15 Family Summer Fun Ideas

Summer feels endless when you’re in it — but you only get 18 of them with your kids before they leave the nest. These 15 family summer fun ideas are tried, tested, and family-approved, so you can stop scrolling and start making memories that your kids will still talk about years from now.

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You think you only have 18 years with your kids before they grow up. But in reality, you only have 18 summers with them.

Bam! Did it hit you yet? Summer is a time for families to connect. With only 18 summers, creating memories that will last a lifetime can feel intimidating. Don’t worry though — we’ve got you covered with some amazing family activities for the summer!

These 15 family summer fun ideas are tried, tested, and true! We got all our kids involved in previous summers and some of the memories we created are things they still talk about to this day. Each year that passes they become more of their little human self — constantly as parents we are playing catch up to their yearly transformation. So put the phones away, keep it inexpensive, and let’s explore all 15 ideas!

1. Simple Meal Preparation

A fun summer activity at home! Getting the kids more involved with their food is great fun for them. They learn how to read instructions and use their math skills to convert measurements. It’s a proud experience when they cook to feed the family. While I get my kids involved in the kitchen, I love talking to them about the benefits of food — how Vitamin C is like the ‘warriors’ in our body that fights viruses (the bad guys). Today, they love to learn the benefits of all sorts of food.

An easy recipe to start with is our Oatmeal Gluten-Free Pancakes. Just throw everything in the blender — minimal cleanup and maximum deliciousness!

2. Reading Projects

Learning how to read plays a major impact on education. Summer is a great time to review everything learned in school and give kids the leg up on their reading skills. Great places to find books:

• Visit your local library — a vast collection of books your kids can choose from. Let them choose what they want to read to encourage interest in books.
• Reading apps — we love using the reading app called Epic! It has a large library with 40,000+ books, read-along options, and is perfect for kids just starting to learn.

3. Outdoor Walks

Walking in the morning encourages a great habit for kids. It’s scientifically proven to give a natural boost of energy, leave kids calmer during the day, and easier to focus. For us, we enjoy our first walk before breakfast. The kids always bring a bag for treasure hunting — leaves, flowers, branches — to make art pieces later in the day.

• Cover conversational topics about the earth, environment, recycling, weather, seasons, and biodiversity.
• Walk with your pets — dog walking subconsciously teaches empathy and responsibility.
• Bring a bag — let their creative mind go free with what they find.

4. Camping

Great fun for both kids and parents. Camping is a great opportunity for skill-building, following instructions, and interacting with nature. This is by far our favourite thing to do in the summer! My best memories as a child are always camping and outdoor-related. Beyond the fun and fresh air, camping teaches kids valuable life lessons about taking risks, respecting nature, and being active.

• Klahanie Campground — Squamish
• Stawamus Chief Provincial Park — Squamish
• Garibaldi Campsite — Whistler
• Bella Pacifica Campground — Tofino

5. Visit a Local Museum

Museums are always open in summer with special exhibits and shows catered to children. Visit your local museum website to see what special events are happening. In Puebla, our two favourites are the natural history museum and the space museum.

• Museo de la Evolucion Puebla
• Planetario Puebla

6. Hike

Another great family summer idea! Hiking gets the kids moving and being active has been repeatedly proven beneficial to both kids and adults. In Vancouver there are tons of trails to hike with family. My favourite family-friendly trails:

• Lighthouse Park — West Vancouver
• Sea to Sky Gondola — Squamish
• Alice Lake Loop — Squamish
• Coquitlam Lake View Point — Coquitlam

7. Picnic

Always a great family bonding moment — no computers, no housework, just focus on the kids. Pack up a spray bottle for hot days and head outdoors! Some easy picnic meal ideas from our kitchen:

• Easy Rosemary Beer Bread
• Homemade Pico de Gallo
• Best Triple Chocolate Fudgy Brownies
• Easy Spring Octopus Salad with Mint

8. Road Trip

After COVID, traveling by plane has gotten expensive and chaotic. Why not do a road trip? It’s affordable for the whole family and you can stop anytime you see something cool. Let the kids help plan the destination — they’ll learn how to execute a plan and how to be flexible when things don’t go exactly as expected. No road trip ever goes exactly to plan, and that’s the beauty of it.

9. Entrepreneur Project

Teaching the kids how to make money is a great way to get them thinking about money management. Once they make money, don’t stop there — teach them how to reinvest in their business. At the lemonade stand, they can reinvest in a professional lemon juicer to improve customer service!

• Lemonade stand
• Making and selling cookies
• Washing cars for neighbours
• Walking dogs for friends and family
• Collecting recyclables

10. Art Projects

Art stimulates creativity and problem-solving. It helps with self-esteem, self-expression, and fine motor skill development. A great activity for hot summer days staying indoors with the AC. Family craft ideas:

• Build a family picture frame together
• Paint a large canvas using only fingerprints
• Assemble easy DIY planters and paint them together

11. Planting and Gardening

Every kid secretly loves gardening. Learning to plant seeds teaches responsibility (caring for plants) and understanding the cause and effect of watering. We love growing plants from seeds — once the vegetables are ready, I let my kids harvest and cook them. We’ve grown green peas, lettuce, and okra, and they ate everything! It encourages healthier eating. Buy seeds online at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — free shipping to the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

12. Giving Back

Teaching kids kindness early on is essential. Here are some examples of what giving back can look like:

• Participate in a senior home
• Randomly gifting something at a grocery store
• Helping grandparents without being asked
• Baking a cake for a family member
• Releasing insects or animals back into the wild
• Planting a tree
• Donating to a cause they care about

13. Board Game Night

We are a board game family. Board game night is always paired with tons of snacks and drinks. We learn to laugh at ourselves and each other — teaching ourselves not to take things too seriously. Board games we love:

• Risk (for teenagers)
• Hungry Hungry Hippos
• Taco VS Burrito
• UNO
• Catan
• Carcassonne
• Ticket to Ride

14. Movie with the Family

Cuddling is probably one of my favourite things to do with the kids. It’s such a cozy feeling getting to watch a movie while holding them and enjoying some popcorn. We treat screen time as a prize for the kids — they’ve earned it by behaving well during the day. Some streaming services we love: Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, Disney Plus.

15. Enjoy the Simple Moments

All the summer ideas we recommend are meant to be enjoyed, so remember to actually enjoy them. It’s really the small and insignificant moments in our lives that make the difference — watching those small lips curve into a smile, or the quirky way your little one dances. Embrace it and enjoy it. After all, we only have 18 summers with them, or maybe even less.

For more summer food inspiration, check out our Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork for the perfect outdoor barbecue crowd-pleaser, and our Oatmeal Gluten-Free Pancakes for a fun morning cooking project with the kids.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best free summer activities for families?

Outdoor walks, library visits, hiking local trails, and gardening are all free or very low-cost summer activities that kids love. Many local museums also offer free days during the summer. The library is especially great because kids can choose their own books, which builds excitement around reading.

How do I keep my kids entertained all summer without screens?

Structure helps. Start mornings with an outdoor walk, follow up with a reading block, then move to a hands-on project like art or gardening. Save screens (movie night, reading apps) as intentional rewards rather than defaults. With variety and a loose routine, kids stay engaged without reaching for devices.

What summer activities help kids learn real-life skills?

Simple meal preparation teaches math, reading, and following instructions. Entrepreneur projects (lemonade stands, car washing) teach money management and customer service. Gardening teaches responsibility and cause-and-effect. Camping teaches risk-taking, problem-solving, and respecting nature.

How do you make summer fun on a budget?

Most of these 15 ideas cost very little. Walks, art projects, board games, and reading are essentially free. Gardening seeds are a few dollars. Picnics are cheaper than restaurants. Focus on time and creativity, not spending — the memories your kids will cherish most are the ones where you were fully present, not the expensive ones.

How do I get my kids excited about summer activities?

Let them choose. Give them two or three options and let them pick. Kids are much more enthusiastic about activities they feel ownership over. Also, do it alongside them — kids feed off your energy. If you’re genuinely excited about the walk or the picnic, they will be too.

What are some meaningful summer activities that go beyond just having fun?

Giving back is the most meaningful activity on this list. Whether it’s donating to a local SPCA, helping grandparents, or planting a tree, these experiences shape who your kids become. Combine it with an entrepreneur project and they learn both generosity and financial wisdom at the same time.