How is summer going for you? Are you surviving all the activities or are you struggling on days you are home and resorting to some sort of screen-time? It’s easy for everyone—including me—to fall into the habit of grabbing a phone, tablet, or turning on the TV when boredom hits. There’s nothing wrong with screen time in moderation, but I’ve found that some of our best family memories happen when we unplug for a while.
The funny thing is that kids usually complain for about five minutes…and then they end up having way more fun than they expected. If you’re looking for ways to keep your kids entertained this summer without relying on screens, here are some activities our family has loved.
1. Backyard Olympics
Turn your backyard into an Olympic arena.
Set up simple events like:
- Sack races
- Water balloon toss
- Obstacle courses
- Long jump
- Frisbee throw
- Relay races
Hand out homemade medals or let the winner choose dessert. Kids love a little friendly competition. If you have older kids have them each set up a station and run it!
2. Let the Kids Plan Dinner
Give each child a budget and let them:
- Pick the meal
- Help shop
- Cook with you
- Set the table
Not only are they learning life skills, but they’re usually much more excited to eat something they helped create. And maybe this will turn into one less night of cooking for you!
3. Create an Art Station
Set up a table outside with:
- Sidewalk chalk
- Paint
- Watercolors
- Modeling clay
- Stickers
- Construction paper
Don’t worry about making Pinterest-worthy masterpieces. Let them create whatever they imagine.
4. Start a Summer Reading Challenge
Visit your local library and let everyone choose a stack of books. Set aside time for everyone to read during the day and sit down and read with them. It’s a great way to connect with your kids.
Create simple rewards like:
- Stay up 30 minutes later
- Pick Friday’s movie
- Choose dessert
- Ice cream trip
Reading feels a lot less like homework when it’s part of summer fun.
5. Create a “Yes Day” Jar
Write simple activities on slips of paper like:
- Get ice cream
- Play catch
- Dance party
- Family board game
- Popsicles outside
- Picnic lunch
- Build LEGO creations
- Bake cookies
Whenever someone says they’re bored, let them pull a paper from the jar.
6. Volunteer Together
Summer is a great time to teach kids that serving others can be fun.
You could:
- Deliver treats to neighbors
- Pick up trash at a park
- Weed someone’s yard
- Donate toys
- Make cards for grandparents
- Help at a local food pantry
Kids learn empathy by seeing it in action. Sit down with your kids and make a list of things they want to do together and keep it going all year!
7. Have a Water Day
You don’t need a fancy pool.
Some of our favorite water activities include:
- Sprinklers
- Water balloons
- Buckets and sponges
- Slip-and-slide
- Water blasters
- Kiddie pools
Sometimes the simplest afternoons become the ones your kids remember most.
8. Set up Outdoor Games
You don’t need to buy a million games and have a fancy pickleball court. Set up any games you have and see what they gravitate towards and remember that for next time.
Some of our favorite outdoor games include:
- Pickleball
- Basketball
- Spikeball
- Badminton
- Croquet
Work with what you have, ask neighbors to borrow them, play a made up game that your kids love.
9. Try a “Mystery Adventure”
Give your teen a clue instead of a destination and make a day out of solving it.
Some ideas include:
- Visiting a new restaurant they’ve never tried
- Exploring a nearby hiking trail
- Finding a hidden gem in your town
- Touring a local museum
- Stopping for a favorite treat at the end
The surprise element makes even familiar places feel like an adventure.
10. Host a Night Games Tournament
It’s fun to do things out of the ordinary with your kids and playing night games is a great surprise!
When the sun goes down, bring out the flashlights and glow sticks for games like:
- Capture the Flag
- Ghost in the Graveyard
- Sardines,
- Flashlight tag
- Kick the can
Everything feels a little more exciting after dark, and it’s a fun way for teens to stay active and make summer memories with friends.
Technology is part of our lives, and that’s okay. What I’ve learned, though, is that kids don’t usually remember the hours they spent watching videos. They remember the water balloon fight where Dad got soaked. As dads, we don’t have to plan extravagant vacations or spend a fortune to create meaningful summers. Sometimes all it takes is saying, “Let’s go outside,” and being willing to join the adventure.
