23 Fun and Free Family Activities for Summer

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The summer holidays can be a time of excitement but also a time of panic for parents and carers across the country.

Worries spring to mind; ‘What activities can we do to stop the kids from being bored?’ to ‘How can we keep the family entertained all summer without breaking the bank?’

With the cost of living rising, you might be concerned about how to keep spending down this summer while doing your best to keep your kids loving life and learning along the way. But fear not!

Here are 23 fun and free family-friendly summer activities that are guaranteed to bring laughter and improve your child’s communication skills along the way.

mum and daughter playing ball games in the park — Image caption,
Ball games are a great summer activity and have loads of benefits for your toddler's development.

Outdoor summer activities

1. Play a new ball game

We can’t always rely on the weather but as soon as the sun decides to shine, it’s time to get outside. Did you know that ball games can help motor skills, social skills and communication skills?

There are many fun and simple games you can play with a ball. You could try copycat games or if your child is a little older, how about our twist that can help build your child’s vocabulary.

2. Spot rocks together

No matter where you are spending your time, you’re bound to find pebbles and rocks close by. Whether you’re at the beach, the local park, or your back garden, you can explore nature with your little one. Spend time talking about their shapes and sizes.

However, don’t be tempted to take your discoveries home from public spaces like beaches as it is against laws that are in place to protect the natural environment and look after UK wildlife.

3. Play hopscotch

Did you know that playing hopscotch can encourage a child’s early reading skills?

Not only will this fun free game get you and your little one outside and active but by playing by the rules of hopscotch you will be actively encouraging your child to take turns, listen to instructions and cooperate with others.

To play this simple outdoor game you’ll need some chalk, a stone or pebble (perhaps one you’ve collected!) and a flat space to draw your hopscotch squares.

4. Build an obstacle course

By building simple obstacle courses together, either in your house or in a garden, you can help develop your little one's motor skills and teach them about teamwork.

Not only will your toddler have lots of fun in the process, but they’ll learn some problem-solving skills along the way.

If it’s a rainy day, this summer activity can be adapted for indoor play, too!

5. Phonics treasure hunt

Everyone loves a treasure hunt, no matter how old they are! Why not turn your next treasure hunt into a phonics treasure hunt?

This fun activity is perfect if you don’t want to rely on props. As a bonus, this summer activity can be played anywhere.

If you’re at home, simply ask your little one to pick something in the room and then say the name out loud. Then ask them to pick an object that starts with a similar sound. This simple game will boost your little one's speech and reading skills as well as challenge their concentration.

6. Watch the clouds

Having a picnic and your little one is getting restless? Try cloud watching.

This simple summer activity is bound to encourage some creativity. By simply looking up at the sky and explaining what the clouds look like, you can let your creative juices flow!

This activity will also encourage your toddler to explain what they see and it can also help children feel calm and relaxed.

7. Gather petals, leaves and twigs to make a mini garden

Gardens across the country are now in full bloom, so if you have access to one, this is the perfect opportunity for you and your little one to create your own mini garden.

All you need for this activity is somewhere to lay your pickings (a paper plate will do) and access to plants and flowers in the home or garden.

This fun activity will encourage your child to explore their imagination and learn new words.

8. Dance in the rain

We all know how unpredictable the weather can be. Instead of hiding away from it, let’s get outside with our umbrellas!

Music and dancing are good for babies as well as young children. Getting active with babies and little ones can be great for their physical and mental development as well as their bond with you.

Getting out in those summer showers and dancing to your favourite songs will bring a smile to your little one’s face.

An illustration showing outdoor summer activities for toddlers, which are listed above in the article. — Image caption,
There are so many fun things to try in the great outdoors with your little one this summer.

Free family friendly activities

9. Visit your local library

Libraries are no longer a place just for books. Libraries are the hub of the local community with many offering writing and language groups, toddler play sessions, and creative classes.

Check out the notice board at your local library and see what family fun activities you can get involved with.

10. Make your own sock puppet theatre

Get the family involved and create your very own sock puppet theatre! Bring simple stories to life from the comfort of your home and with very little props.

As the name suggests, all you need is some socks and some silly voices to make your little one laugh.

family playing with homemade sock puppets. — Image caption,
Playing with sock puppets is a fun way to develop your toddler's conversation skills.

11. Have a family sleepover

Young children love sleepovers, and the best thing? They don’t cost a penny! You could set up your sleeping blankets in your living room or, if you have a tent, you could pitch up in your back garden.

To get your little ones relaxed before bedtime, you could play some sleepytime games to help them wind down for a good night’s sleep. Sleepytime games are a great activity for building routines, especially during breaks from childcare or school.

12. Set up a family photoshoot

Get creative with your little ones and start snapping with this perfect family focused activity!

Capture special memories and create your very own family photoshoot and photo album. Having pictures to hand will help introduce your child to familiar faces. They’re also great to look back on in the years to come.

13. Enjoy a teddy bear’s picnic

Get the family involved in this cute kid’s activity. Organising a simple teddy bear’s picnic is the perfect opportunity to role play and develop your little one’s communication skills.

Set up your picnic using your child’s favourite toys and lay out some cups and saucers. You can plan with your toddler what snacks and drinks you’d like to share and role play talking to their toys.

Fun summer activities to do at home

14. Make ice lollies

We’re all hoping for a hot summer and what better way to cool down than making ice lollies with your little ones. This easy summer activity is a great way to introduce new vocabulary and clench their thirst!

If you feel like being a little more adventurous, you could try making instant ice cream in a bag, though this activity is better suited to slightly older children.

15. Play plastic bottle bowling

This simple summer game can be set up in your garden or hallway. If you don’t have enough empty bottles for your skittles, you can use toilet roll tubes.

This fun game will encourage your little one to play together, take turns and describe what they are doing.

16. Make toys

Spark your child’s imagination by making your own toys!

Toys don’t need to be fancy or expensive. With this simple summer activity, you can make toys out of anything from egg cartons to bottle tops and cereal boxes. Give your toys names and characters and prepare to have hours of fun!

17. Make your own jigsaw puzzle

Help develop your child’s concentration and coordination skills by making your own jigsaw puzzle.

All you need is some old newspapers, magazines, or cereal boxes. Simply cut up, or gently rip, the magazine pages or boxes and then help your child piece them together again.

Remember to use child-friendly scissors and supervise at all times.

18. Create your own DIY musical instruments

Children love music and the best part is it can be introduced to almost any activity. From singing while feeding to special songs during bath time, you don't need a voice like an angel to sing with your child.

Making your own musical instruments is a fun activity to do at home. All you need is some empty yoghurt pots or coffee canisters and a couple of balloons.

Feel like creating a full band? To make your own guitar, you’ll just need an old cereal box and some elastic bands. Now start those vocal warmups!

family playing homemade bowling with some plastic bottle skittles on their back garden. — Image caption,
Playing homemade skittles out of household objects improves your toddler's coordination and communication skills.

19. Make paper aeroplanes

Being able to make a paper aeroplane is a rite of passage once children start school. Start early and make some colour paper planes with your little ones. You can paint and decorate them and watch them soar around your living room or garden.

If your child is a little young for making paper planes, you could try simply ripping up paper. This noisy activity is loved by children and it gives you the opportunity to introduce some new vocabulary such as ‘rustle’ and ‘crunchy’.

20. Bake something together

Build memories with your little ones by baking together. This summer activity can encourage fussy toddlers to try new foods and experiment with different textures and tastes.

Adding nursery rhymes or songs to your baking activities can also help children remember simple recipes and routines.

21. Make homemade playdough

We’re warning you that this fun summer activity could get a little messy!

Making playdough is a great creative sensory play activity for children and parents alike! Our homemade playdough recipe is easy to follow and is created from everyday ingredients.

Making homemade playdough is a perfect family activity for those rainy summer days. It can help to develop fine motor skills, improve language and social skills and can even calm children down if they’re a little too energetic at bedtime.

22. Build an indoor fort

Our final fun activity is making an indoor fort. The best thing about this activity idea is that it can be combined with tidying!

As you tidy, your child can help pile the toys and boxes and tell you what they are building. Your child can lead and decide where toys go. This can also help establish routines and keep their room a little neater.

23. Make a summer scrapbook together

Throughout the summer months, why not create a treasured book of memories with your child?

You could add pictures from your adventures together or stick in items you've found when out and about.

For older children, try writing a daily diary entry. You could chat to your little one about your day and what you did together, then write about it in the book together. This will help your little one practice speaking in longer sentences.

By the end of summer, you’ll have a sentimental book of memories to enjoy together for years to come.

Whether you choose cloud watching, fort making or family sleepovers as your summer activity, you’re bound to start making memories with your little one that will last a lifetime.

There are so many fun summer activities to choose from, it might be difficult to decide which one to do first. If you want to add a bit of excitement into the summer holidays, why not write all the activities on pieces of paper and put them in a jar. Your child could pick one out whenever you're looking for something to do together.

Hop over to our social media channels on and and tell us what your favourite family summer activities are.