Fun Summer Activities for Kids

It’s starting to feel like summer, the days are getting warmer and the sun is out longer. Normally, during this time, plans for summer backyard BBQs and trips to the boardwalk are well underway. This year, we’re taking it much slower and summer might just look very different than what we’re used to. For parents, you might wonder how you’re possibly going to keep your kids busy during the dog days of summer. Check out some of our fun and educational ideas to keep you and the kiddos entertained all summer.

1. Go camping! You don’t have to go to campgrounds to go camping, you can turn your backyard, or even a family room or bedroom into an at home campsite! If you do have a backyard and the necessary equipment, set up the tent on a warm night and spend the evening outside with the kids under the stars, right in your own backyard!
2. Build an Ant Farm! You can make simple, fun and educational ant farm at home! You can order kits online or use what you have on hand around the house. Check out this instructional video for inspiration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHCGRt_MRwY
3. Create a paper mâché masterpiece! This is a great outdoor activity and kids love it because its messy but easy to do. Simply mix equal parts water and flour to create a paste-like consistency, haul out those old newspapers and let the kids tear them into strips, decide what you’re creating and soak each strip of newspaper in the flour mixture prior to use. When you’re done crafting your masterpiece, sprinkle it with a little salt to set the paper and prevent any molding. 
4. Learn to bake! Baking involves both math and science, if it’s not done properly, your baked goods could turn out very wrong. These, days we often use boxed recipes for baking and who can blame us? They’re tasty, quick and turn out right almost every time. While we have some more time on our hands, look up a new recipe, pull out the old mixing bowls and measuring utensils and turn snack time into a family fun learning experience. Be sure to utilize both liquid and dry measuring utensils, it makes a difference! 
5. Make your own finger paint! Kids love being messy, so they really LOVE finger painting. If you can’t get to the store to pick any up, you can make some at home with just a few ingredients that you might just have on hand. You’ll need food coloring, cornstarch, sugar and water! That’s it! Simply mix 4 tablespoons sugar with ½ cup cornstarch and 2 cups of cold water over medium heat, stirring until thick. Let the mixture cool and divide into individual pots to create different color options. Finally, get the kids and help mix food coloring into each pot. Then take the paints outside with the kids and let the fun begin!
6. Play cards! Did you know that you can play almost any kids’ card game with just a regular pack of cards that you might have lying around the house? Go Fish, Old Maid, Crazy Eights, War, Snap, Rummy, I doubt It and Slap Jack are all kid-friendly games that your kids will love.
7. Grow your own food! Of course, you can’t grow everything you need, but a small family garden is a great way to teach children about where their food comes from, how it gets there and the time and effort that it takes to grow it. If you have a yard, you can put your garden right in the ground, if not, look for spaces where you can keep small pots in/around your home. For example, a porch or windowsill is a great place to keep plants so that they can still catch light. If you’re growing outside, you can plant whatever is in season that you like. Tip: New Jersey is famous for our summer tomatoes. If you’re growing inside, bees won’t be able to reach your plants to pollinate them, so fruiting plants won’t work, but herbs are perfect for growing indoors; basil, cilantro, oregano, thyme and rosemary are all great indoor choices that can spruce up any meal. Garden supply stores are open in NJ for contactless pick-up and deliveries, just check with your local store.
8. Throw a dance party! Nothing relieves the stress of being cooped up at home more like a good old-fashioned dance party! Throw on the radio and turn your living room into a disco! If you really wanna have some fun, make it a dress-up dance party! Let the kid’s put together their own dancing costumes from their closets. You’ll be ready to tear up the dance floor in no time! Plus, it helps them get that extra energy out!

We hope you and your little ones have a blast trying all the different activities on this list. Be sure to snap some photos of your family fun and tag us when you share them! We can’t wait to see all the fun you’re having!

We hope to open our doors to you again soon. In the meantime, stay safe and healthy everyone!