Summer is HERE! We just wrapped up our homeschool year, and the kids put in such great work—and mama too, for that matter, ha! This is a well-deserved summer break for all of us.
The Summer Transition: From Structure to Freedom
Yet, there is always a bit of a transition once the school schedule disappears and the to-do list gets shorter. While that freedom is wonderful, kids can sometimes feel a little lost at first. The most creative activities often come from unstructured time, and it’s healthy for children to be bored now and then—it encourages their minds to spark natural curiosity and imaginative play.
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Simple and Fun Summer Activities for Kids
That said, it’s always helpful to have a few go-to summer plans sprinkled in between those free-flowing moments. So, I created a list of fun, simple summer ideas we love and often return to!
Prioritize Friendship and Community This Summer
Friends, friends, and more friends—that’s number one on our summer list! Filling the social calendar is not only important for the kids but for us parents too. Community support and regular gatherings are essential to helping a family thrive.
The Power of Summer Playdates
As summer gears up, I feel a bit like a playdate-scheduling ninja—but it’s worth it. The friend time is stacking up, and the kids are so happy for the extra connection. Building relationships through summer activities creates lasting memories.
Easy Summer Social Ideas for Large Families
Having other large family friends opens up a world of possibilities: kid swaps, sleepovers, park meetups, lunch get-togethers, and evening barbecues. If you’ve got the yard space, set up a volleyball net or cornhole boards. Create simple outdoor stations to keep the fun going. And don’t forget a deck of cards—they’re perfect for quick and easy group games.
Plan a Weekly Outdoor Event
One of our favorite summer rhythms is our weekly lake day with our local homeschooling community. Every week—same day, same time—we head to the lake from June through August (unless the weather says otherwise). This standing outdoor tradition is a highlight of summer, and the kids look forward to it all week long. That consistency gives us all something to anticipate and keeps the summer moving with joy and purpose.
Go Camping With Family or Friends
Planning a family camping trip is one of our favorite things to do each summer. Even better? Invite some family friends to join in. Every 4th of July, we camp with our homeschooling group (yes, we are RV campers!). You really can’t beat living on a camping loop with your closest friends for a few nights. The big kids roam freely and visit each other’s campsites, while parents and littles go for walks and sip coffee together.
We always pack easy, low-stress food and expect a constant trail of kids laughing, exploring, and hopping between campers. When we return, we’re all exhausted—but so fulfilled. The memories we make each year are truly priceless.
Plan a Kid-Friendly Hike
Hiking is a perfect, simple summer adventure. Contact family and friends to coordinate a kid-friendly trail and bring along a packed picnic lunch. Short hikes with a scenic reward are especially great for keeping kids engaged. It’s a great way to combine exercise, nature, and connection.
Try Fishing for a Relaxing Afternoon
Fishing is a calm and affordable summer activity—especially if you’ve got older kids who can manage their rods and tackle on their own. I’ll admit, I don’t find fishing that fascinating, but my kids absolutely love it. If you’re near a pond with a park, it’s the perfect setup: the big kids fish while the little ones play. It’s a great way to let everyone enjoy the outdoors in their own way—and I’m always grateful for this peaceful, low-cost hobby.
Keep the Mind Fresh With Light Schoolwork
Beyond all the fun and games, summer learning doesn’t have to stop completely. While a break is essential, it’s also helpful to keep their brains active with simple routines. I like to include just 5 minutes of math facts and about 30 minutes of reading from a book of mom’s choice. I usually choose historical fiction or supplemental books connected to topics we studied during the school year. It’s a great way to keep things fresh without pressure. Our favorite supplements include:
- For Preschoolers: Get Ready for the Code: A, B, C
- For K-5: Explode the Code 1, 2, 3 & 4 – early phonics practice and light spelling!
- Kumon Math Boosters: Addition & Subtraction (Grades 1-3) and Multiplication & Division (Grades 2-4)
Join a Library Summer Reading Program
To support your child’s reading goals, check out your local library’s summer reading program. These programs are designed to keep kids reading all summer long, and they usually come with fun raffles, prizes, and reading challenges. It’s a free and motivating way to get your kids excited about books!
Listen to Audiobooks With Creative Activities
Most of my kids are currently hooked on audiobooks—a great way to wind down or pass a hot afternoon indoors. Audiobooksnow has a great deal on membership! They are a affordable audiobook plan and you can rack up rewards!
Pair a good audio story with coloring supplies or quiet crafts, and you’ve got a relaxing and enriching activity for the day.
Here are a few of our favorite family-friendly audiobook series:
- The Wingfeather Saga
- The Chronicles of Narnia
- The Prydain Chronicles
- Redwall
- The Green Ember
Start a Pen-Pal Tradition
Encourage your kids to practice their writing skills over the summer by starting a pen-pal exchange. Whether it’s with a distant cousin, a grandparent, or a friend from another state, writing letters is a meaningful and educational way to connect. My girls especially love checking the mailbox for return notes, and even my youngest kids enjoy coloring pictures to send. Personal mail never loses its magic!
Teach Life Skills in the Kitchen
One of our summer goals is for each of the kids to bake or cook a few times a week. We make homemade bread, so summer is the perfect time to teach this skill when schedules are more flexible—it makes a big difference during the school year! Our 7 quart stand Kitchen Aid mixer is a kitchen appliance we cannot live without and is great for teaching little ones to cook! It’s also a great opportunity to teach simple cooking tasks like making oatmeal and scrambled eggs. And, of course, cookies. My 11-year-old daughter keeps a steady supply of cookies ready, which is perfect for playdates, packed lunches, or spontaneous gatherings.
Let Kids Explore With Gardening
While I’m not a huge gardener myself, my kids love planting flowers and vegetables. I take a mostly hands-off approach, but they have really taken ownership of their little garden spaces. I provide the seeds, pots, soil, and a plot of land, and they run with it. They’ve learned so much through trial and error, and it’s a wonderful independent summer activity that connects them to nature.
Creative Hands-On Crafts: Beading
Pony beads and friendship bracelet beads have become a go-to activity, especially for my pre-teen girls. It keeps their hands busy and minds calm—especially when paired with an audiobook! This is one of those easy, creative indoor projects that encourages focus and fine motor skills while still being fun and relaxing.
Backyard Fun for Little Kids
For younger kids, simple water activities like sprinklers and water tables can keep them happy and entertained for hours in the yard. Don’t underestimate the classics—driveway chalk, bubbles, and a sandbox go a long way in keeping little ones busy and joyful. These low-prep activities are perfect for hot summer days and screen-free playtime.
Creative Art Time for All Ages
Summer is a great time to encourage art and creativity. Stock up on coloring books—even the adult ones for older kids—and set out watercolors or sketchbooks. For guided fun, check out the Art for Kids Hub channel on YouTube. It’s a fantastic resource with drawing tutorials suitable for multiple ages and skill levels.
Family Movie Nights & Outdoor Screenings
Summer is when we usually ramp up our family movie nights—about twice a week. If you have a projector, take it outside and invite friends for a backyard movie night with popcorn and snacks. Some recent favorites we’ve watched together include:
- Wicked
- Into the Spider-Verse
- The Mitchells vs. the Machines
- Storks
- Wonka
- The Wild Robot
- Newsies
- Moana 2
With our older kids (ages 10+), we’re working through both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and The Lord of the Rings series. It’s a great way to bond and create shared memories around storytelling.
Enjoy the Slow Pace of Summer
Whatever your summer holds, I hope you get to relax, unwind, and soak up the sunshine. Whether you’re outdoors with the kids or enjoying a cozy movie night, cherish the freedom and slower rhythm that this season brings.
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