Ride a roller coaster
50 Awesome Things to Do with Your Kids This Summer
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Published May 20, 2019
Twenty20
Oh, hello summer. Which, if you have kids, basically means chasing a half-naked human around with a bottle of sunscreen for three months straight. But before you start rolling your eyes too hard, consider these 50 creative, easy and (dare we say?) delightful activities to do with your clan. Summer bucket list: Ready, set, go!
![summer things to do with kids build a fort](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-build-a-fort.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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1.
Build a fort
Then don't be offended when it's no grown-ups allowed.
![mom and two kids cooking together](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/mom-and-two-kids-cooking-together.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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2.
Cook dinner together
Might we recommend one of these kid-friendly recipes?
![summer things to do with kids kiddie pool](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-kiddie-pool.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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3.
Chill in a kiddie pool
Juice boxes for the kiddos, sangria for the over-21 set.
![summer things to do with kids dig for worms](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-dig-for-worms.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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4.
Dig for worms
Hardly the grossest thing you've touched since having children.
![summer things to do with kids make play dough](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-make-play-dough.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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5.
Make your own play dough
This five-ingredient play dough recipe shows you how.
![summer things to do with kids run barefoot](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-run-barefoot.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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6.
Run barefoot through freshly cut grass
This is why you don't have white carpeting.
![summer things to do with kids make friendship bracelets](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-make-friendship-bracelets.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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7.
Teach them to make friendship bracelets
Are arm parties still a thing?
![summer things to do with kids go on hike](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-go-on-hike.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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8.
Go for a hike
Come up with an appropriate name for each dog you pass. What’s up, Sprinkles?
![summer things to do with kids make popsicles](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-make-popsicles.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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9.
Make your own popsicles
Again, this is why you don't have white carpeting.
![summer things to do with kids watch fireworks](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-watch-fireworks.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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10.
Watch fireworks
Bedtimes are overrated.
![summer things to do with kids rent paddleboat](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-rent-paddleboat.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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11.
Rent a paddleboat
Secretly make your children do all the work.
![summer things to do with your kids make home made slime](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-your-kids-make-home-made-slime.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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12.
Make homemade slime
Whip up something ooey, gooey and chemical-free with this DIY slime tutorial.
![summer things to do with kids shish kebabs](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-shish-kebabs.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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13.
Assemble shish kebabs
Remember: Children love being put to work.
![summer things to do with kids outdoor concert](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-outdoor-concert.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
onebluelight/Getty Images
14.
Attend an outdoor concert
Encourage dancing.
![summer things to do with kids sit on porch during thunderstorm](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-sit-on-porch-during-thunderstorm.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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15.
Sit on the porch through a summer thunderstorm
Count the seconds between lightning and thunder.
![summer things to do with kids campfire](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-campfire.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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16.
Have a campfire
Ghost stories optional.
![summer things to do with kids make smores](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-make-smores.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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17.
Make s'mores
Extra chocolate mandatory.
![summer things to do with kids shuck corn](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-shuck-corn.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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18.
Shuck corn
Insert requisite What About Bob? joke.
![summer things to do with kids cannonball](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-cannonball.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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19.
Do a cannonball
Or at the very least, goad your kids until they do one.
![summer things to do with kids hopscotch](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-hopscotch.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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20.
Play hopscotch
No stepping on the line!
![summer things to do with kids skeeball](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-skeeball.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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21.
Play skee-ball
You'll win that oversize gorilla if it kills you...
![summer things to do with kids sell lemonade](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-sell-lemonade.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
Steve Debenport/Getty Images
22.
Start a lemonade stand
Frozen from concentrate? We won't judge.
![summer things to do with kids tie dye shirt](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-tie-dye-shirt.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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23.
Tie-dye a T-shirt
Hello, summer uniform.
![summer things to do with kids go to zoo](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-go-to-zoo.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
dragonimages/getty images
24.
Go to the zoo
Pro tip: The monkey house is air-conditioned.
![summer things to do with kids go to baseball game](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-go-to-baseball-game.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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25.
Go to a baseball game
Fine if you only make it through three innings.
![summer things to do with kids make paper fan](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-make-paper-fan.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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26.
Make paper fans
I do declare.
![summer things to do with kids hand clapping game](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-hand-clapping-game.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
dragonimages/getty images
27.
Play a hand-clapping game
Down, down, baby, down by the roller coaster.
![summer things to do with kids ride rollercoaster](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-ride-rollercoaster.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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28.
RELATED
Don't be a wuss!
![summer things to do with kids wash the car](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-wash-the-car.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
anurakpong/Getty Images
29.
Wash the car
Children love being put to work, part two.
![summer things to do with kids play in sand](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-play-in-sand.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
antonio_diaz/Getty Images
30.
Let them bury you in the sand
Just remember the SPF 50.
![summer things to do with kids climb a tree](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-climb-a-tree.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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31.
Climb a tree
OK, fine. Stand at the bottom and bark at them to be careful.
![summer things to do with kids jump in pool](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-jump-in-pool.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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32.
Let them jump in the pool instead of taking a bath
Chlorine > soap.
![summer things to do with kids pull in wagon](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-pull-in-wagon.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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33.
Pull them in a wagon
Stroller, schmoller.
![summer things to do with kids seed spitting](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-seed-spitting.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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34.
Have a watermelon seed-spitting contest
Winner gets...more watermelon?
![summer things to do with kids mini golf](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-mini-golf.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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35.
Play a round of mini golf
Win a free game. Repeat.
![summer things to do with kids go to carnival](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-go-to-carnival.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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36.
Go to a carnival
If it doesn't feel a little trashy, you're not doing it right.
![summer things to do with kids dress in red white blue](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-dress-in-red-white-blue.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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37.
Dress them in red, white and blue
Take a million pictures.
![summer things to do with kids watch sandlot](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-watch-sandlot.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
20th century fox
38.
Watch The Sandlot
My Girl or The Parent Trap are also acceptable family-friendly flicks for summer.
![summer things to do with kids water balloon fight](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-water-balloon-fight.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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39.
Have a water fight
As long as mom's not wearing silk, anything's fair game.
![summer things to do with kids collect seashells](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-collect-seashells.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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40.
Collect seashells
Make a necklace.
![summer things to do with kids berry picking](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-berry-picking.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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41.
Go berry picking
It doesn't matter if it's strawberries, blueberries or blackberries—they're all good in a pie.
![summer things to do with kids summer drive in](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-summer-drive-in.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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42.
Go to a drive-in movie
Bet there's one closer than you think.
![summer things to do with kids scavenger hunt](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-scavenger-hunt.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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43.
Organize a scavenger hunt
Then send the kids scrambling to find something "slimy."
![summer things to do with kids water park](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-water-park.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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44.
Take them to a water park
Feel smug when they conk out at 7:15.
![summer things to do with kids drive with windows down](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-drive-with-windows-down.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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45.
Drive with the windows down
Just long enough for everybody's hair to get good and tangled.
![summer things to do with kids beach boys dance party](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-beach-boys-dance-party.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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46.
Have a Beach Boys dance party
"Everybody's gone suuuuuuurfing..."
![summer things to do with kids garage sale](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-garage-sale.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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47.
Have a garage sale
Donate proceeds to a worthy cause.
![summer things to do with kids eat fudge](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-eat-fudge.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
Daria Minaeva/GEtty Images
48.
Eat fudge
Peanut-butter-chocolate or bust.
![summer things to do with kids catch fireflies](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-catch-fireflies.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
EvgeniiAnd/Getty Images
49.
Catch fireflies
Argue with your S.O. about whether they're called fireflies or lightning bugs.
![summer things to do with kids embrace sand](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/summer-things-to-do-with-kids-embrace-sand.jpg?fit=675%2C501)
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50.
Embrace sand
In their car seats. In their sheets. In their hair. It's summer, y'all.
![jillian quint](https://publish.purewow.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/09/jillian-quint.png?resize=250%2C250)
Editor-in-Chief, Avid Reader, Wallpaper Enthusiast
Jillian Quint is the Editor-in-Chief of PureWow, where she oversees the editorial staff and all the fabulous content you read every day. Jillian began her career as a book editor...