4 Family Friendly Summer Activities

With summer approaching, you might be looking for ways to keep your children busy. Don’t know where to start? We’ve created a list of cost-effective activities to keep them entertained and wanting more! Read on to learn about summer family activities and their importance for children’s and family mental health.

Summer Family Activities

A summer activity for children can be pricey, especially for day-long ventures like summer camp. However, some family activities can keep costs minimal. Here are our favorite family-friendly activities for your summer bucket list:

1. Make Use of Nearby Parks

Finding a new local park with an obstacle course to explore with the whole family can be a great summer activity. With around 8 weeks of summer vacation, planning to visit a park a week will leave your children with 8 new parks to explore. They will have the opportunity to climb new structures and make new friends all summer long.

In some rural regions, finding different parks to visit can be challenging. However, this list isn’t limited to recreational parks; consider visiting open areas and exploring the land in your own backyard. National parks and open landscapes are excellent ways to expose children to the world’s natural beauty.

2. Create Fun-Filled Scavenger Hunts

Scavenger hunts are fun for children and keep their minds focused on hunting for list items. Here are our favorite ideas:

Household scavenger hunt (find something that lights up, opens, makes sounds, etc.)
Color scavenger hunt (find something blue, pink, black, white, etc.)
A-Z scavenger hunt (find something for each letter of the alphabet)

The best part about scavenger hunts is that they can be done inside or outdoors with your family. Try a family scavenger hunt the next time you are at a park or even in your backyard. You might be surprised by how quickly your children complete their list!

3. Get Crafty in the Kitchen

Not all summer family activities have to be outdoors. You can visit the farmers market to buy ingredients for dinner with your child. Making treats and meals with your children is a fun activity that teaches them about nutrition, portions, and creating something from scratch while giving them a sense of maturity in doing so.

A fun way to mix things up in the kitchen is to incorporate different recipes from around the world. This is one of many diverse activities for kids to learn about different cultures. With nearly 200 countries worldwide, all with different regions and cuisines, there are endless possibilities for trying something new. Start with this list of simple, delicious recipes to make with your little ones:

Whatever you choose to make, you can be sure that your children will have a blast in the kitchen with you!

4. Summer Water Play

What’s better than cooling off in the water on a hot summer day? You don’t need a pool; a hose, water balloons, or a sprinkler is all it takes for your kids to run around outside enjoying the summer sun without overheating. Just be sure to layer up and reapply sunscreen!

Why Summer Family Activities Are Important for Mental Health

Summer family activities are crucial for maintaining and fostering positive mental health and preventing parental burnout. Keeping active, trying new things, creating daily routines for kids, spending time together, and teaching self-care can significantly impact everyone’s well-being. These activities boost endorphins and create a sense of closeness and belonging that positively affects mental health.

If you’re worried about your child’s mental health this summer, All For Kids offers mental health tools, resources, and services that positively impact their lives. With individualized treatments and a team that caters to each child’s needs, you can lighten your load and provide your child with an external support system. Mental health is important at any age, as everyone deserves to feel their best mentally and emotionally.

It’s Time for Some Fun in the Sun

Engaging children in summer activities fills their time with excitement and keeps their minds sharp. Introducing your child to new environments and fun challenges allows them to grow mentally and emotionally during their school break.

With the family-friendly summer activities listed above, you’re guaranteed to give your child a fun-filled summer they won’t forget!

Sources:

Mental Health Foundation