Fun Summer Activities For Kids

Kids bored?

Want them outside and active?  If they are tired of riding their bikes or skateboards, or if they are spending too much time in front of the TV, a few new suggestions might spark their imaginations. Here are some great activities your kids can do for fun in the summer.  You may remember doing some of these when you were a kid.

Anywhere:

Get a group together to do any of the following: Obstacle courses -make up your own using old tires, hoops, climbing ropes, etc.
Hold some races. Try running or fast walking, 3 legged races, potato sack races, races holding an egg on a spoon, running with a balloon between your knees, etc.
Get a strong rope and a group together to play tug of war. Make teams as even as possible to be really challenging!
Practice cartwheels. If they get good, they can practice one handed cartwheels. (Try to get legs straight up and feet pointed).
Go on a picnic. Pack up a basket & blanket and head out to a favourite spot.
Blow up some balloons & play some games: keep the balloon from touching the ground, juggle several at once, play volleyball. You can also decorate the balloons with markers and make funny faces.
Get  a yo-yo so they can try learning some tricks.
Put on a play, magic show or comedy skit.

Great outdoors:

Take a hike in the woods or go to the park with friends or family.   Make it an adventure (pretend you are on Survivor or Lost) or a make up a treasure hunt.
Climb a tree. Build a tree fort or clubhouse. It doesn't have to be out of wood & nails. You can just use some old blankets & cardboard to make one for the day.
Go camping. If you can get away, you can pitch a tent in the backyard (or living room/basement). 
Go bird watching, bug catching or  pick wildflowers. Gather pretty rocks & stones. Paint patterns on the big rocks - or paint them to look like pets.
Gather up colorful stones, leaves or pinecones to make crafts with.
Fly a kite! You can even try making your own.
Play games like badminton, croquet, horseshoes or shuffleboard.
Older kids can go power walking. Let them bring along an ipod with their favourite songs.

Water fun:

Go to a splash pad.
Get a slip & slide or other sprinklers you can hook up to a water hose.
Go to the beach or lakeshore. Swim, bring a boogie board, skip stones, or walk along the shore. Make sand castles or sand sculptures.
Go swimming. Organize a pool party, play pool games, dive for diving sticks, make up games with pool noodles, beach balls, etc. Have a jumping contest off the diving board. Appoint someone or a parent the judge. Categories can include: funniest, highest, best dive, best star jump, most impressive, best 360 (turn), biggest cannonball, etc.
 Have a water balloon or water gun fight.  
Get soap & various wands to have a bubble blowing contest. Try: most bubbles in a minute, biggest bubble, funniest shape bubble, most bubbles stuck together, etc.

Remember:

A day spent watching tv or playing on the computer is a missed opportunity.  Memories are made from time spent with friends and doing fun activities. Send your kids outside to take advantage of the great weather and give them ideas that will spark their imaginations.  For more free and fun ideas of activities for kids, go on http://www.fitforafeast.com to watch videos on ways to play tag, capture the flag, kick the can, etc.