• Fun Summer Activities for Kids – 15 Creative Ideas Indoors & Outdoors

    Play and movement 

    Published 2025-06-03

    The sun is out, ice cream is melting, and little feet are full of energy – summer is here! But what do you do when the sandbox has lost its charm or the weather turns stormy? No worries! Here are 15 fun, low-barrier and imaginative activity ideas that work great both indoors and out in the backyard.

    1. Painting with water

    All you need is a brush and a bucket of water. Let your kids “paint” on the sidewalk, fence or patio. The water dries quickly, ready for their next masterpiece.

    Tip: Works great on the balcony too – or use paper taped to a wall!

    Child painting on pavement with water – creative backyard summer fun for kids
    Child in sunglasses enjoying a sunny day – fun summer activities for kids

    2. Create your own ice cream bar

    Let the kids choose their own toppings – fruit, sprinkles, cookies or chocolate. Creativity and sweetness in one bowl!

    Tip: Try frozen yogurt balls or homemade ice pops for a healthier twist.

    3. Indoor pillow maze

    Spread out blankets and pillows, use chairs as tunnels – and voilà, your own home adventure maze! Kids can crawl, hide and make up their own rules.

    Tip: Add flashlights and stuffed animals for a touch of mystery.

    4. DIY mini pizzas

    Let kids build their own mini pizzas: spread tomato sauce, sprinkle cheese and decorate with toppings like corn, peppers or pineapple.

    Tip: Use tortilla wraps for quick and easy pizza bases.

    5. Backyard or indoor treasure hunt

    Hide little surprises and draw simple clues or write rhyming hints. It’ll feel like a real pirate adventure!

    Tip: Use colorful balloons as markers – perfect for younger kids.

    6. Backyard bubble foam fun

    Fill a tub with water and dish soap – let the kids mix and whisk up mega bubbles.

    Tip: Add a spoonful of cornstarch to make the foam thicker and longer-lasting.

    7. Indoor obstacle course

    Create a course using cushions, toys and furniture – jumping, crawling, balancing. Turn the house into a playground!

    Tip: Try the classic “floor is lava” game for extra challenge and giggles.

    8. Bubble painting

    Mix water, dish soap and food coloring. Blow bubbles with a straw and press paper on top for fizzy, colorful artwork!

    Kids relaxing in a backyard fort – calm and cozy summer fun for children
    Mom painting her daughter’s face – creative and cozy summer activity for kids

    9. Backyard fort building

    Grab some sheets, string and chairs – and build a cozy summer fort in the yard. Fill it with pillows and books for a perfect hideout.

    10. Face painting at home

    Simple butterflies, funny mustaches or superhero masks always bring smiles. Use skin-safe paints!

    Tip: Let kids paint the grown-ups too – guaranteed laughs!

    11. Water balloon toss

    Fill balloons with water and go wild outside. For a tidier version, fill them halfway and toss into a bucket instead.

    Kids exploring bugs in the grass – outdoor discovery and nature fun for kids
    Kids playing with water balloons – energetic and fun summer activity for children

    12. Backyard nature bingo

    Make a bingo card with things to find: an ant, a leaf, a stone, a feather… Suddenly the backyard turns into an adventure zone!

    13. Story bag

    Fill a cloth bag with small random objects. Kids pull out one at a time and invent a story around it. The sillier, the better!

    14. Activity sticks in a jar

    Write fun tasks on popsicle sticks or slips of paper: “Hop like a kangaroo”, “Draw a sun”, “Find three pebbles”. Pull one out and go!

    Tip: Let the kids write their own ideas and keep adding more as the day goes on.

    15. Rainy day puppet show

    Use socks, paper bags or craft bits to create silly characters. The stage can be behind the couch or a hanging sheet.

    Tip: Make up a group story where everyone’s puppet gets a part.

    A Day Full of Play and Movement – Make Summer Magic at Leo’s

    Some days you just want something different – a place where kids can move freely, run wild and have fun, without needing a full plan from mom or dad.

    That’s where Leo’s comes in! Our indoor adventure park is packed with movement, joy and excitement – trampolines, climbing labyrinths, slides and our famous volcano slide. Kids get to play their way, explore freely and burn off that boundless energy.

    You can jump in or take a well-earned breather. And when hunger strikes, Leo’s Bistro has got tasty treats for the whole crew.

    Book your playtime online and find your nearest park. Welcome to the jungle – where summer fun never stops, rain or shine!

    Book a playtime
    Fun Summer Activities for Kids – 15 Creative Ideas Indoors & Outdoors | Leo's