Simple Summer Activities for Families Who Don't Have All Day -

This post shares simple summer activities for families that you can start today.

Both my husband and I are teachers, so the summer is all four of us in the house all day long. Over the years, I found that my sanity stays intact when I’m able to provide my kids with little things to do. That said, if I were to take our family of four out each day, it would cost a fortune after two months.

That’s why getting creative is important, so I’m not broke by the end of the summer. Fortunately, I figured out ways to provide them with engaging activities that don’t break the bank.

These activities are designed for families with young kids, think ages 2-10 (I honestly think I can get my pre-teens to enjoy some of these activities, too), who want to make summer feel special, and they fit into a 2-hour window or less. Most can be done with whatever you already have at home, and none require Pinterest-level preparation.

The "We Have 30 Minutes Before Dinner" Activities

1. Sidewalk Chalk Art Gallery

Time needed: 20-30 minutes

What you need: Sidewalk chalk (dollar store version works perfectly)

summer activities for kids at home includes chalk art

This economical activity taps into their creativity while giving you a little peace. Let each kid create their masterpiece on the driveway. After they finish, take a "gallery walk" where everyone presents their art. Take photos of each creation before the next rain washes it away.

2. Backyard Water Play

Time needed: 30-45 minutes

What you need: Garden hose, cups, maybe a kiddie pool

You’ll want to eat dinner outside because they’ll be soaked, but this is a great way for kids to have fun and cool off. Fill random containers with water, add some measuring cups and funnels from your kitchen, and watch them go. The cleanup is built right in—they're already wet and outside!

Worth the effort: Set up a "car wash" station where they can wash their bikes, scooters, or toys.

outdoor summer activities should include kids running through sprinklers

3. Nature Treasure Hunt

Time needed: 20-40 minutes

What you need: List of items to find (or just wing it)

One of our favorite summer activities is taking walks around the neighborhood. Make it an engaging activity by adding a hunt. Give the kids items to find during the walk. You can get as creative as you want. Here are some ideas: something smooth, something that smells good, something yellow, etc. No need for elaborate scavenger hunt printouts—just make it up as you go.

Give each child a paper lunch bag to collect treasures, then let them show off their finds over dinner.

The "Saturday Morning When We Actually Have Time" Activities (H2)

4. Homemade Popsicles

Time needed: 15 minutes active time (plus freezing)

What you need: Ice cube trays or popsicle molds, fruit juice or yogurt

Mix fruit juice with a bit of water, pour into ice cube trays, and stick toothpicks or popsicle sticks in each compartment. By afternoon, you have homemade popsicles that cost a fraction of store-bought ones. Plus, the kids always love eating what they make!

Use a Greek yogurt like Chobani to add a little protein to their frozen treat.

best things to do in the summer should have an outdoor tent in a backyard

5. Backyard Camping

Time needed: 1-2 hours

What you need: Blankets, flashlights, snacks

Set up a 'tent' using sheets and kitchen chairs, or just spread blankets under a tree. If you have one of those beach pop-up tents, you can use that as well. My daughter loved to take this out every summer and make it her little home.

Make s'mores in the toaster oven if you don't have a fire pit, and tell stories with flashlights.

No one needs to sleep outside; bring everyone inside to sleep in their actual beds after the novelty wears off.

6. DIY Slip 'n Slide

Time needed: 1 hour

What you need: Plastic tarp, garden hose, dish soap

Lay the tarp on a slight slope in your yard, wet it down, add dish soap until it gets slippery, and let the kids have at it. This is much cheaper than the store-bought version.

Fun things to do with kids at home with kids on slip and slide

The "Let's Get Out of the House" Adventures

7. Library Time and Playground

Time needed: 1.5 hours

What you need: Library card and maybe snacks

When my kids were little, we went to the local library weekly. They loved the kids' section because not only did it have books, but it had games for them.

After choosing books for the week, go to the nearest playground. It's the best free entertainment around, plus it tuckers them out enough for quiet time when you get home.

8. Dollar Store Science Experiments

Time needed: 1 hour

What you need: $10 and a sense of adventure

Grab baking soda, vinegar, food coloring, and plastic containers from the dollar store. Make volcanoes in the backyard and watch your kids get excited over science.

If they fall in love with this, go to YouTube and search "easy science experiments" to find weekly learning sessions.

ideas for bored kids includes science experiments with baking soda and vinegar

The "Rainy Day Rescue" Indoor Options

9. Living Room Dance Party

Time needed: 15 minutes

What you need: Your phone's music app or an Alexa

Throughout the years, we have had so many dance parties, and I promise that you will cherish these moments.

This can be as planned out as you want. You can create a playlist with your kids' favorite songs mixed with a few of your own throwbacks or take requests. Dance until everyone is laughing and slightly sweaty.

The best part is that it burns their energy AND counts as your cardio for the day.

10. Indoor Obstacle Course

Time needed: 45 minutes

What you need: Couch cushions, pillows, painter's tape

Use painter's tape to create lines to walk on or tape it to the walls and make it what they have to crawl under, pile cushions to climb over, and create crawling tunnels under chairs. Time each kid through the course and let them redesign it.

This destroys your living room temporarily, but they'll nap better afterward.

fun things to do in the summer at home includes baking with kids

11. Baking Something Simple

Time needed: 1 hour

What you need: Box mix and patience

Kids get so much pleasure out of creating something, and this is a great opportunity to teach them about measuring and how to bake!

Let them help measure, pour, and mix. Yes, your kitchen will look like a flour bomb went off, but they'll remember "the day we made cookies together" longer than you'll remember cleaning up.

Making Summer Memories Without the Overwhelm

Here's what I wish someone had told me summers ago: your kids won't remember whether you checked off every activity on a list. They'll remember that you put down your phone, got a little silly, and created space for fun for the whole family.

The real magic happens when you:

Say yes to the unplanned water balloon fight
Let them stay in pajamas for the backyard camping adventure
Take pictures of their proud faces, not just the perfect moments
Remember that "good enough" summer memories are actually perfect

Permission granted to:

Skip activities when you're tired or stressed
Repeat favorites instead of always trying something new
Let kids get dirty, wet, and slightly wild
Call fifteen minutes of bubbles on the back porch a "summer activity"

Your Summer Reality Check

The reality is that you don't need to be the mom who plans elaborate themed weeks or documents every moment for social media. You just need to be with them during this time and create memories together.

Some days, the best summer activity is letting them run through the sprinkler while you sit in a lawn chair with iced coffee and talk with them. What they really want is to be with you.

What's your go-to quick summer activity that never fails? Drop it in the comments—we're all looking for more ideas that work in real mom life!

Simple Summer Activities for Families Who Don’t Have All Day