Happy Mama, Happy Summer: 30 Summer Activities for Kids

Ten point five days left until summer break.

As with most things, I am the happy dancer in the above animation, and The Dudes are that other guy.

I’ve just never been one of those moms who really dreaded summer break. I like sleeping in and I hate doing homework, so the 10 weeks of freedom provided by the summer are my high-knee-wave-your-hands-in-the-air-like-you-just-don’t-care happy place.

This year we have a summer planned enough to keep us focused, but not so stressful as to make us exhausted.

All three of them made the swim team this year so that will fill up a lot of our mornings. Dude 1 will be playing in a middle school soccer league. Dudes 2 and 3 got to select a one week camp to attend (they both choose the same basketball camp, because WE CAN’T BE APART EVEN THOUGH WE FIGHT WHEN WE ARE TOGETHER).

We will probably go on a short weekend road trip, but for the most part we plan to stay local and enjoy what DC has to offer. We will go to the lake and the pool probably multiple times every week and people who complain about using the amenities we already pay for via our lovely HOA will be dead eyed as needed.

If you need some inspiration for how you can enjoy yours with your littles, hopefully this round up helps.

30 Summer Activities for Kids That Will Make You the Best Parent Ever (or like, not the worst)

1. Build a tent. Snag the super easy if-Dude-Mom-can-anyone-can instructions before you start: DIY kid’s tent.

2. Make water balloon pinatas.

3. Bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies.

4. Set up a lemonade stand and use the money to do good. Or to buy more lemonade.

5. Plant a garden.

6. Build a slip and slide.

7. Play in the sprinklers.

8. Make ridiculously huge bubbles.

9. Turn yourselves into superheroes and save someone. This fast, no-sew cape tutorial will help.

10. Host a theme party. Like a luau. Or something outdoorsy and fun.

11. Play a board game.

12. Have a movie day. Check out our list of old school flicks for some ideas to get you started with your family movies day.

13. Do something crafty. This 100% will NOT fly at this house because the Dudes physically repel crafts. But this round up of spaceship crafts is cool (and I’m not just saying that because ours is include, okay I am, but not really)!

14. Try a new app. We love Vine Kids, Brain Pop Featured Movie, and Idiot Test if you’re looking for something that isn’t just straight up game all day.

15. Volunteer. Volunteer Match can help you find some things in your area you and your family might be interested in.

16. Drive to the nearest city to your home and explore it.

17. Learn to Minecraft. Dude 3 recorded this intro video for everyone who has young kids thinking about getting on the platform. It’s the whey, when, who, and what of it all.

18. Go to the park. While you’re there, push each other on the swings.

19. Do some science. These science experiments for kids are a good place to start.

20. Learn the history of your town.

21. Watch a movie in your yard. We’ve used a projector before and have it on our wish list for next Xmas too, but have you seen these crazy oversized inflatable screens ? It’s like living on MTV Cribs. Only, they aren’t as expensive as a massive TV in your yard makes you feel.

22. Eat ice cream for dinner. And don’t ruin it by making it a Greek yogurt fruit smoothie. Eat. Ice. Cream. (You can sub it for something else not healthy and totally delicious if you or your kid is allergic, like pie or cake, or big fat double chocolate chocolate chip cookies.).

23. Institute DEAD time at your house. That is Drop Everything And Dance time. You will be loved.

24. Write postcards. From your home town to your friends and family in others. They will love that you thought of them and your kids won’t be those kids who have the hurty hands when they go back to school in the fall because they haven’t used a pencil in 10 weeks.

25. Let them sleep in.

26. Eat breakfast in bed.

27. Eat breakfast for dinner!

28. Make your own ice cream. With an affordable ice cream maker and some fresh ingredients you can enjoy a cool summer treat that is fun to prepare.

29. Stay up late.

30. Just chill. Summer vacay doesn’t have to be this massive over done thing. Or, it can be. Just do what works for your family and try to take a beat to create at a memory or two with your kids.

Be sure to check out how all of the other Happy Mamas are planning to make summer joyful and feel free to add some summer activity links of your own to the linky!