How to Create a Fun Summer for Kids While Keeping Life Easy

Summer is here! Cue the fireworks, BBQ coals, and sandy children. Do you dread summer with kids or look forward to it? To be honest, I sometimes dread it because I think, “What in the world am I going to do with these three kids for the next eight weeks?”

Over the years, I’ve learned that having a simple, fun summer for kids is all about finding balance — keeping them entertained while keeping your sanity intact. In this post, I’ll share practical tips to simplify your summer at home, plus 20+ non-screen ideas to keep the kids happy and engaged.

We can plan scheduled outings like playdates and camps, but we also embrace the dog days of summer with no plans and just our imaginations. For much of the season, it’s about staying in PJs until noon, running through sprinklers, and lazing the days away without major obligations.

Of course, we’re only human, and kids (and parents!) can get bored with too much free time. Below are strategies for creating a simple, yet fun summer with kids, plus 25 non-screen activities to keep them entertained, active, and happy during those extra hours at home.

How to Set Up a Fun, Stress-Free Summer at Home

1. Make a Plan

Any plan, even a loose one, is better than none, especially with children. Although it’s summer they do behave much better when a basic daily structure is in place.  

Start with a summer wish list and pencil in what you plan to do (i.e., a road trip, family beach days, the county fair, Vacation Bible School).  Once you have a general calendar in place you can fill in regular activities like pool playdates, visits to the library, and open days.

2. Create a Playdate Schedule

Talk to other moms about their summer schedule and agree to a few meet-ups. This could be the park, pool, zoo, children’s museum, etc. Knowing other families’ general summer plans give you an idea of when your kids can play together.

Consider a “playdate swap” with a family whose children your kids enjoy. Don’t overcommit but take turns dropping the kids off at each other’s house for a two-hour window to give each mom a much-deserved break.

3. Set Up Outdoor Play  

Summer is all about being outside. If you have access to a pool, lake, beach, or any sort of water I’m sure this will be high on your list of things to do.

If water play near you is limited, consider purchasing a slip-and-slide or portable pool for your backyard. We don’t have much grass in our backyard but even just a dozen or so feet will suffice for water fun (I purchased a slip and slide a couple of years ago and it was the best money I’ve ever spent. My kids love this classic toy.  Invite some neighborhood kids over and enjoy the laughter).

Other outdoor activities include hikes, slow walks, bike and scooter rides, pickup basketball games, playgrounds, the zoo and so much more. Just being outside in the sunshine lifts spirits and keeps kids off screens.

4. Allow for Messes  

My neat freak-self has a hard time with this one but I’ve come to accept it.  Open play at home means messes.  Lots of them.  I am slowly letting this go as I realize the pillows on the floor and the scattered Legos will not be there forever.  Let the kiddos have their fun (and help pick up before bed).

On the flip side, use this time to assess what toys are really being played with. A couple of decluttering projects are great to do during the summer when you are home more.

5. Book Camps  

Let’s not be heroes.  Everyone enjoys some separation so it’s perfectly fine to enroll your kiddos in a couple of camps over the summer.  

Summer camp ideas

• Sports camps through the local YMCA or youth sports leagues
• Your city’s park and recreations department for special interest or full-time day camps
• Art and music studios (my oldest son takes lessons through School of Rock, which we’ve loved)
• Gymnastics and dance studios
• Elementary schools often offer on-campus camps
• Many churches host a summer Vacation Bible School, Kids Games, or some sort of inexpensive (sometimes free!) weekly camp
• Children’s museums, zoos, libraries are good resources
• Trampoline parks (i.e., SkyZone)

6. Encourage a Reading Program

Ideal for elementary or older kids, this is a great incentive for maintaining education between school grades.  Our local library offers an awesome program with prizes for every 5 hours read and logged for elementary-age children.  

Library visits are a worthwhile way to spend a summer morning or afternoon, especially when it’s super hot outside (libraries are often deemed “cooldown” zones in certain cities). If your library doesn’t offer this, set up your own at-home Reading Challenge, by establishing a goal of books to read for your child and a reward when the goal is complete.

7. Let Them Be Bored

As mentioned above a balance is key to keeping the summer simple, but fun. It’s important to have routine and scheduled plans but not so much you become Mom The Uber Driver, and the kids are constantly being entertained by you. Letting kids be bored is excellent for their imagination and cognitive development.

If you can endure a few minutes of kids complaining about being bored, they’ll eventually find a way to entertain themselves (see activity ideas below). Embrace the dog days of summer and let the kids figure out what to do on their own.

25 Fun, Screen-Free Summer Activities for Kids

Sometimes the simplest activities are the most memorable. These 25 non-screen summer ideas are easy to set up, require minimal planning, and keep kids entertained, active, and creative — all while giving you a little breathing room. Pick and choose what works for your family, and don’t worry about doing everything. Summer is about balance, fun, and making memories together!

• Plant a garden (just a small space or mason jars can work for this)
• Create a “water park” at home with slip and slide, baby pool, or good ole fashioned sprinklers
• Sidewalk chalk art (use packing tape to stencil designs and shapes)
• Have a water gun battle
• Grow your own butterflies (we did this last year and it was super interesting)
• Create a fairy garden (rocks, sand, flowers, wood chips)
• Crack animal eggs (make your own or try a kit)
• Make your own bubbles (water, dishsoap, glycerin – available on Amazon)
• Set up an outdoor kitchen with random or expired “soup” supplies from your pantry like baking powder, salt, sugar, cocoa powder
• Make your own popsicles
• Set up an arts + crafts station with easy to reach supplies like stickers, washi tape, markers, construction paper, etc.
• Host a neighborhood lemonade stand
• Go on daily bike rides or walks
• Have lunch outdoors on the front porch or in the backyard
• Use big boxes (i.e., appliance or refrigerator boxes) and markers to create “houses” or an outdoor “village”
• Create a reading challenge with prizes
• Visit a park or trail hike you’ve never been to before
• Have an ongoing family puzzle (recommended 500 pieces or more)
• Put on a family talent show where each member dances, sings, or plays along to a song of their choice
• Rock out with a family dance party
• Rent a bounce house for the day to put in the backyard or driveway for neighborhood kids
• Set up an outdoor obstacle course with sidewalk chalk, hula hoops, balls, orange cones, just about anything from the garage
• Go strawberry or blueberry picking at a local farm
• Have a field day with traditional games like egg toss, sack races, and baton relays
• Keep easy-to-play board games on hand such as Connect Four, UNO, and Guess Who

Making Summer Fun and Simple for Everyone

Summertime is meant to be carefree and fun, but extra hours at home can sometimes feel overwhelming. By finding your rhythm, keeping things simple, and sprinkling in a mix of planned and unstructured activities, you can create a summer that’s both fun for kids and manageable for parents. Use these tips and activities as a starting point, and remember: a few small changes can make a big difference in enjoying a balanced, memorable season together.