5 Screen-Free Activities That Have Saved Our Summer
If your kids are already saying, “I’m bored,” and it’s only halfway through summer, you’re not alone. Before out trip I was trying to think of ALL the ideas to entertain the kiddos to keep them off the iPad. These have been some of our biggest wins so far.
This has easily been one of our favorite discoveries this summer. My kids were completely captivated making their own custom stickers, decorating notebooks, water bottles, cards, and little gifts for friends. Look at Solomon’s face HERE!!
It’s one of those activities that sparks creativity and keeps them entertained much longer than I expected. The best part? It’s fun for younger kids, but older kids genuinely enjoy it too-myself included! Linking it here for you.
2. DIY Squishy Making
My kids LOVE this. Kids can create their own squishies by filling wobble bubbles or soft silicone molds with clay, slime, foam, or other squishy materials, then decorating them with colors, faces, and fun designs-when did squishies take over the world? It’s part craft project, part science experiment, and the finished creations become toys they can actually play with afterward or it’s a total disasater which is also fun :)
It’s a great activity for kids who love getting hands-on and making something completely on their own.
3. DIY Nature Crafts
Instead of just collecting things outside, turn your finds into a creative project. Kids can gather leaves, flowers, sticks, and rocks, then use them to make painted rock art, nature collages, pressed flowers, or little fairy gardens. It’s a simple way to get outside while encouraging creativity and imagination.
4. Backyard Restaurant
Let the kids become chefs for the afternoon. They can create a menu, decorate the table, make simple snacks or sandwiches, take “orders,” and serve the family. Time for mom to get a break. They love being in charge, and it sneaks in creativity, teamwork, and a little life skills practice. You can even make a little chopped competition.
5. Family Adventure Challenge
Write a bunch of mini adventures on slips of paper and put them in a jar. Every day, each child picks one. Ideas include:
Ride bikes to get a treat.
Have a picnic at the park.
Build the biggest fort you can.
Create sidewalk chalk masterpieces.
Fly a kite.
Catch bugs and identify them.
Watch the sunset together.
Make homemade popsicles.
Have a backyard campout.
Make up a family game or challenge.
Sometimes the excitement is simply not knowing which adventure you’ll pull next.
Summer doesn’t have to be filled with elaborate plans to make lasting memories. A few simple, creative activities can keep kids engaged, encourage their imaginations, and give everyone a break from screens. These are the kinds of afternoons I know they’ll remember long after summer is over.
Since we’re making dinner an activity we’re making an outdoor fried rice bar! Bring all of your ingredients either over to the BBQ (place a wide pan or griddle onto the racks) or if you have a little hibachi kind of setup you can make over a fire-pit like I used to have or these amazon finds (this and this) would be so great right on your outdoor dining table. This is such a fun dinner. Let everyone help out and create your own hibachi night.
2 cups long grain white rice
4 tablespoons neutral cooking oil for greasing, plus more as needed
1 onion, thinly sliced
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