20 Fun and Educational Summer Activities for Kids

Summer vacation has already started for some, and it’s time to schedule fun, yet educational (shh, don’t tell the kids) activities to keep those young minds learning before school starts back.

Here are my top 25 summer vacation activities that kids are sure to love.

1. Nature walk – go on a nature walk with the kids, don’t forget to take a piece of paper and crayon for bark rubbings, and a camera to document what you see.  Bring home a couple of leaves, and flowers to press, you can place these in  a frame or memory book, or attach them to a blank greeting card to send to someone special.
2. Prepare meals with kids – get your kids into the kitchen this summer.  Involve them in the process of choosing snacks, washing fruit, making salads or sandwiches, and then take your meal into the backyard with a picnic blanket.
3. Volunteer – contact your local non-profit organizations and volunteer at events cleaning up beaches or rivers, sorting thrift store donations, or handing out meals at your local shelter.
4. Family Game Night – set aside one night a week for a family game night.  Kids will love this special time spent as a family playing their favorite board or card games.
5. Pitch a Tent – If camping at a camp ground is not on the cards this summer, pitch a tent in your backyard on a clear night.  Light a small fire pit and make s’mores, and learn about the stars.
6. Try Geocaching – if you haven’t been geocaching before, the summer vacation is a great time to give it a go. Visit geocaching.com to learn more.
7. Science experiments – have some fun with kid-friendly science experiments.  Learn about floating and sinking, gravity, magnets, and reflecting light.  All you need to do is use your computer’s search engine  and you’ll be amazed by how many fun experiments there are to try with everyday household items.
8. Fly a kite – check your weather forecast and plan a day to head outside and teach your kids how to fly a kite.  Get creative before you go and help your kids make their own kites.
9. T-shirt painting – give your kids some plain white t-shirts and let them go crazy with a little fabric paint creating their own design.  Don’t forget art smocks and to place a board or piece of card inside the shirt so the paint doesn’t go through.
10. Story time – check with your local library and books stores for their story time schedule.
11. Make it or build it – some craft stores (such as Michael’s), and hardware stores (such as Home Depot) have days where children can attend fun classes.  They’ll learn to build or craft something fabulous to bring home.  Check their websites for further details.
12. Memory books – make a memory book with your kids where they can document their summer adventures.  They can practice writing, attach pressed flowers, or ticket stubs, and draw pictures of their fun activities.
13. Pick-your-own – contact your local farms to see if they offer pick-your-own days.  Kids will love picking their own fruit.  Enjoy some fresh, then get the kids into the kitchen to turn some of that fruit into pies, homemade ice-cream, or can it.
14. Day or week-long summer camps – there are so many options out there for summer camps for kids.  Not only will they make new friends, but they will also learn something new: from nature camps, to sports camps, there is bound to be a camp out there your child will love.
15. Visit museums – some museums offer free or discounted days, check their schedules ahead of time.
16. Book crafts – read your child’s favorite book to them, then organize some fun craft activities to do based on their book.  I’ve got a few ideas prepared for you for Pinkalicious, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Magic School Bus, and Boogie Monster.
17. Obstacle Course – turn your backyard into a fun-filled obstacle course complete with tires for running through, a net to crawl under, a knotted rope hanging from a tree to climb up, and other assorted activities that kids have to climb over, under, or through.
18. Exercise – schedule 30 minutes a day for fun workouts with the kids.  Choose from a variety of things such as skipping rope, bike riding, walking, hula-hooping, dancing, and yoga.  Not only are these fun activities, but your kids may have the chance to learn something new too.
19. Put on a play – let your kids dress-up in costumes and encourage them to make up a play for a little before dinner entertainment.
20. Rusty and Rosy Reading- let’s not forget about our favorite educational software.  That’s right, our very own Rusty and Rosy Reading for just 15 minutes every day is a great way to keep the kids learning over the summer.