Fun-Filled Summer Activities for the Family

School is out, the days are longer, and suddenly….there’s nothing to do. After the initial thrill of summer break wears off, it can be hard to find new and exciting ways to keep everyone entertained. Check out our list of ideas for summer activities for the whole family and fill those long summer days with hours of fun.

Summer activities for the whole family

Visit a local fair or festival

There are music festivals, food fairs, carnivals, and state fairs galore in the summer. Find a fair or festival in your area for a day of family fun. Enjoy fair rides and games, find your new favorite food truck, or support local artists and vendors. Make sure to pack the sunscreen for your day out!

Go swimming

Beach, lake, or pool. Whatever your local swimming spot, a day trip or vacation to jump in the water is a great way to stay cool and have fun as a family. Pack the sunscreen, swimsuits & towels for a refreshing swim. Bring along a picnic lunch for a meal that doesn’t mean surrendering your coveted spot on the beach!

Have a water balloon or water gun fight

No swimming nearby? Have a water balloon or water gun fight in your yard or at a local park instead. One of my favorite summer memories growing up was our family reunions every summer, complete with a water gun fight for the whole family. Even my grandparents got involved!

Go out for ice cream or create your own ice cream sundae bar at home

Take the family out for a cool, tasty treat on a hot day. For added fun, skip the ice cream shop and take a trip to the store instead. Pick up ingredients for a build-your-own sundae bar (ice cream, plus chocolate fudge, sprinkles, cherries, or whatever appeals to you) and make your own sundaes at home. The bonus to this DIY method is that you can use the extra ingredients throughout the summer instead of spending a ton of money on trips to the nearest ice cream shop when you want a cool treat.

Join a summer reading challenge

Did you know Pizza Hut still offers its summer reading challenge? Sign up for the BOOK IT! program & start earning those personal pan pizzas! Or visit your local library and ask if they offer a summer reading program (or do both). Some libraries even offer an adult reading challenge, so you can join the fun too!

Family photos

Summer is the perfect time to update the family photos you’ve been putting off! The kids are out of school, the days are longer, and the weather is good. Visit a local park or your favorite downtown spot to refresh those family portraits. Level up the photoshoot fun with a theme like going out for ice cream or having a paint war.

Play a sport or attend a game

Summer sports are a great way to have fun and keep the kids active. Enroll the kids in a summer sports program through your local park. Or take the whole family to the baseball field to support your favorite team!

Bike, skate, or scooter

Ride a bike, roller skate, skateboard, or ride a scooter. Encourage your kids to ride or skate around your neighborhood, or take them to a local park. Enjoy the longer days of summer with an evening ride when the weather is cooler, or pack a picnic and go to the park for a day of fun.

Visit a museum

Fun summer activities don’t have to be outside! Try taking the kids to a museum or a children’s museum and spend the day learning something new or exploring the world through play. If you’ve never visited a children’s museum before, these museums are unique because they are both educational and fun. Kids can learn something new & get their wiggles out at the same time!

Take a road trip

It’s time to pack the car! Summer is a great time for a road trip to visit family or see somewhere new. Take a weekend trip somewhere near home, or turn it into a full vacation and travel farther from home for a few days. Check out Roadside America or Instagram accounts like @sillyamerica for some fun & quirky roadside attractions and experiences to visit along the way.

Movie night

Pick a family-friendly movie for everyone to enjoy together. Visit a local drive-in theater for a fun night out or create your own drive-in style experience at home with a projector, a blank wall or inflatable screen, and some blankets or chairs to sit on.