint the table and wipe it clean with! You see, everything is play for them. If they are doing some of your job while playing beside you, isn’t it fun for moms too? When you teach them young they grow up to become responsible contributing members.

It doesn’t matter if your older kid isn’t used to doing chores because it is never late to start now. Just present it in a fun sort of a way. You are quenching their power thirst and filling their attention bucket at the same time. Both of those equal to quality time! You can cook with them too so that they love food. We have a fixed time of the day when we clean the house and I have seen that when I do chores with them I am spending less time cleaning and more time having fun. I have also learnt that kids who are used to cleaning, make less messes. Everything is a game for them.

5. Go out. Everyday! Summer is all about running outdoors and having fun. There are always other seasons when you have to keep them at home so take all the opportunity that you can to take them out. Just let the kids out of the house. Let them play and explore nature. This is also a fantastic time to take them to popular and fun places around you. If you can’t take them yourself, arrange with someone who can do it for you. A friend with kids of their own, relatives or neighbor who will do the same if you reciprocate. When the children are out and about having fun, you too can have some you time! You can have a breather from taking care of the kids and running home one day and the other mom gets some another day when you are taking them out. Ask your friends now if they would like to join you with this plan this summer.

It is also a good idea to take a quick trip somewhere or travel! Read here why I travel with young kids and you should too.

These are top five Summer survival tips from me that can help you have a fantastic summer. I am joining my Kid Blogger Moms today to talk about fun ways to enjoy the summer.

35+ Summer Activities for Kids

We are sharing fun ideas that can help moms and dads to have not just a fantastic summer but make awesome memories crafting, creating and playing with their children too. Check out more the rest of the ideas for your summer below:

6. Wet and Wonderful Summer Ideas for Kids | Powerful Mothering

7. Summer Flower Sensory Bin for Kids | Adventure in a Box

8. Summer nature art & craft ideas | Messy Little Monster

9. Summer acts of kindness for kids | Mum in the Mad House

10. Color Your Summer: Sidewalk Chalk for Kids | Child Led Life

11. Low Stress Summer Fun for Kids | Mama Smiles

12. Awesome Backyard Ideas for Summer |  In The Playroom

13. Summer STEM Activities for Kids | Kitchen Counter Chronicles

14. Top tips for creating a Summer fairy garden | The Gingerbread House

15. 100 Budget Friendly Summer Activities | Something 2 Offer

16. 5 Amazingly Cool Summer Activities for Little Kids | Peakle Pie

17. How to Make Awesome Summer Juices for Kids | Witty Hoots

18. Ultimate Guide to Summer Sidewalk Chalk  | Cutting Tiny Bites
19. Ideas for Summer drawings | Hodge Podge Craft

20. Summer Alphabet Relay Obstacle Course – Mom Inspired Life

21. Summer Lego Ice Rescue  – Multicraftingmummy

22. 27 Simple Summer Science Experiments for Kids | Edventures with Kids

23. Summer Evenings – Family Fun Ideas with young kids | Rainy Day Mum

24. Summer Survival Guide For Busy Moms and Toddlers | Words n Needles

25. Celebrate Summer with Sun Crafts! | Artsy Momma

26. Summer Fun Activities For Toddlers | Adventures of Adam

27. 35 Beach & Ocean Themed Sensory Play Ideas | Golden Reflections Blog

28. 20 Ideas for Summer Fun with Preschool Kids | Bare Feet on the Dashboard

29. Planning a Summer Garden for Kids – Mama’s Happy Hive

30. 10 Summer Snacks for Kids to Make – Fun-A-Day!

31. Quick and Easy Frozen Summer Watermelon Pop  | Little Bins for Little Hands

32. Frozen Watermelon Cubes for Fruit Flavored Water | Little Bins for Little Hands

33. Summer Alphabet Activities– Growing Book by Book

34. Fun with Zoo Animals for Kids – My Bright Firefly

35. Summer Bubble Fun For Kids – Just Another Mom

36. Epic Light Table Ice Legos & More for Summer! – The Natural Homeschool

37. Summer Preschool Activities – Living Life and Learning

38. Free Summer Printables – Montessori Nature