38 Fun Summer Activities for Kids: Outdoor Games, Water Play, DIY Crafts & Backyard Adventures

Looking for the best summer activities for kids to keep them active, laughing, and entertained all season long? Whether you’re planning a backyard play day, a summer party, or just trying to beat the heat, this massive list of outdoor games, water activities, creative crafts, and hilarious challenges is packed with fun things to do with kids during summer.

From slip-and-slide races and water balloon relays to DIY popsicle making and messy backyard games, these ideas are perfect for all ages—toddlers, big kids, tweens, and even teens! Most of these summer games for kids require little to no prep and can be done right in your backyard or at the park with everyday items like hula hoops, sponges, buckets, and pool noodles.

Get ready for a summer filled with splashy fun, laugh-out-loud challenges, friendly competition, and creative energy-burning ideas that your kids will remember forever!

1. Slip and Slide Races

Lay down a slip and slide on your lawn and let kids race to the end. Add a bit of dish soap for extra speed and fun.

2. Wet Sponge Dodgeball

Classic dodgeball but with wet sponges instead of balls. When hit, you’re “out” but also get a refreshing splash—perfect for a hot day and guaranteed laughs!

3. Pool Ring Toss

Set up pool floats or rings in a small pool and have kids toss lightweight balls or rings to land inside them. Great for coordination and laughter.

4. Backyard Bonfire and Marshmallow Roast

Let kids gather around a safe, supervised bonfire to roast marshmallows and share summer stories under the stars.

5. Sponge Soaker Tag

Soak large sponges in water and let kids toss them at each other in a friendly game of tag. It’s splashy and safe!

6. Water Pistol Battle

Provide each child with a water gun and set up teams for a backyard water war. Add hiding spots for more strategy!

7. Solstice Scavenger Hunt

Create a summer-themed treasure hunt with clues hidden around your yard or park. Include items like “a yellow flower” or “a smooth rock.”

8. Backyard Obstacle Course

Use hula hoops, cones, pool noodles, and ropes to create a fun and challenging course. Let kids race for the best time.

9. Make-Your-Own Popsicles

Set up a popsicle station with juices, fruit, and molds. Kids can mix their own flavors and enjoy them later in the day.

10. Lawn Bowling with Soda Bottles

Fill empty soda bottles with a bit of water and line them up like bowling pins. Use a medium-sized ball to knock them down.

11. Foam and Paint Twister

Turn a Twister mat into a sensory experience by adding foam soap or washable paint to the circles. Slippery fun guaranteed!

12. Tug of War with Water Pit

Place a small kiddie pool or water pit in the middle of the tug-of-war zone. The losing team gets a soaking splash!

13. Sprinkler Limbo

Use a sprinkler instead of a limbo stick. Kids must bend backward under the spray—great for giggles and cooling off.

14. Water Balloon Piñata Relay

Hang water-filled balloons on a rope and have kids take turns breaking them while blindfolded. Splashy surprises await!

15. Musical Sprinkle Freeze

Play music while kids dance around sprinklers. When the music stops, they must freeze—even with water splashing all over!

16. Sun Art with Nature

Use construction paper and leaves or flowers to create sun prints. Leave them out in the sun and watch the patterns appear.

17. Glow Stick Dance Party

When the sun goes down, hand out glow sticks and crank up the tunes for a twilight dance party.

18. Giant Bubbles Station

Use string and sticks to make oversized bubble wands and let the kids run wild chasing giant bubbles.

19. Water Cup Relay

Kids race with a cup full of water to fill up a container on the other side of the yard. The team with the most water wins.

20. Sidewalk Chalk Mural

Give kids buckets of chalk and let them cover the driveway in colorful summer scenes.

21. Beach Ball Bounce Game

Keep a beach ball in the air as long as possible. Add challenges like “no hands allowed” for older kids.

22. Water Balloon Spoon Race

Just like an egg race, but with water balloons! Tricky and splashy fun.

23. Parachute Popcorn

Use a parachute (or large sheet) and soft balls. Bounce the “popcorn” and try not to let it fly off!

24. Cup Stacking Tournament

Who can stack and unstack the fastest? Use plastic cups for a high-energy challenge.

25. Yard Yahtzee

Make giant dice from foam or cardboard and play Yahtzee outdoors.

26. Glow-in-the-Dark Ring Toss

Play ring toss with glow sticks after sunset for nighttime excitement.

27. Kiddie Pool Fishing

Place toy fish in a kiddie pool and let kids catch them with toy rods or nets.

28. Obstacle Maze with String

Create a “laser” maze with string across a hallway or between trees, and let kids try to get through without touching.

29. Kiddie Pool Duck Race

Float rubber ducks in a kiddie pool and let kids race them using straws to blow air behind the ducks.

30. Balloon Stomp

Tie balloons to each child's ankle with a string and have them try to pop each other’s balloons by stomping. Last balloon wins!

31. Flower Crown Making

Provide flowers, leaves, and floral wire or pipe cleaners so kids can make their own summer flower crowns.

32. Water Transfer Challenge

Give kids cups with holes in the bottom and have them race to transfer water from one bucket to another. Soaking guaranteed!

33. Paper Airplane Contest

Let kids design and decorate their own paper airplanes and hold contests for distance, loops, and accuracy.

34. T-shirt Tie-Dye Party

Have a sunny tie-dye session outdoors. Kids create their own vibrant summer shirts to take home.

35. Sidewalk Simon Says

Play Simon Says using sidewalk chalk squares as prompts for actions—jump to green, spin on yellow, etc.

36. Name That Tune or Get Dumped in the Pool

Play a classic music guessing game where kids have to name the song as quickly as possible. If they miss or take too long, splash! They get gently dumped into the pool. It’s a hilarious way to combine music, quick thinking, and cooling off on a hot solstice day!

37. Trivia Splash Challenge

Host a trivia game with fun summer-themed questions. Every time a player answers incorrectly, they have to dunk their head in a bucket of cold water—first in flour for a silly surprise, then rinse off in water! It adds a messy, funny twist that keeps everyone engaged and laughing.

38. Water Balloon Roulette

Fill some balloons with water and a few with air only. Kids take turns popping them over their heads. Who will get soaked? It’s suspense and surprise rolled into one!

Ready for the Best Summer Ever?

With these 38 summer activities for kids, you’ll never run out of fun ways to fill those sunny days. Whether your child loves splashing in water, racing through obstacle courses, getting creative with crafts, or playing silly backyard games, there’s something here for every age and energy level.

These games encourage outdoor play, teamwork, imagination, and most of all—laughter. The best part? Most can be done with minimal supplies and right at home. So gather your towels, grab the water balloons, prep some snacks, and let the summer memories begin.

Here’s to a season full of sunshine, smiles, and screen-free fun! 🌈💦🎉