35 Backyard Activities For Kids This Summer

This post shares 35 fun backyard activities for kids this Summer.

As a mother of two I can attest to how hard it is to keep kids entertained during the Summer months. You don’t always want to go out and about either especially if it is a hot day. So, it’s important to find a way to have fun in your own backyard! So, I have put together my list of fun backyard activities for kids this Summer.

1. DIY Outdoor Chalkboard

This fun outdoor chalkboard is incredibly easy to DIY. Your kids will have hours of fun using their imagination creating beautiful pictures.

2. Tin Can Bowling

We love an activity where you are able to use recycled materials. Keep your cans and paint them a variety of different colors. Then you just need a small ball which you could easily get from the dollar store.

3. Giant-Sized Rhyming Memory Game

4. Pool Noodle Obstacle Course 

Using only pool noodles, pencils, and duct tape you too can have a pool noodle obstacle course in your own backyard. We love such an innovative idea with minimal materials.

5. Homemade Bubble Blower

I think bubbles are a hit at any age! This DIY bubble maker is the perfect backyard activity for your little one. Here is the recipe for your homemade bubbles as well.

6. DIY Puffy Sidewalk Paint

You can paint it on the sidewalk with a paintbrush or shake it up using these condiment bottles and then spray it on the sidewalk.

7.  Pool Noodle Sprinkler

If you made a pool noodle obstacle course and have some extras here is a great idea for you! Connect a few to make an extra long one!

8. Giant Slip N Slide

While most backyards won’t have a hill like this somewhere in your neighborhood will! This giant slip n slide is a fun activity for all ages and is cheap and simple to set up.

9. Ice Block With Treasures

Swing by the dollar store and pickup a few new treasures that your kiddo would like. Freeze it in a plastic container of your choosing it can be large or small. Be sure to grab some goggles for safety as well.

10. Glow In The Dark Ring Toss

Simply purchase some 12 inch glow sticks to put into the ground and then some glow in the dark bracelets and you have yourself a ring toss game to play in the dark!

11. Nature Sculptures

With just some clay and some exploring you can make this beautiful craft! Get out into nature and find some leaves, flowers, shells, and more.

12. Outdoor Lounge

Turn your backyard into a movie theatre with a kid swimming pool, pillows, blankets, and a projector!

13.  PVC Sand and Water Table

No sense in paying for those expensive sand and water tables from your local Walmart. You can make your own using PVC pipe and a large tote container from Home Depot.

14. Tire Sand Box

Have a spare tire hanging around your garage? Turn it into a sandbox for your kids! We love being able to use recycled things to make fun activities for your family.

15. Hanging Pallet Swing

Pallets are very reasonably priced and sometimes if you’re lucky people are giving them away! Attach some rope and put it onto your upper deck and you have yourself a fun and unique swing.

16. Pop Bottle Sprinkler

Some Summer days are scorchers and a sprinkler can come in handy. If you don’t have one or just want to change it up this pop bottle sprinkler inspo is for you! Poke different sized holes into an empty 2L put your hose inside and hang it up high.

17.  American Ninja Zipline

80 foot zip line can be attached to 2 healthy trees or sturdy posts. Kit includes steel trolley, seat with adjustable length seat, 83′ galvanized steel cable, 5′ sling cable, turnbuckle with safety back up, tightening wrench and u clamps.

18. Water Sponge Bombs

Nothing beats a hot day like a good ol’ fashioned Water Fight, and these Sponge Bombs are sure to get everyone good and wet!

19. Squirt Gun Painting

Fill your squirt guns with water and paint and give them a good shake. Simply put up some paper on a fence and squirt away to make some art.

20. Tic Tac Toe

Paint a few river rocks, add a DIY board with wood dowels, and keep your kids occupied for hours

21. Yard Yahtzee

Giant Yard Dice Game is one of the classic puzzle dice game which plays outdoor. Simple game rule and enrich gameplay provides endless fun for kids and adults.

22. Cornhole Game

The GoSports PVC frame Corn hole game was designed to be the most portable Corn hole set available. The game folds down into a compact carrying case and weighs under 10 pounds so you can easily take them everywhere. The ‘boards’ are built using a robust PVC frame with a nylon fabric surface.

23. Giant Connect 4 

My kids have been obsessed with Connect 4 for forever. This giant game is perfect to have set up in your yard for hours of fun.

 

24. Build A Lemonade Stand

Build your kiddos a lemonade stand and put them to work! This is sure to be lots of fun and they can make a little spending money.

25.  Build An In Ground Trampoline

An in ground trampoline is slightly safter than a regular one as you dont have as far to fall. This DIY would run you about $300 not including the cost of the trampoline itself.

26. Bubble Foam Water Table

Bubble foam is the result of soap and water, blended together at high speeds (think blender or mixer).  What kid ( or adult) could resist playing in that!?

27. Tire Hanging Bridge

Have a set of tires that you can no longer use for your vehicle? Consider using them to make this fun outdoor hanging bridge in your backyard!

28. Lawn Twister

We all know this classic game but have you ever done it DIY style? All you need is spray paint and you can easily make yourself a board to spin for which color.

29. Water Obstacle Course

Want to transform your backyard into an exciting water adventure? A water obstacle course is the answer! This activity turns ordinary outdoor play into a thrilling challenge for kids.

30. Invest In An Outdoor Playset

Finding a versatile playset for your little ones can be well worth the investment. Choosing one that includes activities your kids already love to do is important. You can buy brand new or you can sometimes find used sets online for a reasonable price.

31. Kids Instant Camera

We all know instant cameras generally aren’t built with little ones in mind. However, the Kidamento is! This instant camera is the perfect companion for your child while they explore the outdoors.

32. Homemade Sidewalk Chalk

With just a handful of ingredients you can make your very own sidewalk chalk. Get creative with different colors and various shapes to make it unique just like you!

33. Pool Noodle Boats

Pool noodles seem to be the hero of Summer. Cut up a pool noodle and add in a sail and any other fun decorations you like.

34. Painted Box Cake Activity

We all have extra boxes kicking around the garage. Why not give them a second life as a beautifully painted wedding cake!?

35. Build A Cardboard Bird House

Build a colorful bird house out of cardboard paper. Be sure to add some popsicle sticks for somewhere for your birds to perch!

 

Conclusion: Backyard Activities For Kids This Summer

We hope our list of backyard activities for kids to do this Summer helped inspire you to get outside! If there are any ideas you feel like we should be adding to our list please comment below.