20 Fun Summer Projects and Activities for Kids

Summer is a magical time for kids - school’s out, the sun is shining, and the possibilities for adventure are endless.

But for parents, those long summer days can quickly turn into a chorus of "I'm bored!"

Fortunately, there are plenty of creative and budget-friendly ways to keep kids entertained, learning and having fun at home.

Read on for our pick of the best DIY summer projects around.



20 Fun Summer Projects and Activities for Kids

Whether you’re looking to spend time outdoors, encourage hands-on learning, or simply find new ways to bond as a family, this list of 20 DIY summer activities for kids has something for everyone.

Most use common household items, require minimal setup, and can be adapted for a wide range of ages.



Transform your driveway or sidewalk into a masterpiece with homemade chalk paint.

Just mix equal parts cornstarch and water, add food colouring, and paint with brushes or sponges.

It’s washable, colourful and endlessly creative.




2. Backyard Obstacle Course

Turn your backyard into a mini adventure park with hula hoops, pool noodles, sports cones, skipping ropes and anything else you can find.

Kids can race against the clock or challenge each other to beat their best times.

Pro tip: Let the kids design parts of the course themselves - it boosts their creativity and problem-solving skills.



3. Frozen Dinosaur Eggs

This one's perfect for hot days and dino-lovers.

Freeze small dinosaur toys inside balloons filled with water.

Once frozen, peel off the balloon and let the kids 'excavate' their frozen eggs using salt, water droppers, or just the sun.

Educational twist: Teach them about states of matter and melting points while they play.

Add this dinosaur museum pretend play set to extend the fun:



4. Garden in a Glove

Teach kids about gardening and plant life cycles with this simple and visual experiment.

Place cotton balls and seeds in the fingers of a clear plastic glove, add water, and watch the seeds sprout over the week.

Read more about the experiment here.

Great seeds to try: Radish, sunflower, green beans, or peas.



5. DIY Water Blob

A water blob is like a backyard waterbed - fun to lay on, jump on, or slide across.

Just fill a large plastic sheet (sealed with duct tape) with water.

Add a few drops of blue food coloring or glitter for extra sparkle.




6. Homemade Bird Feeders

Bring nature to your window by crafting DIY bird feeders from pinecones, toilet paper rolls, or orange halves.

Coat with peanut butter and roll in birdseed. Hang from trees and observe who comes to visit.

Bonus activity: Create a bird journal for kids to draw or write about the birds they see.



7. Backyard Camping

Pitch a tent or make a fort out of blankets and chairs.

Add flashlights, a few snacks, and some ghost stories, and you’ve got an instant camping adventure - no road trip required.

Add in some star spotting and cook some s'mores over a fire pit to add to the experience!

Grab our Constellations pack to help with that star spotting:



8. Sponge Water Bombs

Ditch the water balloons (and all that rubber waste) and make reusable sponge bombs instead.

Cut sponges into strips, tie them with rubber bands in the middle, and soak them in water for a fun and eco-friendly splash war.

Don't want the hassle? Buy these reusable water sponge balls.

What you need: Colourful sponges, rubber bands, scissors, water bucket.



9. Nature Scavenger Hunt

Head to a local park, nature trail, or even your backyard with a printable scavenger hunt list.

Include items like “a feather,” “something yellow,” or “a smooth rock.” Offer small prizes for completed lists.

Add difficulty: Use riddles or clues instead of a straight list for older kids.

The easy option, buy a pack of scavenger hunts for all seasons:



10. Solar Oven S’mores

Harness the power of the sun with a homemade solar oven.

Use a pizza box, foil, plastic wrap, and black construction paper to trap heat and melt chocolate and marshmallows over a graham cracker base.

Science bonus: Teach kids about solar energy and insulation while snacking.




11. Tie-Dye T-Shirts

A summer classic that never gets old.

Use a DIY tie-dye kit or make your own with fabric dye and rubber bands.

Let kids create their own patterns on old T-shirts, socks, or pillowcases.

Pro tip: Do this outdoors or cover your workspace - it gets messy!

Grab this handy printable guide:

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12. Lemonade Stand

Teach kids basic business skills while they have fun running their own lemonade stand.

Make signs, prepare the lemonade, and even let them decide on pricing or offer treats like cookies.

Learning angle: Introduce simple math, money-handling, and customer service.




13. DIY Bubble Station

Mix up a batch of homemade bubble solution (water, dish soap, and glycerine or corn syrup) and create bubble wands from pipe cleaners, cookie cutters, or straws.

You can even buy giant bubble wands!

Challenge: Who can make the biggest bubble? The longest-lasting one? Who can pop them fastest?



14. Painted Rock Pets

Collect rocks on a nature walk, then bring them home to turn into animals, monsters, or people with acrylic paint.

You could even add googly eyes!

Great for storytelling and creative play afterwards.

Display ideas: Use them to decorate a garden bed or give them as gifts.

Read more:



15. Pool Noodle Marble Run

Cut pool noodles in half lengthwise and tape them to walls or fences to create a gravity-defying marble track.

You can also make a more permanent option with lengths of guttering.

Kids can experiment with angles, speed, and obstacles.

STEM element: Teach kids about gravity, friction, and acceleration through play.



16. Glow-in-the-Dark Jars

Create magical glowing fairy jars with glow sticks or glow-in-the-dark paint inside mason jars.

Safe, simple, and perfect for twilight fun in the backyard.

Bonus use: Use them as nightlights for backyard camping.



17. DIY Popsicles

Let kids make their own popsicles using fruit juice, yogurt, or blended fruit.

Pour into moulds or paper cups with sticks and freeze.

You can even layer flavours or add fruit chunks for extra fun. For a healthy treate, use natural sweeteners and fresh ingredients.




18. Cardboard Box Creations

Got a big box from an online order? Don’t toss it - turn it into a rocket ship, puppet theatre, or castle. 

Add markers, paint, or stickers and let your child's imagination run wild.

Teamwork idea: Create a cardboard city or other project with friends in the neighbourhood.



19. Mini Science Experiments

Try a new STEM science experiment each week - volcano eruptions (baking soda + vinegar), rainbow in a jar (sugar water density), or dancing raisins (carbonated water).

Simple, educational, and fun!

Keep it organized: Grab our STEM science summer camp planner here:



20. Water Balloon Pinata

Hang water balloons from a tree and let the kids take turns swinging with a stick or bat.

It’s a thrilling way to cool off and adds a new twist to traditional party games.

Pro tip: Use biodegradable water balloons and clean up carefully after the fun.



Make Summer Memories That Stick

Summer doesn't have to mean expensive camps or endless screen time.

With just a little creativity and a few supplies, your backyard, kitchen, or living room can become a hub for imagination, adventure, and learning.

The best part? These DIY summer activities are more than just fun - they help kids develop problem-solving skills, coordination, teamwork, and a lifelong love of exploring the world around them.

You don’t need to be crafty or a super-parent to make it all happen; just dive in with your kids and make memories that they’ll talk about for years.



Bonus Tip: Create a Summer Activity Jar

Write each of these 20 ideas (plus any others you dream up!) on slips of paper and place them in a decorated jar.

When boredom strikes, let the kids pull out a new activity to try.



What are your favorite DIY summer activities?

Share your ideas in our Summer Camp at Home Facebook group - let’s inspire each other to make this summer the most memorable one yet!


More ideas for summer fun:


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