This summer, encourage children to step outside and play with these fun, educational, and hands-on activities! Here are some exciting ideas to get kids moving and keep them entertained:
1. Play ice cream addition
Math and play come together with this sweet activity!
Draw a colorful ice cream cone on the linked worksheet, or create a giant cone using sidewalk chalk. Each square represents a different number, and the goal is to add up the terms you land on. This activity can be completed indoors or outdoors, making it a versatile way to practice addition while enjoying the sunshine.
2. Assemble a beach mosaic
Capture those summer memories with an art project!
Kids will have a blast collecting a variety of shells, pebbles, and sea glass on a beach outing. Once they’ve gathered their treasures, glue them in geometric shapes to a piece of cardboard. This keepsake sparks creativity and encourages kids to appreciate the beauty of nature.
3. Make light-filled sun prints
Investigate how different household objects react with light!
Have your child arrange various objects like leaves, flowers, or small toys on construction paper, and leave the paper in the sunlight to fade. Using these sun prints, you can encourage them to explore the effects of sunlight and shadow while creating works of art!
4. Discover directions with a summer compass
Introduce young explorers to the basics of navigation!
Have them draw a colorful compass on the sidewalk and use arrows to indicate north, south, east, and west. They can then design a local map, adding in all of their favorite summertime spots like the pool, the library, and the park!
5. Have a sponge relay race
Get kids moving and cool off with a refreshing sponge relay!
Two teams will compete against each other, testing their trivia knowledge as they try to fill up a bucket of water by squeezing a sponge. The team that fills their bucket first wins! This activity helps children practice their quiz game prowess and develop teamwork skills while playing outside.
Looking for more fun in the sun? View our full list of 65+ summer activities to keep kids engaged throughout the warm weather months!
