Summer is a time for kids to enjoy the sunshine and create unforgettable memories. However, when the temperatures rise, it’s important to find creative ways to keep them cool and engaged. The summer months offer the perfect opportunity for parents to explore fun activities that are not only entertaining but also help kids learn and grow. From crafting to outdoor games, here are 15 inventive summer activities that will keep your children cool and active while maximizing fun. Each suggestion includes terrific products that can enhance their experience and keep them engaged throughout the season.
An Outdoor Splash Pad can transform your backyard into a mini water park. These inflatable pads offer a safe space for kids to enjoy splashing around and staying cool during the hottest days.
EVAJOY Inflatable Kiddie Pool, 101” x 57” x 24” Play Center with Detachable Slide for Children, Sprinkler, Ball Pit for Indoor Usage, Easy Setup for Garden, Backyard
$70.80
SwimWays Disney Princess Ariel Splash Mat, Kids Splash Pad & Outdoor Toys, Little Mermaid Party Supplies & Water Toys for Kids Aged 1 & Up
$9.34
WOW Sports Ocean Splash Pad, Wading Pool for Children and Toddlers, PVC Splash pad with Built-in Sprinklers
$99.99
CoCoMelon Splash Pad, Outdoor Play Mat, Sprinkler for Kids and Baby Pool for Learning, Toddler Sprinkler Pool, 48" Outside Water Toys, Outdoor laymat for Babies and Toddlers
$18.22
Engage your children's creativity with DIY Craft Kits. These kits come with all the necessary materials for various projects and are a great way to keep kids busy indoors while they create beautiful masterpieces.
Made by Me Create Your Own Window Art
$9.97
Creative Roots Mosaic Turtle DIY Stepping Stone Kit, Includes Ceramic Stone & 6 Vibrant Paints for Kids Ages 8+
$7.99
4M Magnetic Mini Tile Art, Art & Crafts DIY Kit, For Boys & Girls Ages 8+
$13.99
Creativity for Kids Wonder Worlds 3D Coloring Craft Kit: Enchanted Forest - Coloring Craft Kit for Kids, DIY Kit for Girls and Boys, Kids Gifts for Ages 5-8+
$6.00
Perfect for hot summer days, a Water Balloon Games Set is an excellent way for kids to cool off while engaging in some fun competition. This set often includes easy-fill balloons, providing hours of entertainment and laughter.
Original Bunch O Balloons Octopus Splash Pad with 100+ Rapid-Filling Self Sealing Water Balloons by ZURU, Water Balloon for The Whole Family, Kids, Teens and Adults, No Stress Summer and Outdoor Toy
$8.40
Bunch O Balloons Crazy Color by ZURU, 200+ Rapid-Filling Self-Sealing Water Balloons for Outdoor Family, Friends, Children Summer Fun, Amazon Exclusive (6 Pack)
$16.99
Bunch O Balloons Filler Soaker + Standard 3x Stems by ZURU Self-Sealing Instant Water Balloons for Outdoor Family, Children Summer Fun
$14.99
Wahu Zoom Ball Hydro Outdoor Water Ball Game
$14.99
A Bubble Machine provides endless entertainment and is perfect for outdoor play. Children can chase and pop bubbles while enjoying the sunshine, making this an inexpensive and joyous summer activity.
John Deere Bubble Lawn Mower with Bubble Solution, Outdoor Garden Toy, No Batteries Required, 2+
$24.97
Gazillion Bubbles, Hurricane Bubble Making Machine - Portable Bubble Maker - Instant Bubble Creation - Outdoor Toy for Kids - 4 oz. Bubble Solution Included - Ages 3+
$14.99
CoComelon NO Spill Musical Bubble Machine | Bubble Toy for Baby, Toddlers and Kids | Amazon Toys Exclusive with 16 oz of Extra Bubble Solution (Bubble Solution Bottle Colors Will Vary)
$21.47
Lulu Home Concentrated Bubble Solution, 1 L/ 33.8 OZ Refill for Bubble Machines, Giant Wands, and Blowers - Up to 2.5 Gallons for Kids' Halloween Parties
$16.99
Encourage a love of nature with a Kids Gardening Tool Set. This set typically includes child-sized tools to help them dig and plant, turning your backyard into a mini-garden and teaching them about the environment.
JustForKids Kids Garden Tool Set Toy, Rake, Spade, Hoe and Leaf Rake, reduced size , made of sturdy steel heads and real wood handle, 4-Piece, Multicolored, 5yr+
$23.22
Melissa & Doug Giddy Buggy Cultivator & Trowel Set
$14.08
G & F 10012 JustForKids Kids Garden Tools Set with Tote hand rake shovel trowel,Assorted
$7.89
Click N' Play 4-Piece Kids Gardening Set With Shovel, Rake for Yard - Outdoor Toys for Ages 3-8 to Play in Leaves
$29.69
An Art Easel with a chalkboard is a fantastic way for kids to express their creativity. They can draw, paint, or even write messages, and it’s easily used both indoors and outdoors.
Step2 Jumbo Art Easel For Kids
$108.39
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Art Easel - Dry-Erase Board, Chalkboard, Paper Roller - FSC Certified, 27"D x 26"W x 47"H
$85.96
Step2 All Around Easel for Two in Red/Yellow/Tan by Step2
$46.09
Award Winning Hape All-in-One Wooden Kid's Art Easel with Paper Roll and Accessories Cream, L: 18.9, W: 15.9, H: 41.8 inch
$65.99
Spark curiosity with an Outdoor Adventure Kit. These kits usually include tools like binoculars, a magnifying glass, and a compass, prompting kids to explore nature safely and encouraging them to learn about their surroundings.
ESSENSON Outdoor Explorer Kit & Bug Catcher Kit with Binoculars, Compass, Magnifying Glass, Critter Case and Butterfly Net Great Toys Kids Gift for Boys & Girls Age 3-12 Year Old Camping Hiking
$29.99
ESSENSON Kids Explorer Kit - Adventure Kit for Kids, Outdoor Explorer Kit with Binoculars, Summer Outdoor Toys for Kids Ages 4-8
$13.99
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Bug Catcher Kit for Kids - Kids Bug Habitat with Magnified Viewer, Bug Catcher, Tweezers & Learning Guide, Insect Habitat, Outdoor Toys, Kids Bug Catching Kit, Bug Cage, Bug Box
$19.99
Carson AdventurePak Containing 30mm Kids Field Binoculars, Lensatic Compass, Flashlight and Signal Whistle with a Built-in Thermometer (HU-401), Multicolor
$29.99
Keep kids entertained and cool with a Water Sprinkler Toy. It provides a fun way for them to play outside, and with various designs, each sprinkler can turn your yard into a water play zone.
Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Splash Patrol Sprinkler Toy With Hose Attachment
$25.95
Little Kids Baby Shark Inflatable Sprinkler, Blue
$23.55
BANZAI Sprinkle Friends Play Mat, 58in x 42in, Multicolor, Toddler Unisex
$18.61
Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Pretty Petals Flower Sprinkler Toy With Hose Attachment for 3+ years
$24.99
A Portable Hammock is a fun way for kids to relax and unwind outdoors. Whether reading a book or napping, it’s the perfect leisure item for summer days, plus it creates a cozy space to hang out.
Wildhorn Outpost Double/Single Portable Camping Hammock with Cinch Buckle Tree Straps
2 sizes
SONGMICS Double Hammock, 98.4 x 59.1 Inches, 660 lb Load Capacity, with Compression Bag, Mounting Straps, Carabiners, for Terrace, Balcony, Garden, Outdoor, Camping, Beige UGDC15M
$19.10
Klymit Single Traverse Hammock, Portable Hammock for Camping, Green
$47.99
Gold Armour Camping Hammock - Portable Hammock Single Hammock Camping Accessories Gear for Outdoor Indoor Adult Kids, USA Based Brand (Light Blue & Grey)
$22.98
An Inflatable Pool is an essential summer gift for families. Easy to set up, it gives kids a personal space to splash and play in the water and is a fantastic way to keep them cool all summer long.
Intex 57181EP Swim Center Inflatable Family Pool: 159 Gallon Capacity – 90" x 60" x 19" – Color May Vary
$33.79
Inflatable Pool, EVAJOY 118'' x 72'' x 20'' Above Ground Pool, Kiddie Pool Large Size Thickened Blow Up Swimming Pools Play Center for Kids Children Family Outdoor Garden Backyard
$48.75
Inflatable Swimming Pool, EVAJOY Inflatable Pool for Kids, Adults, Family-Sized Above Ground Swimming Pool with 4 Seats, 4 Backrests, Cup Holders, for Backyard, Garden, Outdoors, 200 gal
$88.06
Intex Mystic Unicorn Spray Pool Inflatable Pool, White
$25.48
A Kite Making Kit allows kids to engage creatively while learning about aerodynamics. After designing their kite, they can take it to the park or beach for a fun day flying their creations.
Creative Kids Magic Bouncy Balls - DIY STEM Toys - Science Kit for Kids - 25 Multicolor Bags & 5 Molds Makes Up to 43 Balls
$16.98
JOYIN 53'' Wide Orange/Blue Butterfly Kite Easy to Fly Huge Kites for Kids and Adults with 262.5 ft Kite String, Large Beach Kite for Outdoor Games and Activities
$6.00
Fun Express Cyo Doodle Kite - 12 Pieces - Educational and Learning Activities for Kids
$20.62
JOYIN 2 Packs 52.4'' Wide Giant Butterfly Kite Yellow and Blue Color Easy to Fly Huge Kites for Kids and Adults with 262.5 ft Kite String, Large Beach Kite for Outdoor Games and Activities
$12.00
When visiting the beach, a Beach Toy Set is indispensable. It typically includes buckets, shovels, and molds, providing kids with tools for endless sandcastle-building adventures.
Click N' Play Beach Toys for Kids 3-10 - 18pc Sand Toys Including Sand Buckets for Kids with Sifter, Watering Can, Rake, 4 Hand Tools, 10 Sand Molds & Mesh Beach Toy Bag - Sandbox Toys for Toddlers
$34.99
JustForKids Beach Toy Set, Summer Beach Fun Activity, Castle Bucket Sand Mold 16Piece Set, Play Kit for Kids with Heavy Duty Reusable Mesh Bag,Assorted,5",10060
$20.51
Battat – Sand Toys For Kids – 11Pc Sandcastle Building Kit With Molds And Shovel – Outdoor Sandbox Toys – Sand Castle Play Set – 3 Years + – Sand Castle Play Set
$16.95
American Plastic Toys Kids’ 8” Sand Pail & Shovel Duo, Beach & Summer Fun, Outdoor Activities, Sand Pail, Ages 18 Mos+(Color May Vary)
$2.99
An Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Kit sparks exploration and adventure. With checklists and clues, kids can work together or individually to discover items in nature, making it an exciting way to learn outside.
Chuckle & Roar - Kids Scavenger Hunt - Game Night Fun for Families - Engaging for Toddlers and preschoolers - Board Game
$12.99
Nature Adventure Pack by Horizon Group USA, Nature Kit for Kids, Includes Hands-On Guide, 14+ Activities, Reusable Backpack, 42-Piece Card Game, Scavenger Hunt & More, Multi
$20.05
Kids Scavenger Hunt - Children's Game - Ages 6+ - Indoor and Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Game - Develops Gross Motor Skills - for 2 or More Players Individually or Team Play
$15.48
Craft-Tastic Scavenger Hunt Potions - Nature DIY Craft Kit - Create Magical Nature Potions - Makes 7 Potions - Comes with Recipe Book - Ages 4+ with Adult Help
$19.99
A Kids’ Play Tent provides a personal space for imaginative play. Whether used indoors or outdoors, it can become a fort, a reading nook, or part of a pretend adventure, enhancing their summer fun.
Tiny Land Kids-Teepee-Tent with Lights & Campfire Toy & Carry Case, Natural Cotton Canvas Toddler Tent - Washable Foldable Teepee Tent for Kids Indoor Tent, Outdoor Play Tent for Girls & Boys
$68.92
Bluey - Pop 'N' Fun Play Tent - Pops Up in Seconds and Easy Storage, Multicolor
$19.94
Cocomelon Musical Yellow School Bus Pop Up Tent, Foldable, Imaginative Play, 3+
$27.68
Pacific Play Tents Funchute 6' Parachute 18004
$15.99
What types of summer activities are best for kids?
Summer activities that involve water play, crafts, and interactive outdoor exploration are often the best for kids as they keep them cool, engaged, and encourage creativity.
How can I encourage my kids to play outside in the heat?
Provide fun outdoor games, water-based activities, and shady areas to relax in. Timely breaks and cool refreshments will also help keep them motivated.
Are there indoor activities for summer days?
Yes! Indoor activities like crafts, reading, and science experiments are great ways to keep kids entertained while staying cool during extremely hot summer days.
What are some safety tips for outdoor activities in the summer?
Ensure kids are hydrated, apply sunscreen, provide shaded rest areas, and avoid the peak sun hours to keep them safe during outdoor activities.
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