83% of Americans think being active with their kids is enjoyable. Many prefer to play sports or get outdoors with their kids. Playing basketball, dancing, or swimming are some of the most favorite physical activities to do as a family.
With summer around the corner, planning summer activities with your kids that will promote a healthy lifestyle and overall happiness is essential. Some of the key benefits of summer outdoor play with your kids include:
Developing physical skills
Improving their mental health and creativity
Fostering social connections
Boosting your kids’ confidence and resilience
Encourages curiosity and exploration
Promotes a healthy lifestyle
To help you get outside with your kids this summer, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the best summer activities to do as a family:
Beach Adventures
For 50% of Americans, going to the beach is the best way to boost mental health and de-stress. Going to the beach as a family is a fantastic way for physical activity and outdoor play. Plus, soaking in natural sunlight helps with Vitamin D production, promotes relaxation, and reduces stress.
The beach is a great place to foster social connections and strengthen family bonds through shared experiences and positive memories. Try these activities the next time you head to the beach:
Building sandcastles
Swimming in the ocean
Playing beach games
Exploring tide pools
Water Park Fun
Going to a water park as a family is an exhilarating way to do fun physical activity and outdoor play. Water parks can improve cardiovascular health, and also boosts endorphins to reduce stress. Water parks are a great place to bond and create fun memories that your kids will talk about for years. Your kids will love the following:
Sliding down water slides
Splashing in pools
Floating on lazy rivers
Trying out water park rides
Outdoor Sports and Games
Playing outdoor sports and games as a family promotes fun physical activity and improves coordination and motor skills. Outdoor sports also encourage teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship skills that can strengthen family bonds through healthy competition. We recommend:
Playing soccer, baseball, or basketball
Riding bikes or scooters
Flying kites
Fishing
Having a family picnic in the park
Need more healthy living tips and activities to boost your family’s physical and mental wellness? Sign up for wellness membership plans that benefit the whole family.
Nature Exploration
Nature exploration is important for kids to expand their curiosity, creativity, and imagination while promoting a sense of wonder and awe. It also enhances their physical, cognitive, and emotional development by creating opportunities for sensory stimulation, problem-solving, and risk-taking in a safe and natural environment. The best ways to explore nature include:
Going on a nature hike
Camping in the wilderness
Birdwatching
Exploring local parks and trails
Creative Arts and Crafts
Creative arts and crafts for kids are fun summer activities that promote self-expression, creativity, and imagination while encouraging hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Kids also love the sense of accomplishment of creating something tangible and personal. Our favorite art and crafts for summer include:
Making sand art
Creating nature-inspired crafts
Painting rocks
Building sand sculptures
Farmer’s Market Adventures
Going to the farmer’s market is great for kids because it promotes healthy eating habits, connection to the community, and environmental stewardship by supporting local and sustainable agriculture. Things you can do while at the farmer’s market:
Picking fresh fruits and vegetables
Learning about local produce
Sampling fresh treats
Engaging in farm-to-table experiences
Cooking and preparing meals together
Teaching kids about nutrition and healthy eating
Amusement Park Thrills
Kids love amusement parks. Create a lasting memory with your family by going on thrilling rides, playing exciting games, and seeing various entertaining shows. We recommend:
Riding roller coasters
Trying out carnival games
Enjoying live shows and performances
Indulging in delicious park snacks
Attend a theme park to meet superheroes, princesses, and favorite characters
Outdoor Movie Nights
Outdoor movie nights are an inexpensive way to spend quality time together outside. You can set up an outdoor movie screen and watch a favorite movie under the stars. Get cozy with blankets and healthy snacks like popcorn or nuts. This will create a memorable movie night experience your kids will discuss all summer.
Summer Science Fun
Summer science activities are fun for the whole family as they offer opportunities to conduct simple science experiments, observe nature and wildlife, learn about stars and constellations, and explore hands-on science museums or centers. It sparks curiosity, fosters critical thinking skills, and promotes a love for learning while providing a fun and engaging summer experience.
Water Adventures and Outdoor Water Play
To beat the summer heat, you must take your family where the water is. This could be in your backyard or at the lake. There are loads of outdoor water play activities you can enjoy together:
Kayaking or canoeing in lakes or rivers
Tubing or rafting down waterways
Fishing or crabbing
Exploring waterfalls or natural springs
Playing in sprinklers
Running through water fountains
Jumping in puddles after the rain
Having water balloon fights
Camping Adventures
Camping as a family is a great way to get outdoors, appreciate nature, and bond over smores. It’s excellent for physical and mental health and for helping families learn to work together to get tasks done, such as:
Setting up tents and campfires
Roasting marshmallows for s’mores
Telling stories around the campfire
Stargazing and identifying constellations
Garden Fun
Gardening is an excellent summer activity for kids as it promotes responsibility, patience, and perseverance while providing a hands-on opportunity to learn about plant life cycles, healthy eating, and environmental stewardship. It also fosters a sense of accomplishment and appreciation for the natural world. Try these gardening activities:
Planting flowers or vegetables
Tending to a garden
Learning about plant life cycles
Want to increase your family’s physical and mental wellness this summer? Sign up for wellness membership plans that benefit the whole family.
Related Link: Grow Your Own Bean Plant Kids Activity
Community Events and Festivals
Attending community events and festivals helps your kids learn to explore new cultures, traditions, and foods while promoting community engagement and social connections. It also offers entertainment, music, and art experiences, creating lasting memories and fun for the whole family. Check your local city page for the latest summer events and festivals.
Educational Outings
Don’t forget to include educational outings in your summer activities for kids. Visiting zoos, aquariums, or museums provides educational experiences that stimulate curiosity, imagination, and learning while fostering an appreciation for wildlife, history, and science. Educational outings are an interactive way to explore the world beyond the classroom.
SpringSpot is committed to helping you boost your family’s overall wellness through fun summer activities and healthy living ideas. Our curated wellness activities are tailored to fit your family's needs, so you can incorporate them easily into your daily summer routine.
Related Link: Bringing Families Together: 10 Fun Ideas for Bonding
