60 mindful summer activities for kids that spark joy and wonder
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
Looking for some new summer activities for your kids that build both memories and connection? From backyard adventures to cozy crafts, these playful ideas will make this summer unforgettable.
Summer break may mean no alarms, no homework, and no carpool chaos — but all that free time can create a real issue for parents, too. What are you and your kids supposed to do with all that free time?
Before you go overboard scheduling activities, remember that summer doesn’t need to be overstuffed to be magical. In fact, the most memorable summer activities for kids are often the quiet, sensory-rich moments you don’t plan, like a bedtime story told under the covers or the soft feeling of warm grass underneath their feet. Mindfulness is key here, which is why this guide is packed with summer activities for kids that are designed to spark connection, curiosity, and calm.
When it comes down to it, the most memorable summer doesn’t come from doing everything. It’s about doing a few things that really matter, together.
30 outdoor summer adventures to spark joy, learning, and connection
Summer is all about the outdoors, and the following activities reflect that. They’re easy to start, forgiving when interrupted, and meaningful even when they last just 10 minutes. We’ve broken them down into five clusters in order to help you find what best fits your energy (and the weather) that day.
Read more: How connecting with nature can support your mental health
Get curious with nature
When kids spend time in nature, their minds naturally slow down, their senses wake up, and their imaginations come alive. Unlike screen time or structured routines, being outdoors invites presence, and these activities help your kids bring that with them everywhere they go.
1. Take a barefoot nature walk
Take off your shoes and slowly walk through grass, dirt, or even a garden path. Invite your kids to name every texture, like “Is it soft? Prickly? Cold?” This helps them develop sensory awareness, enabling them to notice their environment instead of just passing through it.
💙 Encourage your kids to go on A Mindful Walk outside with guidance from Malika Chopra.
2. Listen to the trees
Find a shady tree, sit beneath it, and ask everyone to close their eyes. What do you hear? Leaves rustling? A breeze? A bug? This quiet act of listening builds mindfulness and brings a rare stillness into your child’s day. And as a bonus, being in nature helps calm their nervous system, too.
3. Sketch a bug
Grab a notebook and watch a bug closely — how it moves, eats, and hides. Then, ask your kids to draw it and give it a name, like Speedy the Ant. This activity builds patience, observation skills, and empathy.
4. Map clouds
Lie on your backs and gaze at the clouds. Ask your kids what they see and build a silly story together based on the shapes they observe. It’s a great entry point to storytelling and encourages creative thinking.
5. Create a backyard weather station
Track the daily weather changes using only your senses. How does the air feel today? What direction is the wind blowing? Compare the sun’s position at the same time each day. Older kids can log their observations in a simple notebook.
6. Stack stones and create a challenge
Find rocks of various sizes and try to balance them into towers. Ask your kids what helps them stay up and what makes them fall. This exercise allows hands-on learning about physics and patience, and it’s more meditative than you might expect.
Play with your surroundings
When kids interact with sticks, stones, water, and trees, they’re using their bodies, brains, and creativity all at the same time. This type of unstructured outdoor play boosts mindfulness by encouraging curiosity, focus, and sensory awareness.
7. Build a fairy village
Choose a patch of dirt or tree roots, and build tiny homes using bark, acorns, flower petals, and twigs. Encourage your kids to make furniture or write a welcome sign. This activity combines imaginative play and outdoor crafting, with no cleanup required.
8. Set up a mud kitchen
Use old pots, wooden spoons, and a bin of water to create a fun outdoor play kitchen. Let the kids mix mud, grass, flowers, and pebbles to create wild, imaginative designs. This type of play is open-ended and sensory-rich, encouraging both exploration and confidence.
9. Create a backyard obstacle course
You can make a course by using whatever’s on hand — garden chairs to crawl under, sticks to jump over, or even ropes to balance on. Kids can either time themselves or race one another, which helps them build motor skills and burn off any excess energy.
10. Play a game of shadow tag
Instead of tagging bodies, let your kids try to step on each other’s shadows. This is a great, low-contact option that works especially well in the late afternoon when shadows are long and dramatic.
11. Make paintbrushes from nature
Tie leaves, grass, pine needles, or flowers to a stick, and then dip the stick in watercolor or mud. Use this to paint on whatever surface you’d like — rocks, sidewalks, or cardboard. This activity blends nature play with art and also teaches improvisation.
12. Play in the garden
Invite your kids to help you in the garden by watering plants, digging holes, or just observing the worms and bugs. You could also assign them a plant to care for throughout the summer. This builds responsibility in a low-stakes way, all while helping them feel important and included.
Slow it all the way down
Being able to slow down is a superpower, and summer is the perfect time to practice. Watching clouds drift, feeling grass underfoot, or simply listening to birds can all calm the nervous system and teach children how to self-regulate.
Read more: Mindfulness for kids: Benefits and how to explain it to children
13. Challenge sitting still
Choose one outdoor “sit spot,” such as a log, a rock, or a patch of lawn, and return to it for 5-10 minutes a day. Ask your kids what they think was different from one day to the next. This repeated, silent observation teaches patience, pattern recognition, and connection with a place.
💙 Mel Mah’s Working Out the Wiggles session can help kids get out some of their energy, so it’s easier to sit still.
14. Watch the sunset
Pick a consistent evening each week and watch the sunset together with no phones or distractions. Use the shifting colors as an opportunity to discuss how the day felt. (Learn about the importance of self-care for kids and 12 tips to help them practice.)
15. Walk in the rain
Light rain? Lace up your boots and go outside. Let your kids feel the drops on their arms, jump in puddles, or just walk slowly. The key here is to give them permission to get wet, be silly, and break the usual rule of trying to stay dry in the rain.
16. Play bird-watching bingo
Create a simple bingo card with types of birds or bird behaviors, like red feathers, chirping, or flying in a group. Then, either bring it to the park or watch from a window. Let your kids create drawings or write stories about the birds they observe.
17. Stargaze
Lie on a blanket and look at the stars. Identify the constellations or make up your own. Kids often open up when they’re present like this, so you can even start asking them deeper questions.
18. Perform a sound scavenger hunt
Challenge your child to find five sounds: something buzzing, something soft, something sharp, something rhythmic, and something far away. This will help slow them down and sharpen their attention.
Adventures that build connection
Whether it’s a nature walk, a backyard campout, or exploring a new park, these shared moments help kids feel seen, safe, and bonded. When children connect with others while exploring the world, it deepens their sense of belonging and makes the memories that much sweeter.
19. Camp out in the backyard
Whether you sleep out or just set up a tent for play, camping—even in your own yard—feels adventurous. Bring flashlights, snacks, and ghost stories, and get ready to bond.
20. Go on a nature gratitude walk
As you walk, let each person name one thing they’re grateful for in nature, such as the smell of pine needles or the way the light hits a puddle. The more you do this, the more your kids start to appreciate their surroundings.
💙 Let your kids learn about the importance of gratitude with Adventures in Perfect Harmony with Anna Kendrick.
21. Make a kindness rock garden
Paint small rocks with words like “hope,” “brave,” or “you matter,” and leave them in public spaces. This provides kids with an easy way to share kindness and reflect on the impact their words have on others.
22. Have a slow picnic
Lay out snacks and stay as long as everyone’s comfortable. Sometimes, the best conversations happen when there’s nothing else to do.
23. Play with photography
Give each child a phone or an old camera, and ask them to photograph five things that make them curious, happy, or calm. Later, talk about what they captured and why.
24. Run a lemonade stand
Let them run a stand, but consider having them donate their earnings to a cause they care about or offering free drinks with notes of encouragement. These changes add meaning to a classic summer staple.
Just-for-fun outdoor moments
These unstructured experiences spark joy and imagination. With no agenda and no pressure, kids learn to be present — and oftentimes, those silly, spontaneous moments are the ones they remember the most.
25. Play a game of bubbles
Have your kids blow bubbles slowly and mindfully, trying to keep them floating for as long as possible with slow exhales. This activity is great for calming anxious energy or winding down before bed.
26. Practice some backyard yoga
Act out poses inspired by animals — stretch like a cat, stand tall like a giraffe, or curl up like a turtle. This will help your kids connect to their breath and nature at the same time.
💙 Learn how to move like animals in the rainforest in this Mindful Movement with Sienna & Friends session.
27. Tell a story with chalk
Draw a long sidewalk mural, one square at a time, and let each family member add to the story. This is a collaborative, creative activity that’s also surprisingly low-lift.
28. Create art in the sun
Place leaves, toys, or cut-out shapes on dark paper and leave them in direct sunlight. After a few hours, remove the items to see the outlines.
29. Make some DIY bird feeders
Smear peanut butter on pinecones or cardboard tubes, roll them in birdseed, and hang them up in trees. Keep a journal about which birds come to visit, and notice the patterns.
30. Dance through puddles
After a summer storm, put on some music and dance through the puddles. Record slow-mo videos in order to celebrate the mess. (Curious about mindful movement? Here’s everything you need to know.)
30 indoor activities for kids to deepen creativity, presence, and play
Not every summer day is picnic-perfect. Some days are too hot or stormy, or filled with so many sibling brawls, it’s impossible to even think about leaving the house. That’s where these indoor activities come in. They’re calming, engaging, and built to create meaningful moments that don’t require a craft store run or hours of prep.
Creative expression that doesn’t require perfection
Give your kids the freedom to explore their inner world without pressure. These activities will help them stay present, process their emotions, and develop patience, all while staying true to their creative roots.
1. Draw an imagination map
Grab a big sheet of paper and draw a made-up world, like a lava island ruled by flamingos (or whatever else your kid can think of). Once it’s mapped, let them take you on a tour through each part and make up the rules for how things work.
2. Make a comic strip
Fold paper into panels and help your child create a story using stick figures, speech bubbles, and the colors they love. Don’t worry about the plot, though. Just let it be silly, emotional, or even entirely weird.
3. Build a cardboard city
Use boxes, tubes, and tape to build a mini city, and let each child create their own home. Encourage them to add signs, cut-out windows, and even little people. It’s architecture, storytelling, and collaborative chaos all in one.
4. Perform a puppet show in the kitchen
Do you have any socks, spoons, or paper bags on hand? Anything can be a puppet with some eyes and imagination. Let your kids script their own show, perform behind a blanket draped over chairs, and invite the whole family to watch.
5. Tell a story with dice
Draw pictures or words on dice, and then make sure each roll adds a character, setting, or twist. Tell a new story each time, trading off who adds the next line upon each roll of the dice.
6. Invent something new
Provide your kids with a handful of recyclables (cardboard, string, or bottle caps), and then give them a challenge, such as “Invent something that makes people laugh” or “Create a machine that makes breakfast.” There are no wrong answers here.
Calming activities for rest, reset, or low-energy days
On days when the energy is low or emotions feel big, these slower-paced moments will help support emotional regulation, help quiet racing thoughts, and teach your kids the value of stillness.
7. Breathe with a buddy
Have your child lie down with a stuffed animal on their belly. As they breathe in and out, they can watch the animal rise and fall. This simple visual cue teaches body awareness and emotional regulation.
💙 This Balloon Breath meditation can help kids feel grounded and focus on their breathing.
8. Create a gratitude challenge
Trace your child’s hand on paper and have them write one thing they’re thankful for on each finger. For extra calm, add colors or draw pictures of each gratitude item.
9. Build a cozy corner
Create a nook with blankets, pillows, books, and stuffed animals for your kids to relax in when they feel overwhelmed. As a creativity bonus, you could even give the area a name, like Snuggle City or Calm Cave.
10. Find a new way to read
Pick a favorite book and pair it with real-life textures or smells. For instance, you could touch a fuzzy blanket during a winter scene or sniff orange peels during a picnic page. This turns reading into a multi-sensory experience that boosts focus and memory.
11. Go on a tactile treasure hunt
Hide items around the house and give your kids clues based on their texture, such as squishy, smooth, or bumpy. Once they find them, talk about how each one feels and what they all remind you of.
12. Have a sound bath
Dim the lights, lie down together, and play ambient nature sounds or soft music to create a calm atmosphere. Invite your kids to close their eyes and just listen. Even five minutes can help shift a frazzled nervous system.
💙 Get connected with the calming sounds of Raya’s River Boat Ride.
Engage the senses and spark curiosity
Activities that involve touch, smell, sound, and sight help build sensory awareness and mindfulness in a fun, hands-on way. By tuning into their environment with intention, children learn to notice the little things, sparking wonder, creativity, and emotional grounding all at once.
13. Have a blindfolded taste test
Let your kids sample familiar foods with their eyes closed, and then ask them to describe the taste, smell, or texture. This helps build descriptive language and body awareness, and as a bonus, it’s usually hilarious.
14. Rescue some toys
Freeze small toys in ice cube trays or containers overnight, and then give your kids tools like salt, spoons, or eyedroppers in order to rescue them. It’s a lesson in science and patience.
15. Smell potions
Set out safe ingredients like herbs, fruit slices, vanilla, or cinnamon, and let your kids mix their own potion in water using spoons, cups, and their noses. They can then name their creation and assign it magical powers.
16. Play with texture
Fill bins or bowls with dry rice, beans, oats, or pasta, and have your kids mess around in them. For extra calm, turn on soft music and make it a silent “feel and explore” time.
17. Paint with moods
Ask your kids to assign a color to their feelings, and then let them paint freely using it. This is a form of non-verbal expression that can be surprisingly revealing and soothing.
18. Massage their hands
Warm a little lotion or coconut oil, and offer your kids a hand massage. Then, talk through the steps out loud so they can give you one in return. Touch can be a powerful step in your child’s emotional care.
Read more: What is therapeutic massage (and can it boost your mental health)?
Connection-focused play to deepen your bond
These activities can offer emotional safety and give kids the presence they crave, which is especially important during summer when routines shift. This kind of intentional play deepens trust, encourages open communication, and reminds your child that they are seen, heard, and loved just as they are.
19. Paint a blind portrait
Sit across from each other, close your eyes, and try to draw the other person’s face without looking. Reveal your masterpieces and laugh together.
20. Store a memory box
Designate a small box to fill over the summer with meaningful objects, such as a rock from a walk, a drawing, or a note from a sibling. Once a week, open it and talk about what’s inside.
21. Make a family time capsule
Write letters and include mementos from the summer to seal in a container. Pick a future date when you’ll open it — and stick to it, so that there’s a level of anticipation involved.
22. Freeze dance with your feelings
Play music and dance around the room. When the music stops, call out an emotion (maybe silly, tired, or proud) and have everyone act it out. This teaches emotional literacy in a joyful way.
💙 This Follow Along Body Scan with Emiko Susilo can help your child become more aware of their body.
23. Use a question jar
Fill a jar with conversation starters like “What’s your favorite smell?” or “What do you wish trees could do?” Pull one at mealtimes to spark conversation.
24. Do some interviews
Let your child become a reporter and interview you about your day, your childhood, or your dreams. Then, switch roles. These moments often reveal things you’d never expect.
Quiet creativity that gives you both a breather
These moments are designed to offer a gentle pause in the day for both you and your child, providing calm without requiring constant conversation or energy. Use them as a soothing way to reset, reconnect, and share stillness together.
25. Craft freely
Keep a rotating stash of materials like scrap paper, stickers, glue sticks, string, or boxes, and just invite your kids to make something from nothing. The goal here is exploration, not output.
26. Sketch with an audiobook
Listen to an audiobook or podcast and encourage your child to draw what they hear. It’s a relaxing, screen-free way to combine both imagination and listening.
💙 Press play on the Meet the Calmlings story and let your kids' imagination run wild as they draw this new world.
27. Create a window weather station
Pick a window and make it their weather station. Each day, they can draw the sky, the clouds, or whatever else they notice outside. Compare their drawings across the days to build pattern recognition and presence.
28. Combine reading and snack time
Choose a book and make a simple snack that connects to it, like toast and honey for Winnie the Pooh. It’s a gentle way to deepen the story experience.
29. Sort the socks
Turn laundry into an activity by asking your kids to find the socks that match. It’s oddly satisfying, grounding, and lets them feel useful.
30. Make a moment
Create a mini ritual with your child by using slow breathing, expressing gratitude, or taking a moment of stillness. You don’t need a script — just pause and be together. You can even take turns guiding each other.
💙 Get some guidance from a familiar voice in the Breathe Like the Ocean With Moana meditation for kids.
Summer activities for kids FAQs
How can you make summer activities educational and fun?
You can make any summer activity educational by adding a layer of curiosity. For instance, on a nature walk, count the types of leaves or talk about where the insects live. At home, you can turn baking into a hands-on math lesson where kids can measure and mix ingredients.
When your children feel safe to explore without needing to get it right, that’s when the real learning sticks.
What are the must-do summer activities for kids this year?
The real must-do activities aren’t about trends. They’re about creating moments that matter. This summer, focus on the kinds of experiences that build connection and wonder, like watching a sunset together, making a fairy house in the yard, or having a rainy-day story marathon with snacks and blankets.
Must-dos are less about checking boxes and more about slowing down enough to let your kids’ curiosity lead the way. If it brings them joy, helps them feel seen, or makes them laugh, that’s a win.
What mindful activities can I do with my kids in the summer?
A mindful moment is really anything that helps your child focus on the present and feel connected to themselves or the world around them. Breathing exercises, listening walks, and gratitude picnics can all count. Overall, mindfulness isn’t about doing things a certain way, but about noticing while doing.
What are some creative ideas for summer vacation with kids?
Summer is the season for creative freedom. For some creative ideas, consider:
Inviting your kids to help plan a pretend vacation day at home. Turn the living room into a hotel, make tickets for a fake flight, and explore a new culture through food and music.
Creating a backyard art studio using old sheets and washable paints, or write and perform a family play using dress-up clothes.
Creativity thrives when kids feel empowered to lead the process, so don’t worry about mess or structure. Start with a spark—an object, a question, or a mood—and see where their imagination takes you.
How can I keep my kids entertained indoors on hot or rainy days?
The secret to keeping your kids entertained indoors is having a go-to list of low-prep, open-ended activities. Try a toy rescue endeavor, reading time, or a family bake-off using what’s already in the pantry.
Ideally, you could mix calm moments, like sketching and weather-watching, with activities that require more energy, like dancing or an obstacle course.
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