Easy DIY Summer Activities for Kids

girl playing in the pool easy DIY summer activities for kids

With the school year coming to a close and the weather heating up, that means summer is just around the corner! Are you looking for fun summer activities to keep your kids busy (when they’re not off at summer camp) while beating the heat? Check out these easy DIY summer activities for kids of all ages!

The Best Easy DIY Summer Activities for Kids

These water-based, easy DIY summer activities for kids are sure to provide some relief from the summer heat and infuse some creativity into your routine!

Water Balloon Piñatas

Do you have a clothesline and clothespins? Water and balloons? Then you have everything you need for this cheap and fun activity! Fill several balloons with water from the garden hose and knot them closed. Hang them up in a row on your clothesline in your backyard by the ends with your clothespins. Make sure your kids are in bathing suits and give them something sharp (like a toothpick or skewer) to pop the balloons with. Then, just pop away! Your little ones will be gigging and cooled off in no time. *Parent supervision is recommended when allowing kids to use sharp instruments. 

‘Paint’ With Water

For this easy and no-mess way of painting, fill up a bucket or two with water. Next, gather a few paintbrushes of different sizes and have your kiddos ‘paint’ your driveway, patio, or sidewalk. Then, just let their imaginations go wild! On hot days, the water will even evaporate quickly so that they can paint masterpieces over and over again on the same surface. 

Spray Bottle Freeze Tag

Are your kids fans of freeze tag? Try out this fun spin on the classic game! First, fill up a spray bottle (try out these cute ones from Melissa and Doug for your toddlers and preschoolers) with cool water and gather your players. You can even add in some food coloring to make the water a fun color! Then, designate a player to be ‘it’ and give them the spray bottle. Play the game as normal, but the player who is ‘it can only tag others with the spray bottle. So fun! 

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Ice

For this fun spin on traditional sidewalk chalk that lets kids see all the colors melt and blend, you’ll need these supplies. 

  • Corn Starch
  • Water
  • Sidewalk Chalk  (the leftover remnants of old chalk are perfect for this)
  • Ice Cube Tray – or small plastic containers
  • Mini Craft Sticks
  • Mini grater 
  • Medium measuring cup with a tapered spout 

Start this DIY by grating a piece of sidewalk chalk in the color of your choice into your measuring cup. You’ll use about half a piece per color. Then, add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to your measuring cup, 4 tablespoons of water, and mix well. Next, pour the mixture into your ice cube tray or small container (make sure it’s freezer safe!). You can repeat for each color you’d like to make. This recipe will fill 2-3 ice cubes per color. 

Once your ice cube trays are full, place a mini popsicle stick in each cube. You may have to lean the popsicle stick to the side in each. Finally, place your ice cube trays in the freezer. Remove a few minutes before you plan on doing the activity, so your ‘paint-sicles’ will pop out easily (make sure your littlest kiddos know these aren’t edible!) Finally, let your kids go crazy outside with the colors! 

The paint-sicles will melt quickly, so it’s best to do this activity on a cooler summer day. The colors will melt and blend beautifully on your driveway or patio and provide plenty of creative entertainment. When it’s time for clean-up, hose down the painted area with your garden hose on the highest-pressure setting to ensure you won’t be left with stains. 

Tastiest DIY Summer Activities for Kids: Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag

Everyone loves ice cream on a hot summer day- try out this easy homemade ice cream recipe your kids will love helping with

homemade ice cream for Easy DIY Summer Activities for Kids

Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag

Keep the kids busy with this easy and yummy treat!
4.60 from 5 votes
Prep Time 17 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 159 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1-1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2-1/2 cups ice cubes
  • 5 tbsp salt

Instructions
 

Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag

  • Add the cream, milk, sugar, and vanilla to one ziplock bag and mix with a spoon.
  • Push out any air from the bag and seal it shut.
  • Add the ice and salt to the second bag and mix around.
  • Put the sealed ice cream bag into the bag with the ice, push the air out, and seal shut.
  • Shake the ice cream bag around the ice for about 12 minutes until the ice cream starts to harden. This is the fun part for kiddos! Your ice cream will be the soft-serve consistency. If you prefer your ice cream harder, continue to freeze it within the bag for a few more minutes
  • Serve and eat!

Nutrition

Calories: 159kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 8756mgPotassium: 95mgSugar: 9gVitamin A: 317IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 86mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Easy DIY Summer Activities for Kids

Do you have a Regal theater near you? Check out their $1 summer kids movie series! Tickets are just $1 every Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the summer, with a lot of hit movie options to choose from. See their schedule for details!

Be sure to check your local businesses and your city/town for summer activities. Many offer inexpensive and fun things for kids like scavenger hunts with different themes, picnics and movies in the park, geocaching and hiking, and even free activities like kids bowl free programs. Libraries often have fun events like storytimes and reading with service dogs as well!

Have you tried any of these fun activities with your kids? Do you have any more recommendations for easy DIY summer activities for kids? Let your friends and family know on FamilyApp!

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