40 Summer Activities for Kids and Adults

Summer break is here! Most of us welcome the warm weather and time off from school and work with open arms.

Whether you’re looking for activities to fill your summer bucket list for yourself, kids, or the whole family, check out these summer activities that will make your summer fun and memorable for everyone.

Fun summer activities for kids

Keep boredom at bay with these ideas that will keep the kids entertained all summer long:

1. Visit local parks. Create a list of parks in your area and post it on the fridge. Cross it off each time you visit one. It’s a great way to explore your city while visiting new places.
2. Make a stop at the ice cream truck. There’s nothing better on a summer day than ice cream! Next time the ice cream truck comes around, your kids will love to choose their own treat. If your street doesn’t get ice cream trucks, make homemade ice cream or popsicles at home!
3. Stock up on bubbles. What kid doesn’t love to blow bubbles? Bubbles are a simple, inexpensive way to have fun outside.
4. Get crafty. A rainy day is the perfect time for crafting. Kids will love activities like making their own playdough, tie-dye, or making a scrapbook of photos of your adventures together.
5. Make a bird feeder. A mason jar, empty soda bottle, and even Legos can be repurposed into a bird feeder! This is a fun way to learn more about nature and local birds, as well.
6. Fly a kite. Summertime is the perfect opportunity to fly a kite. Just find an open field or yard for this a fun activity for kids of all ages.
7. Sign up for summer camp. If your kiddos are ready to get out of the house, sign them up for a local summer or day camp. This is a great way for them to make new friends and have fun outside.
8. Plant a garden. Summer months are perfect for planting a simple garden. Don’t have space for one in the yard? No problem! Tomatoes, lettuce, herbs, and flowers are perfect for container gardening.
9. Play backyard games. Have fun in your own backyard with games like tag, frisbee, or hide and seek.
10. Set up a sprinkler. Turn on the sprinklers for a quick and easy way to cool down outside on a hot day. You can even take the fun up a notch with a slip-n-slide.

Summer activities for the whole family

1. Have a squirt gun fight. Some cheap water guns are a great way to cool off as a family on a hot afternoon.
2. Visit a water park. Head to a local water park for a fun day trip with the family.
3. Bring the beach to your backyard. Set up a sandbox and build sandcastles or sand sculptures outside. You can even have a friendly family competition and vote on your favorites.
4. Play board games. When you feel like staying in, board games are a great way to spend time together as a family.
5. Have a water balloon fight. If squirt guns aren’t your thing, a water balloon fight is a fun family activity for a hot summer day.
6. Go to a baseball game. This all-American activity is a fun way to bond as a family and cheer on your local team.
7. Have an outdoor movie night. Set up a projector or your laptop, some blankets, and get some snacks and watch movies under the stars.
8. Make S’mores. Make this classic summer treat or roast some hots dogs in a fire pit outside.
9. Hold a family Summer Olympics. Feeling sporty? Hold your own Olympics with a backyard obstacle course, races, or other age-appropriate activities.
10. Visit a state park. Summer is the perfect time to visit a state park. Check out this list to find the closest one to you.
11. Have a backyard campout. Set up some tents and camp out in your own backyard! You can go stargazing, roast marshmallows, or tell stories while camping outside.

Solo summer activities

Sometimes, there’s nothing better than a little “me” time. Here are some fun things for parties of one:

1. Take a class. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to do something, now’s your chance! Look at your local rec center for classes in your area.
2. Go on a road trip. Hit the open road for a quick (or long!) trip to a place you’ve always wanted to visit.
3. Go to a drive-in. A drive-in movie is a fun experience with a group or solo.
4. Join a sports league. You can find a local league for just about any sport, like soccer, volleyball, or running.
5. Get organized. Take a day or two to organize a closet, garage, or area of your home you’ve been meaning to get to. You’ll feel productive and accomplished.
6. Take up an outdoor activity. Go for a bike ride or dust off your roller skates and enjoy the great outdoors. Even walking is a great outdoor activity.
7. Volunteer. If you have some time on your hands, use it to volunteer. Animal shelters, food banks, and community cleanups can always use your help!
8. Set up a hammock. Create a relaxing retreat in your backyard with a hammock, porch swing, or somewhere you go to read a book, meditate, or just enjoy nature.
9. Make some home improvements. Refresh your home for summer with a fun DIY activity. Paint a room, refinish furniture, or hang some new art.

Summer activities for adults

If you want to have some fun with your partner or friends sans kids, there are plenty of activities you can enjoy this summer. Here are a few fun ideas for grown-ups:

1. Host a BBQ. Invite your friends over for a backyard BBQ to enjoy food and games with friends.
2. Visit a farmer’s market. Check out your local farmer’s market and support local businesses in the process.
3. See a fireworks show. The 4th of July is the perfect time to see fireworks. Check out your local listings and plan ahead.
4. Go on a couple’s camping trip. If you have an outdoorsy friends group, why not take a camping trip together?
5. Start a summer book club. Get a group of friends together and start a summer book club. It’s the perfect way to be social while reading some new books.
6. Have a backyard fire. Sit by the fire and roast marshmallows, sip a glass of wine, or just talk. It’s a great way to relax after a long day.
7. Visit a local carnival. Gather a group of friends and visit the local fair or carnival. You’ll feel like kids again riding the rides and sampling fair foods.
8. Plan a day trip. No time for a multi-day getaway? Take a day trip! Check out a museum, go for a hike, or pamper yourselves at a day spa.
9. Set a fitness goal. Set a goal like running a 5K, doing a triathlon, or learning a new sport. And by setting a goal with a partner or friend, you can motivate each other along the way.
10. Be a local tourist. When’s the last time you’ve explored your city? Be tourists for a day and visit a museum, art gallery, or attraction you haven’t been to yet.

Summer safety tips

When it comes to planning and carrying out your summer activities, remember—safety first! Many summer-related threats are completely preventable with a little preparation and a few safeguards.

Here are a few safety tips to keep yourself, family, and homes safe this summer:

Stay safe in the heat and sun

While the summer heat is often a welcome relief after cold winters and chilly springs, heat exposure can cause illness and even death. This is especially true if you live in California, Texas, or Arizona—the three states responsible for one-third of heat-related deaths in the US.

Things you can do to prevent heatstroke or heat exhaustion include:

• Stay hydrated when outside. Make sure everyone has access to plenty of water, and remind kids to drink regularly.
• Never, ever leave children or pets in the car during summer months—even for a few minutes or even with the window down. Each year, approximately 38 children and 78 pets die in hot cars. Don’t take a chance on your kids and pets in hot weather.
• Be aware of heat exhaustion and heat stoke symptoms, including:
  • Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headache, dizziness, or light-headedness
  • Muscle cramping or weakness
  • Rapid pulse

Nothing puts a damper on summer fun like a sunburn. Protect your skin while out in the sun with these tips:

• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. (Tip: Higher SPF numbers mean better protection.)
• Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or immediately after swimming or sweating.
• Keep babies out of the sun. Sunscreen is not recommended for babies under 6 months of age. Instead, keep them out of the sun, in a shaded area, and dress them in protective clothing if they’ll be in the sun.
• Check your sunscreen’s expiration date. Better yet, buy new sunscreen each year—the shelf life is shorter if exposed to extreme temperatures.

Keep your home safe while you’re away

According to statistics from the FBI, the number of home break-ins are at their highest in June, July, and August and during the daytime, when people are away from home.

Whether you’re away on vacation or at the park for an afternoon picnic, you can keep your home safe from break-ins with these tips:

• Always lock doors and windows before you leave. This simple action can help prevent over 50% of home break-ins, which occur through the front or back doors. Tip: A smart lock that automatically locks or can be locked remotely will help ensure your doors are always locked.
• Install security lighting. Burglars target homes that look like no one’s home, and lighting is a great way to enhance your home’s security. Smart lighting that you can control from an app can keep your home well-lit even while you’re away.
• Consider a home security system. When it comes to home safety, nothing beats a monitored home security system. Not only does it protect against break-ins, but it will also monitor safety alarms for fire and carbon monoxide and contact emergency responders on your behalf.

Get ready for a great summer for you, your friends, and your family with these activities that will help you make happy memories for years to come. And, if you are looking to get your home in top safety shape for summer, call us at 855.822.1220 for a free consultation today.