75 Free Summer Activities for Kids

As a mom, one of my favorite parts of summer is the relaxed schedule and more free time for everyone. But with the relaxed schedule and no school, no homework, it also means I frequently hear “Mommy! I’m bored!” and then I have to start trying to come up with fun ideas to entertain the kids.  So, I’m creating this go-to list of free summer activities for kids so you will always have ideas to keep your kids busy (bookmark this page so you can come back when you need new ideas).

Summer is a time to be relaxed and enjoy the slower pace. These activities might even bring back some memories of your childhood summers.

75 Free Summer Activities for Kids

1. Play in the water or sprinklers
2. Catch lizards
3. Make homemade popsicles in your favorite flavors
4. Bake cookies for Grandma (or friends)
5. Visit a Fire Department/schedule a tour
6. Go for a walk every evening after dinner
7. Have a scavenger hunt
8. Play hide and seek
9. Have a water balloon fight
10. Have an art contest
11. Color your favorite pictures
12. Practice photography – take pictures in nature
13. Go on a hike at a local park
14. Go swimming
15. Go to the beach
16. Build a sandcastle
17. Plant a tree
18. Plant and grow a garden
19. Catch fireflies.  (Okay, I live in Florida, and I have never seen a firefly.  But I would love to catch fireflies one summer).
20. Daydream
21. Find animal shapes in the clouds
22. Finger paint
23. Create chalk drawing on the sidewalk
24. Write a story about what you want to do “when you grow up”
25. Read your favorite book (try to read one book a week)
26. Make sun tea
27. Build unique Lego projects
28. Chase butterflies
29. Bake your favorite cookies
30. Create a new favorite recipe
31. Play Uno or your favorite card game
32. Run!
33. Pick fresh flowers
34. Family movie marathon (pick a movie series and grab some popcorn)
35. Tell scary stories by a campfire
36. Make smores
37. Star gaze
38. Memorize the constellations
39. Have a tea party
40. Do a manicure/pedicure
41. Build a lemonade stand and give lemonade away
42. Have a water gun fight
43. Visit the library – find new favorite author
44. Try a science project
45. Play hopscotch
46. Take a nap in a hammock
47. Take a hike
48. Sing all your favorite songs
49. Learn something new every week
50. Practice drawing pictures
51. Color pictures
52. Make a slip’n’slide
53. Blow bubbles
54. Go fishing
55. Wash your mom’s car
56. Be pen pals and write letters to your best friend
57. Play your favorite board game
58. Make animal shapes with play dough
59. Camp in your backyard
60. Play dress up
61. Climb trees
62. Have a family BBQ (invite family and friends)
63. Take the dog for a walk
64. Play basketball
65. Visit a farm
66. Blow dandelion petals and watch them float in the wind
67. Invent your own game or project
68. Ride bikes on bike trails
69. Have a picnic at a local park
70. Do silly face selfies
71. Design a T-shirt with finger paint
72. Practice a hobby like drawing pictures or hand lettering
73. Make homemade ice cream, then make your own banana splits
74. Practice a skill you need to improve like playing an instrument or memorizing math fact
75. Write the story of your summer vacation

Now, it’s your turn.  Make your own summer bucket list of all the fun activities you would like to do this summer.

More Summer Activities You Don’t Want to Miss:

Summer Activities for the Slow Home by Setting My Intention

Summer Activities Bucket List with a Free Printable by Sharing Life’s Moments

Free Summer Activities Bucket List by Mom’s Small Victories

Summer Activities: Five Pool Games Your Kids Will Love by Morgan Manages Mommyhood

Your turn…

What’s your favorite free summer activity for kids? What was your favorite summer activity as a kid?