If you’re a parent, working out how you’re going to fill six long weeks of summer holidays can feel daunting.
But planning the right summer activities for your kids is key to keeping them entertained while staving off summer learning loss – also known as the summer slide.
Luckily, you’re in the right place!
Here, we’ll share our 30 top summer activities for kids that are fun, educational and easily achievable – so you can keep your children entertained and enriched all summer long.
30 fun educational activities for kids
1. Kitchen science experiments
Why not wow your little learner with the wonders of science, and turn your kitchen into a laboratory?
There’s an endless supply of exciting kitchen experiments you can introduce them to. A couple of firm favourites include making slime and creating baking soda volcanoes!
2. Treasure hunt
Turn any ordinary day into an exciting adventure with a treasure hunt.
Creating a treasure map with clues scattered around the house that lead to the ‘treasure’ will be great for your little one’s problem-solving skills (and keep them occupied all afternoon!).
3. Bitesize games
Make screentime more productive by introducing your kids to Bitesize’s fun and educational games.
With science, maths, history and English games to explore, there’s something to pique the interest of every learner.
4. Logo activity
“One activity I would always suggest a parent to do with a child that can benefit them is to put a photo of a logo and then get the students to not only guess where the logo’s from (for a bit of fun) but to draw the logo rotated 90 degrees clockwise and draw it again rotated 180 degrees.
“A student’s ability to successfully rotate can be very pivotal, for instance in the 11 Plus exams.”
– Matthew B, Tutorful tutor and qualified primary school teacher
5. DIY board games
Plan a fun board game night with a twist – it’s your family’s job to create the evening’s game of choice together!
Draw the game on a big piece of paper, find objects to make counters, and write the rules on a blackboard. Then, have fun playing!
6. Cookery maths
Ever stopped to think about how much maths is involved in cooking or baking the most simple of dishes?
Next time you cook up your little learner’s favourite, get them involved and ask them to help you measure the quantities or even double or half the recipes. Maths has never been so tasty!
7. Head to a museum
If you’re looking for a fun and educational day out of the house, you can’t beat a museum. Plus, they’re often free!
Find a museum that covers a topic your child is interested in – whether it’s science or history. If it’s got hands-on activities for kids, that’s even better!
8. Get green fingered
Summer is the perfect season to spend time outdoors.
Why not teach your child about the wonders of nature by planting seeds and growing flowers with them? Better still, grow your own fruit and veg, before cooking – and eating! – it together.
9. Get active
Encourage your child to get active outdoors.
Whether it’s heading out with the bikes or scooters in tow – or signing your child up to try a new sport at a local sports centre – a hit of exercise will be great for their brains and bodies!
10. Create a puppet theatre
Get crafty and give your kids the tools they need to make their own puppet theatre.
Then, give them a deadline and encourage them to team up to put on their very own puppet show. From writing the script to creating the show poster, this activity will stretch their skills and imaginations in so many ways.
11. Try rock painting
Take your kids outdoors to gather some large, smooth rocks.
Then, encourage them to get creative and paint fun summer designs on them that will brighten up your garden throughout the year.
12. Send them to summer camp
Introduce your child to new places, activities and friends by sending them off on a summer camp.
It’s a great way to nurture their existing interests. Whether it’s the performing arts, computer programming, sports or adventure, there’s a camp out there for every little learner.
13. Try a musical instrument
Got a budding musician in the family?
Learning a musical instrument isn’t just entertaining. It can also improve your child’s self esteem, encourage self-expression and boost their academic performance.
14. Volunteer
Your kids will have a lot of spare time over the summer break, so why not encourage them to donate some to a worthy cause?
As well as helping their local community, volunteering will introduce them to people from all walks of life, show them the importance of compassion, and give them a sense of reward.
15. Head to the library
Research has shown that children who don’t read at all over summer could lose reading skills equivalent to as much as an entire grade level.
Taking a trip to the library and letting your child pick out their favourite books to bring home is a great way to make reading fun and exciting.
16. Take a walk
No matter where you are in the UK, nature won’t be far away.
Take a hike (with a picnic, of course!) and turn it into a learning opportunity by relying on maps only – no phones allowed! Your budding explorer will soon be reading maps like a pro.
17. Learn a language
Heading abroad on holiday? Why not make it a family project to learn some of the language?
Not only does learning a language provide your kids with a useful skill, it also helps them understand other cultures. Whether it’s French, German, or Japanese, you can find a tutor for it here at Tutorful.
Browse expert, vetted tutors, message free, and book instantly.
18. Go to a play or concert
Expand your child’s horizons by taking them to a play or concert.
Better yet, see if there are any play adaptations of books on next year’s syllabus that you can check out together, to get ahead!
19. Write a story
Get your kid’s creative juices flowing by encouraging them to write a story, poem, drawing or even a comic book!
Find a writing prompt, give them a deadline and then enjoy watching them get stuck into their creative project. They’ll have lots of fun sharing their ideas!
20. Plan a family film night
Who doesn’t love a family film night?
Make it an all-day project by choosing a film together, setting the living room (or garden) up like a cinema, and making your favourite movie snacks together.
21. Build a bug hotel
Introduce your child to the wonders of nature by building a bug hotel together.
Not only will you be providing minibeasts and insects with a safe haven, but you’ll also be able to identify and watch the little creatures using your creation throughout the year!
22. Make an obstacle course
All kids need to burn off steam every now and again. Why not get their architectural juices flowing at the same time?
Encourage them to design and build their own obstacle course in the garden, before expending all that extra energy!
23. Arrange a tutoring session
Tutors are experts at bringing their subjects to life without it feeling like school.
If there’s a subject your kid is getting behind in – or you want to nurture an interest outside the classroom – booking a session (or several) with a handpicked tutor will be the perfect way to inspire them.
Browse expert, vetted tutors, message free, and book instantly.
24. Make bird feeders
Creating bird feeders isn’t just a fun activity – it’s also a fantastic way to keep your local wildlife fed and watered as late summer turns into autumn and winter.
Make it your kid’s job to keep the feeders topped up, to promote a sense of responsibility and empathy.
25. Learn digital skills
Technology is rewriting job descriptions across all industries.
Helping your child to obtain sought-after digital skills – like learning to code – will help them with future career growth. Plus, let’s face it, computers are fun!
26. Build a den
Get the kids to team up with siblings or friends to build a den.
It’s a great way to help them develop important social skills like teamwork and leadership.
27. Set a summer project
If your child has a special interest, why not nurture it by encouraging them to embark on a summer-long project?
Budding authors could write a book, budding inventors could invent something, and budding entrepreneurs could build a website. The sky’s the limit!
28. Form a book club
We’ve already touched upon the importance of reading. If you’ve got a bookworm on your hands, take things a step further by setting up a summer book club for them and their friends.
Simply set a new book every couple of weeks, jot down some questions to get the conversation started, and host them for a book night (just don’t forget the snacks!).
29. Watch educational TV programmes
As much as we might hate to admit it, TV is a valuable form of entertainment during the summer holidays.
Make it as productive as possible by picking out educational things for your kids to watch – whether it’s documentaries about things they’re learning in school, or film adaptations of books they’re going to be studying next year.
30. Get your child to plan your day
Give your kid total control to plan your day together. Just give them a budget, time frame, and maximum distance to travel and let them find an activity they want to do.
Not only does this approach allow you to put your feet up, but it also teaches your child some real-world skills like financial planning, organisation, and decision-making!
Get a tutor’s help with kids educational activities
As you can see, there are tons of educational activities for kids that you can draw on to keep them busy throughout the summer holidays.
And, contrary to what you might think, learning and fun really can go hand in hand!
If you want a bit of extra support this summer, why not get one of our handpicked tutors to plan a session (or several) for your kids?
Our tutors are experts at bringing their subjects to life and will know exactly how to boost your child’s confidence, foster a love of learning and nurture their skills – all without them feeling like they’re studying in summer.
Browse expert, vetted tutors, message free, and book instantly.
FAQs
What is the best summer activity for kids?
The best summer activity for kids will depend on their age and interests. But we particularly like fun and educational activities that won’t break the bank – like cooking, kitchen science experiments, trips to educational settings (like museums) and planting fruit and vegetables.
How do I keep my kids busy in the summer?
There are lots of fantastic ways to keep your kids busy in the summer. Some fun and educational ideas include:
- Cooking or baking together
- Day trips to a museum or library
- Planting fruit and vegetables
- Building a bug hotel or bird feeder
- Volunteering
- Heading to a summer camp
- Regular tutoring sessions
What is the most popular summer activity?
Arguably the most popular summer activity is spending time outdoors – for example, visiting a beach, having a picnic or playing outdoor games.
