Making the Most of Summer at Home – 10 Fun Ideas for Kids

With the summer holidays upon us, families across the country are looking for ways to make the most of time at home with their kids. While going away on vacation is not an option for some families, there are still plenty of fun activities that you can do right in your own backyard or living room! Here are ten ideas to help you and your family make the most of this summer season, even if you’re staying put at home.

1. Set up a Campsite in Your Backyard:

If you have some outdoor space, consider transforming your backyard into a makeshift campsite where the kids can sleep under the stars and feel like they’re away on an adventure. You can find plenty of affordable camping gear at your local discount store to make your campsite complete. Plus, setting up the tent or gazebo is sure to be a fun activity for the whole family!

2. Have a Movie Marathon with Popcorn and Milkshakes:

This one is easy enough that you don’t even need to leave home! Round up all of your favorite movies, pop some popcorn, and make milkshakes for everyone. It may not seem like much, but it’s sure to be a hit with kids of all ages, and you can even add in some fun themes like “superhero movies only” or “make your own character!”

3. Get Creative with Arts & Crafts:

Arts and crafts are a great way for kids to express themselves creatively, plus it keeps them occupied for hours! Find some old magazines, scrapbooking supplies, markers, crayons, etc.,and see what kinds of masterpieces they come up with. You can also find plenty of ideas online if you’re feeling stuck.

4. Have an Indoor Picnic:

If the weather isn’t conducive to outdoor activities, why not bring the picnic indoors? Set up a blanket and some pillows on the floor and pretend you’re at the park. You can make it into a game by having each person come up with their own “picnic” menu items or even teach them to set a proper table setting.

5. Have an Outdoor Water Party:

Beat the heat with an outdoor water party! Fill up kiddie pools, get out the sprinkler, and break out the slip-n-slides for hours of fun in the sun. Plus, there are plenty of other kid-friendly activities that involve water, such as boat races (make your own boats from paper!), squirt gun fights, sponge ball games, and more.

6. Plant a Garden:

Kids love being able to watch something grow, and with a garden, it’s easy to see the results of their hard work! Depending on how much space you have, you can plant flowers, vegetables, or herbs for your kids to nurture throughout the summer months. This also teaches them about responsibility and respect for nature as they learn to take care of the plants.

7. Have Your Own “Olympics:.”

During summer break, when physical activities are limited due to the pandemic, why not create your own Olympic Games in your backyard? Create challenging events such as egg-and-spoon races, sack races, and three-legged races for kids to compete against each other and have fun. You can even create different age groups and award medals to the winners!

8. Buy An Outdoor Playset:

If you’ve got a bit of extra money to spend, why not invest in an outdoor playset for your kids? Installing one in your backyard can provide hours of entertainment and exercise. Plus, depending on the size and scope of the setup, it may even pay for itself over time if your kids invite their friends over to play.

9. Set Up a Backyard Scavenger Hunt:

Scavenger hunts always make for a fun activity, and you can easily set one up in your own backyard. Hide items around the yard (or even inside your home) and give each kid a list of things to find. You can even challenge them with clues that they’ll have to solve before heading out on their mission!

10. Have a Bonfire:

What better way to end the day than with a bonfire in the backyard? Roast smores, tell stories and sing songs—it’s sure to be an evening your kids will never forget. Just make sure you take all necessary safety precautions before lighting it up!

Making summer at home fun for your kids doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. With just a bit of creativity, you can create an amazing experience for the whole family that will leave lasting memories! So take advantage of the extra time together this season and try out some of these ideas today!