Summer is a season for exploration, play, and discovery. It’s also an opportunity for parents to connect with their children and create lasting memories. Forget just filling the days; let’s make them count. We’ve put together a list of creative and engaging summer activities for kids designed to spark imagination, encourage learning, and strengthen the bond between you and your little ones.

Sensory exploration (0-12 months)

• Outdoor tummy time: spread a blanket in a shaded area and let your baby enjoy some tummy time outdoors. The sights, sounds, and smells of nature will provide a stimulating experience. Point out interesting leaves or flowers to engage their vision.
• Water play: it’s never too early to introduce your baby to basic science concepts! Fill a tub or kiddie pool with water and add different containers such as bowls, cups, bottles, or bath toys. Show your child how water pours and splashes. Talk aloud about which objects sink or float.
• A nature mobile: collect leaves, flowers, and small branches. Help your baby paint or decorate them with non-toxic paints and hang them from a sturdy branch or hoop to create a natural mobile. 

Discovery (toddlers and twos)

• Nature collage: go on a nature walk and collect leaves, twigs, flowers, and rocks. Use these to create collages or even paint the rocks. This connects them with nature and encourages artistic expression.
• Water table fun: a water table is a toddler’s (and parent’s) best friend during the summer. Add bath toys, boats, and funnels for endless splashing and pouring fun. This develops fine motor skills and introduces early math and science concepts.
• Sidewalk chalk adventures: let your toddler unleash their inner artist with sidewalk chalk. Draw shapes, animals, or just scribble freely to encourage creativity and fine and gross motor skills.
• Bubble bonanza: blowing bubbles is a classic that toddlers adore. Chase the bubbles, try to catch them, or watch them pop. Take this a step further and make your own bubbles!  Your little scientist will enjoy squirting the soap, adding the water, and mixing it all up.   These activities improve hand-eye coordination and provide lots of giggles.
• Miniature garden: help your toddler plant easy-to-grow flowers or herbs in small pots. Let them water the plants and watch them grow. Your child will develop newfound independence and responsibility.
• Summer-themed open-ended art: make sun catchers, paint seashells, or create collages using summer-themed materials like glitter, construction paper, and natural elements. This encourages artistic expression and enhances fine motor skills. 

Learning through play (preschoolers)

• Backyard camping: set up a tent in your backyard (or indoors if the weather doesn’t permit) and have a mini camping adventure. Tell stories around a “campfire” (battery-operated candles), sing silly songs, and sleep under the stars. Your child’s imagination will grow.
• Homemade lemonade stand: a lemonade stand offers a lot for your little one, from basic math skills to social interaction, to entrepreneurship. Offer further participation by  having your child help you make the lemonade, allowing them to learn independence with mixing, pouring, and more. 
• Water balloon toss: a classic, fill water balloons and toss them back and forth with your child. They will learn some great hand-eye coordination and, when the balloons inevitably break, cool off in the summer sun. 
• Nature journal: encourage your preschooler to keep a nature journal. Your child can draw pictures of flowers or animals, collect leaves and sticks, and write down their observations with your help. Your preschooler will learn writing skills and develop an appreciation for nature. 

Summer is the best time for imaginative, messy play. Embrace the mess, go with the flow, and create lasting traditions. Encourage outdoor play and other activities to help you rely less on screens during the long days. Whether it’s a picnic in the park, a movie night in the backyard, or just running through the sprinkler, we hope this list of summer activities for kids makes your summer one for relaxation, exploration, and fun. 

Join us this summer at Summer Explorations with Bright Horizons where your child can enjoy action-packed days filled with science, technology, creative arts, nature, and more!