As the summer sun blazes down, finding ways to keep kids entertained and cool can be a challenge. On summer break, no one wants to be stuck inside an air conditioned house and you can’t go to the indoor trampoline park every day, all day.
But don’t sweat the heat—there are plenty of creative and fun activities that will help your family beat it without breaking the bank.
With these fun and easy-to-organize activities, you can create lasting memories with your kids while staying refreshed and avoiding heat stroke. Don’t forget your sunscreen and sunshade apparatuses so you have a place to get out of the sun when it’s time for a break.
Here’s a list of easy-to-organize summer activities that will keep your kids cool, happy, and engaged all season long.
15 Cool Games & Activities for Kids to Beat the Heat
1. DIY Water Balloon Piñata
Combine the thrill of a piñata with the cooling effect of water for an unforgettable summer activity. Fill water balloons, hang them from a sturdy tree branch, and let the kids take turns trying to burst them with a soft bat or stick. When the balloons pop, they’ll get a refreshing splash of water—perfect for a hot day!
What You Need: Water balloons (the quick fill kind!), string, a bat or stick, and a tree or sturdy structure to hang the balloons from.
2. Ice Block Treasure Hunt
Turn a simple ice block into a treasure hunt adventure. Freeze small toys, coins, trinkets and fun objects within a large block of ice. You can do this by taking a large container or plastic tub and filling it with water and items (you might need to freeze a layer at a time to do this properly.)
Give the kids tools like plastic hammers, spoons, or salt to help them excavate the treasures. It’s a fun, hands-on way to keep cool while engaging in a bit of exploration.
What You Need: Small toys or coins, a large container for freezing, water, plastic hammers, rubber mallet or spoons, and salt.
3. DIY Outdoor Sprinkler
If you don’t have a sprinkler system, create your own with a plastic bottle! Poke holes in an empty plastic bottle, attach it to the end of your garden hose, and turn on the water. The bottle will spray water in all directions, creating a fun, homemade sprinkler for the kids to run through. If the bottle needs help staying on the hose you can secure this with good ‘ol waterproof duct tape.
What You Need: An empty plastic bottle, a garden hose, and something to poke holes (like a nail or screwdriver).
4. Popsicle Stick Boat Races
Get creative with craft time by making popsicle stick boats that your kids can race in a kiddie pool or bathtub. Use popsicle sticks, glue, and colorful decorations to build the boats, then let the races begin. It’s a fun way to combine crafting with a cool-down activity.
What You Need: Popsicle sticks in bulk, glue, markers or paint, a kiddie pool or bathtub, and decorations like stickers or fabric.
5. Sponge Bomb Water Fights
Forget about water balloons—sponge bombs are an eco-friendly and reusable alternative that are just as much fun. Cut sponges into strips, tie them together in the middle, and soak them in water. Then, let the water fight begin! The sponge bombs are soft, safe, and easy to refill.
What You Need: Pack of sponges, scissors, string or rubber bands, and a bucket of water.
6. Frozen Paint Cubes
Get artistic with a cool twist by making frozen paint cubes. Pour washable paint into an ice cube tray, add a popsicle stick as a handle, and freeze. Once solid, kids can use the frozen paint cubes to create colorful masterpieces on paper. The melting paint adds a unique texture and cooling effect to the art.
What You Need: Washable paint, an ice cube tray (we love silicone ice cube trays and use them for everything!), popsicle sticks, and paper.
7. Water Balloon Baseball
Combine two summer favorites—water balloons and baseball—for a splashing good time. Use water balloons as baseballs, and let the kids take turns batting. When they hit the balloon, it bursts into a refreshing splash. Just be sure to have plenty of balloons ready because this game will be a hit!
What You Need: Water balloons (the quick fill kind!, a plastic bat, and an open area for playing.
8. Cool-Down Scavenger Hunt
Create a scavenger hunt that leads kids to different cooling stations around the yard or park. For example, one clue might lead to a spot where they can dunk their heads in a bucket of cold water, while another might take them to a place where they can sit in the shade with a cold popsicle. It’s a fun way to keep them active while staying cool.
What You Need: Clues, buckets of water, cold treats like popsicles, and a shaded area.
9. Backyard Beach Day
Bring the beach to your backyard with a DIY beach day. Fill a kiddie pool with water, lay out towels, and set up a sandpit or sandbox for building sandcastles. Add beach toys, umbrellas, and a Bluetooth speaker playing ocean sounds for the full effect. It’s a mini vacation without leaving home.
What You Need: A kiddie pool, beach towels, sandpit or sandbox, beach toys, umbrellas, and a waterproof Bluetooth speaker.
10. Frozen Fruit Snacks
Instead of sugary popsicles, try making frozen fruit snacks with your kids. Cut up fruits like grapes, berries, or watermelon, and freeze them for a refreshing and healthy treat. You can also dip the fruit in yogurt before freezing for an extra layer of flavor.
What You Need: Fresh fruit, yogurt (optional), silicone freezer popsicle molds, and a freezer.
11. Ice Cream Sundae Bar
Nothing beats the heat like ice cream! Set up an ice cream sundae bar with different flavors, toppings, and sauces. Let the kids build their own sundaes and get creative with the combinations. To add a little fun, you could even have a friendly competition to see who can make the most outrageous sundae.
What You Need: Ice cream, toppings (like sprinkles, fruit, and chocolate chips), sauces, bowls, and spoons.
12. DIY Water Park
Transform your backyard into a mini water park with a few simple items. Set up a slip-and-slide, kiddie pools, and a DIY sprinkler (like the one mentioned earlier). You can also grab a backyard splash pad for kids and pets! You can also add water balloons, sponge bombs, and even a hose with a spray nozzle for extra fun. Let the kids spend the day splashing around and enjoying their very own water park.
What You Need: Slip-and-slide, kiddie pools, backyard splash pad, sprinklers, water balloons, sponges, and a garden hose.
13. Glow Stick Pool Party
Take your evening pool time to the next level with a glow stick pool party. Drop waterproof glow sticks into the pool or kiddie pool after dark, and watch the water light up with color. The glowing water creates a magical atmosphere, perfect for a night of fun and cooling off.
What You Need: Waterproof glow sticks and a pool or kiddie pool.
14. Homemade Slushies
Make homemade slushies with your kids using juice, ice, and a blender. Simply blend ice with your favorite fruit juice or lemonade until you reach the desired consistency. You can also add fresh fruit for extra flavor. Serve in fun cups with straws, and enjoy a cool, refreshing treat together.
What You Need: Juice, ice, a blender, fresh fruit (optional), cups, and straws.
15.. Nature’s Ice Cream
For a natural twist on ice cream, freeze bananas and blend them into a creamy, dairy-free treat. Add cocoa powder for a chocolate flavor, or mix in peanut butter for a nutty twist. The result is a delicious and healthy frozen dessert that your kids will love.
What You Need: Bananas, a blender, and optional mix-ins like cocoa powder or peanut butter.
Recap
Keeping cool during the summer doesn’t have to be a chore.
Whether you’re hosting a water balloon baseball game, making frozen paint cubes, or enjoying a glow stick pool party, these ideas are sure to keep the summer fun and cool for everyone. So grab your supplies, get creative, and enjoy all the refreshing activities the season has to offer!
More Summer Resources:
- 15 Healthy Summer Snacks for Kids
- Stress-Free Camping Hacks for Camping with Kids
- The Best Outdoor Water Activities to Keep Kids Cool This Summer
- Smart Screentime Rules: Guiding Kids & Teens in the Digital Age
- 18 Amazing Outdoor Party Ideas for a Fun Backyard Birthday Party Ideas
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