Summer days with my kids can sometimes feel long and cranky, and when that happens, I just know it’s time to bring out something cool and fun. These 5 summer activities were super fun for my kids, because they spent almost an hour playing ,which, in my opinion, is a pretty good attention span considering their age.
On the plus side, putting the activities together took me about 10 minutes, and as far as the supplies are concerned- I already had them all.
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1. Frozen Paint Pops
This trending idea on Instagram turned into one of our favourite activities. It’s cooling, creative, and super easy to prep the night before.
Supplies:
- Washable paint
- Popsicle tray
- Popsicle sticks
- Thick paper or cardboard sheets
What to do:
Add a small splash of water to the paint and pour it into a popsicle tray, then Insert popsicle sticks and freeze. Once frozen, give them to your kids to paint on cardboard,and watch them get fascinated by the melting paint.
2. Spongey Prints
I call these spongey prints because of the cute patterns you can create with cut-up sponges. It’s just proof that summer activities don’t have to be extra; just grab some sponges and paint, and let the messy fun begin.
Supplies:
- Dish sponges
- Washable paint
- Shallow trays or paint mats
- Thick paper
What to do:
Cut sponges into fun shapes (stars, hearts, butterflies), and give them to your kids to dip them lightly in paint and press onto any paper. I love this one because it lets our kids create beautiful patterns that look like abstract art.
Before I go on, let me just drop a little mama-to-mama tip: Always supervise the activities you do with your kids and remember to keep a pack of wet wipes close by for easy cleanup (works for me all the time).
3. Frozen Friends Rescue
My kids were excited about rescuing their toy friends from the block of ice, and It was such a pleasant sight seeing their faces light up with this activity.
Supplies:
- Mini plastic toys
- Large plastic bowl
- Squirt bottles, droppers
- Optional: toy hammers, kids’ tools
What to do:
Freeze their favourite miniature toys in a bowl of water (you can add some food colouring if you want go extra). Once the toys are frozen, give the frozen bowl to your child with an extra bowl of warm water and maybe some tools (like a hammer) to melt and “rescue” their toy friends.
Another mama-to-mama I’d like to drop for this one: It’s best to do this activity outdoors, like in your garden or on the balcony (like we did), because things can get wet and a little chaotic, especially if you give your kids those mini wooden hammers for the rescue mission. Also, watch out for stray ice pieces flying if hammers are involved. And if you’d rather skip the hammers, just go with the gentler (and just as fun) ways to melt the ice. Give your kids warm water in squeeze bottles, or even just cups to pour slowly over the frozen toys – not only does it keep the mess under control, but it also turns the whole thing into a mini science experiment.
4. Messy Muddy Fun
I’m not gonna lie, this one wasn’t my favourite at all, but it made the list because my kids were obsessed with it and it’s sensory play, so I imagined that almost every other kid would be in love with it as well. And if you were wondering, this isn’t actual mud, we legit created the ‘mud’ from scratch, and right now it’s currently on our list of summer activities to do.
Supplies:
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder (or washable brown paint)
- Shaving cream
- Tray or bin
- Toy cars or animals, cleaning sponges
What to do:
Mix flour, cocoa, and shaving cream until it’s thick and squishy, then add their toys for the pretend muddy play. Next, add a bowl of soapy water and a sponge next to the muddy bowl for a DIY car/toy wash station.
Yet another mama-to-mama note (but this time a safety precaution note): While shaving cream is fun and all to play with, we all know it’s not taste-safe. So please, if you’re gonna try this activity, keep an eye on your little ones while they play, especially if they’re still in the “I taste everything” phase (like my 15-month-old is). And if your kid has sensitive skin, please do a quick patch test first, because all we want are giggles, and not rashes!
5. Rock Painting
Ohhh, unlike the muddy wash one, this one is my favourite. Maybe it’s because I joined in on the painting too, I don’t know, but I loved how it kept them focused trying to design their stones. It started on our walk home from kindergarten, and just like that it’s now also on our go-to quiet activity list.
Supplies:
- Smooth stones
- Washable paint or paint markers
- Brushes, water cups, and a newspaper to protect surfaces
What to do:
Rinse and dry the rocks, give them to your kiddos and let them paint and design them however they like. If you want to make it a little silly, add googly eyes or if you want to teach a little kindness, make kindness stones to hide around your neighbourhood.
Another reason I love this crafting activity is because it’s calming, and my kids got to feel proud of their little masterpieces.
If you’d like even more simple sensory ideas that use everyday materials, I always love the creative and realistic activities shared by Busy Toddler. I’ve tried a couple of them myself, and they’ve worked for me.
Conclusion
These summer activities double as sensory play, so you can add them to that list too! And the best part is that they can be set up with just a few everyday materials. All you is a little willingness to join in, and you’ll create fun experiences your child will love.
If this post gave you ideas, share it with a mom who needs some screen-free sanity this summer, and pin this post for your next big idea.
