50 Fun Summer Activities, Crafts & Field Trips (from Pre-K to Teens!)

Are you thinking about ditching the high price of summer camp for your kids and doing your own DIY summer camp at home? Awesome! Here are 50 fun summer activities- including craft projects, backyard games, and field trips for you to make your summer fantastic!

Fun Summer Activities- For the Backyard!

The basis for your summer camp at home should be fun things that you can do in your own backyard. And ideally- you set them up with your kids at the beginning of the summer, and then you can let them head outside to play on their own- with their siblings or friends!

Backyard Activities	Ages 4-8	Tweens	Teens
Grow a Vegetable Garden	X	X	X
Ride Bikes and Scooters	X
Driveway Basketball Games	X	X	X
Outdoor Water Play	X	X
Backyard Zipline		X	X
Obstacle Course / Ninja Course	X	X	X
Backyard Camping	X	X
Driveway Games with Sidewalk Chalk	X
Make Your Own Slip & Slide	X
Backyard Games		X	X

Fun Summer Activities- That Can Be Enjoyed Indoors!

You'll want to have some fun summer activities planned for indoors as well- not only in the event of rainy days, but some afternoons it's just too hot to be outside all day- and you'll want to cool off inside while still having fun!

Indoor Activities	Ages 4-8	Tweens	Teens
Bring a “Friend” to Dinner	X
Virtual Roller Coaster Ride	X	X	X
Card Games for Kids / Poker Game	X	X	X
Karaoke and Just Dance “Parties”	X	X	X
Escape Room Games		X	X
Minute to Win It Games		X	X
Kids Cooking Class	X	X
Learn a New Hobby Online		X	X
The 12 Best Board Games for Tweens!		X
Energy-Busting Indoor Games	X

 

Fun Summer Crafts

One of my favorite things to do with my kids in the summer is crafting. I love to dig out all of the craft kits that they received as birthday gifts, but we never had the chance to make. And I especially love finding cool new ideas online and making them together!

Crafts	Ages 4-8	Tweens	Teens
Teach Your Kids to Draw	X	X	X
Make Your Own Lava Lamp	X
Create CD Case Mazes	X
Giant Bubbles	X	X
Tie Dye T-Shirts	X	X	X
Origami for Kids		X	X
Melty Beads	X
Wooden Tops	X
Stamped Rocks	X	X
Jeans Pockets Notebooks		X	X

Fun Local Field Trips

I like to plan outings that I think of as “local field trips” once a twice a week during the summer. These are places that are either free or don't cost a lot of money (especially if you purchase a family membership), and easy to visit for a couple of hours.

Local Field Trips	Ages 4-8	Tweens	Teens
Family Hiking	X	X	X
Mini Golf	X	X	X
Bowling	X	X	X
Classic Family Movies	X	X	X
Geocaching	X	X	X
Zoos and Aquariums	X	X
Science Centers and Museums	X	X
Playgrounds	X
Strawberry / Apple Picking	X	X	X
Farm Visit	X

Summer Camp at Home Big Adventures

And no summer camp at home plans would be complete without some big adventures! Whether you save these to do on weekends with your spouse or join up with another family doing their own summer camp at home thing- these are the kinds of outings that will create lasting memories of a great summer together!

Big Adventures	Ages 4-8	Tweens	Teens
State Parks	X	X	X
Water Parks	X	X	X
Factory Tours	X	X	X
Minor League Baseball Game	X	X	X
Waterfalls	X	X	X
Caves	X	X	X
Camping	X	X	X
Sculpture Garden	X	X	X
Show Your Kids Where You Grew Up	X	X	X
Aerial Park	X	X	X

Looking for some great ideas for your DIY Summer Camp?

Please check out my DIY Summer Camp page for lots of ideas on how to host your own kids summer camp at home!

Here are some more great summer ideas for you:

• Why We Hold Our Own Kids Summer Camp at Home
• Free Family Summer Bucket List Printable
• Free Printable Summer Schedule