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Need ideas for things to do with your kids in the summer? It’s finally summertime. School is out and the pool is open! Read on to find great ideas about fun and relaxing family activities to keep your little ones busy and learning all summer long.
We are looking forward to pool baths, popsicles, and movie nights all summer long. My oldest has finished up kindergarten and is taking a nice long break from homeschool by going to day camp this summer. He is so excited. So am I!
I’m ready for a school break and getting to spend some time with my little ones before they get too big.
Hang on. If you’re searching things to do because you are feeling guilty (rather than bored) take a moment to give yourself permission to relax. >>> 101 Reasons to Take a Break this Summer
It won’t be all relaxing and lazing around while the kids dig in the dirt, though. I need to keep them busy indoors for a good portion of the day… and cross my fingers they take a nap later!
The oppressive South Florida heat keeps us inside after ten and before 4pm every day all summer long. Even swimming mid-day is too much for my little red head.
I went hunting for some of the very best ideas for things to do with kids in summer. I found some of the easiest, most creative, and fun summertime posts and downloads to share with you.
BIG List of Things to do with Kids in Summer
Summer School
If you’re continuing to teach throughout the summer, check out some reading lists, units, and activities that will make learning fun! And don’t miss our 10 FUN Alternatives to Summer School to Avoid the Summer Slide!
♥ Books and Activities for preschool, kindergarten, and lower elementary children
Easy and FUN Going on a Bear Hunt Activities!
FUN Five Senses Activities for Kindergarten!
Kindergarten Books and Activities: Ratatouille Movie Unit Study
35+ FUNtastic Fox in Socks Activities for Kids!
♥ 10 Best Summer Themed Beach Books for Preschoolers and A Book and a Big Idea: Commotion in the Ocean from The Kennedy Adventures
♥ Create your own Adventure Box with Blog She Wrote (I LOVE this!)
♥ Bubble Unit Study by Susan’s Homeschool Blog
♥ Hands-on science experiment ideas from Forgetful Momma:
Pop and Mentos Eruption
Hopping Popcorn Kernels
Homemade Lava Lamp
Color Changing Flowers
Wizard’s Brew
♥ Literature based unit studies from Little Log Cabin School
Ocean Unit Study
Who Sank the Boat Literacy Unit in Action
Our Week with the Worms
Summer School Butterflies
Summer School Frogs
Things to do with Kids in Summer on a Shoestring
Need some ideas for free or inexpensive activities this summer? We got ya covered! These bloggers put together the best cheap or free summer play.
⇒ 10 FREE Summer Programs for Kids for Fantastic FUN & Learning! from the Resource Room
⇒ Free Summer Activities from Centered at Home
⇒ Summer Fun Arsenal from Hall of Fame Moms with great Dollar Store ideas
⇒ Dollar Store Summer Fort Fun from Starts at Eight
Feeling Crafty in the Summertime
We love the summer themed crafts at Home Depot and Michaels. Be sure to check out crafting stores in your area for low cost or free kid’s crafts (that you don’t have to set up). If crafting with kids at home is your jam, check out a few of these great summer ideas!
Making Sun Prints from Susan’s Homeschool Blog
Great summer themed ideas from Look We’re Learning
Summer Printable Sight Words
Beach 0-9 Playdoh Mats
Beach Shoebox Diorama
DIY Beach Play Sand
Coffee Filter Sun Craft
Healthy applesauce ice pops. We added strawberries to ours.
Recipe on Forgetful Momma!
Outdoor Fun with Kids this Summer
Fair Weather Fun – Water Edition and Chalk Edition from Starts at Eight
A few ideas from The Kennedy Adventures for outdoor play with little ones:
Bring out the Baby Pool
Outdoor Dinosaur Sensory Bin
Frozen Dinosaur Eggs
Frozen Sidewalk Chalk
DIY Sponge Bombs
Water Balloon Pinata
8 Ways to Relax with Your Kids from Susan’s Homeschool Blog
or if you’re feeling more ambitions check out Susan’s Deluxe Kid Carwash
Working on the adorable dino printables from The Kennedy Adventures.
Printables for Quiet Time this Summer
Mine are happy to kill an hour indoors with their “paperwork.” Cutting, gluing, dotting, and painting printables is never a waste of time!
These printables will keep them busy while you make dinner or have an iced coffee and read your favorite blogs.
Summer Fun Printable Pack with 100+ Activities from Rock Your Homeschool
Swing into Summer Learning with 5 weeks of printables for tots to 2nd grade from Royal Baloo
What are your favorite summertime activities? Leave a comment below.
More summer fun & learning from the Resource Room:
Ashley helps parents who want to homeschool find the resources they need to successfully teach their children. Ashley is a former teacher, current homeschooler, published author, and designer behind Circle Time with Miss Fox printables as well as the creator of this website, The Homeschool Resource Room.
Great round up of activities
Thank you!