17 Free Outdoor Summer Boredom Busters for Kids

When kids are out of school for the summer and the excitement wears off, the days can become long and boring. Make the summer meaningful and full of adventures and fun memories that your kids will remember forever. Having a wild and carefree summer does not have to break the bank. Keep your kids busy with these fun free outdoor summer boredom busters for kids.

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Image illustrates free summer boredom busters for kids.

Getting Kids Outdoor for Some Summer Fun!

Man, kids these days! It’s like they were born with a perpetual boredom gene or something. I mean, I get it – no school, no routine, just endless days of lounging around. But seriously, there’s so much to do! Back in my day, we didn’t have all these fancy gadgets and video games. We had to get creative! From building bike ramps in the backyard to catching fireflies at dusk, summers were an adventure filled with possibilities. Hell, even a game of tag felt like an Olympic event! Kids nowadays just need to step out of their comfort zones and embrace the simple joys of childhood again. Explore nature, build forts, ride bikes till the sun sets – the options are endless! So parents, come on – let’s challenge our little couch potatoes to break free from that Netflix trance and rediscover the magic of summer!

As adults, it’s our responsibility to inspire and encourage the younger generation to engage in activities that foster their imagination and creativity. We can organize community events where children can participate in outdoor games and sports, fostering a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. Additionally, we can introduce them to the wonders of nature by organizing camping trips or nature walks, allowing them to appreciate the beauty and serenity of the natural world. By providing opportunities for hands-on experiences and encouraging them to explore their surroundings, we can help children break free from the confines of technology and rediscover the joy and wonder of the world around them.

Organizing Fun Workshops for Kids

Furthermore, it is crucial for us to promote the importance of arts and culture in the lives of young individuals. By organizing art workshops and exhibitions, we can expose children to various forms of artistic expression, such as painting, sculpture, and music. These activities not only stimulate their creativity, but also allow them to develop a deeper appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. Moreover, we should encourage reading and storytelling sessions to ignite their imagination and foster a love for literature. By nurturing their artistic and literary interests, we can help children develop into well-rounded individuals who are capable of thinking critically and expressing themselves confidently.

Summer is the perfect time to encourage kids to get outdoors and explore the wonders of nature. With longer days, warmer weather, and no school responsibilities, there’s plenty of time for them to engage in outdoor activities that foster their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Whether it’s hiking on scenic trails, swimming in lakes or pools, playing sports with friends at the local park, or simply enjoying a picnic under shady trees, being outside allows children to soak up vitamin D from the sun while staying active. Additionally, outdoor play promotes creativity and imagination as kids interact with their natural surroundings – discovering insects hiding among flower beds or building forts out of fallen branches. So let’s unplug those electronic devices for a while and take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities summer has to offer our young ones!

Help Kids Develop Important Life Skills

Not only does spending time outdoors benefit children physically and mentally, but it also helps them develop important life skills. Exploring nature allows kids to learn about the environment and the importance of conservation. They can observe different plants and animals, gaining a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all living things. Outdoor activities also provide opportunities for children to develop teamwork and social skills as they engage in group games or collaborate on building projects. Moreover, being in nature can have a calming effect on children, reducing stress and anxiety. It allows them to disconnect from the digital world and connect with the natural world around them. So let’s encourage our kids to embrace the beauty of summer and create lasting memories in the great outdoors.

Additionally, spending time outdoors can enhance children’s creativity and imagination. Being surrounded by nature’s wonders stimulates their minds and encourages them to think outside the box. Whether it’s building forts with sticks and leaves or creating imaginary worlds in the woods, outdoor play allows children to tap into their imaginative abilities and explore endless possibilities. This creative thinking can translate into problem-solving skills and innovative thinking in other areas of their lives. Furthermore, outdoor activities provide opportunities for children to develop resilience and adaptability. They learn to navigate through different terrains, overcome obstacles, and adjust their strategies accordingly. These experiences build their confidence and teach them the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges. Overall, the great outdoors offers a rich and diverse learning environment that nurtures children’s physical, mental, social, and emotional development.

Exploring Free Summer Adventure Ideas

Let’s dive into some fun and free summer boredom busters for kids that may help you and your kids have the best summer ever without breaking the bank. Some of these activities you and your kids may have already done, but think of new ways of experiencing them. For instance, if you have already gone hiking, go on a different type of hike. Maybe explore some caves and gorges rather than a trail. In Ohio, we got to explore Old Man’s Cave and think of creative and fun ideas of why they call it “Old Man’s Cave” and Blackhand Gorge where we try to find the huge black hand on a gorge. Make it a fun and new adventure!

Research some fun trails and attractions in your community. Discover the hot spots in the local rivers that a lot of people visit and see what the hype is all about. You never know what you are missing out on! We did this and discovered white water rafting for kids and got in on the fun by buying $6.00 river tubes from Walmart and hoping in line at the river. This is where you remember your own parents saying, “Well, if everyone jumped in the river, would you follow?” My response this time would be, “Well, yes!” (Everyone was doing it!)

Let’s have a look at some fun summer boredom busters for kids!

1. Archery

Image illustrates free summer boredom busters for kids like archery.

If your kids have a junior bow and arrow set they may have gotten for their Christmas or birthday one year, set up a fun backyard archery for them. Collect empty bottles of soda and cans and set them on top of buckets for targets. Hang up a piece of cardboard with a bull’s eye target painted on it for them to shoot at.

More importantly, archery for kids teaches a growth mindset without the pressure of team competition that is involved with other sports. Archery for kids can help strengthen physical development, boost self-confidence, and give children a sense of accomplishment without the social pressure of other sports that are team lead. Read more about how archery for kids teaches a growth mindset and helps boost their confidence this summer.

2. Backyard Splash Pad

Image illustrates free summer boredom busters for kids like a backyard splash pad.

Set up a backyard splash pad for your kids. If you have collected PVC pipes and pool noodles over the years, you can build a backyard splash pad. Drill holes in the PVC pipes or pool noodles and hook them up to your sprinkler system. Put out the slip-and-slide and a kiddie pool and your kids will have a blast all day in the yard.

3. Bury a Time Capsule: Outdoor Summer Boredom Busters

Image illustrates free summer boredom busters for kids like bury a time capsule.

Have your kids write a letter to themselves to read in the future. Place special trinkets that will remind them of this summer in a time capsule. Add some fun photos of doing summer activities and arts and crafts inside the time capsule. Have all your kids place things inside the time capsule and bury it in the backyard where you will remember the location. A sealed mason jar will work great as a buried time capsule. Use a quart-sized jar to hold more items.

Make a treasure map for the location of the buried time capsule. Count how many footsteps to a certain tree or landmark that will most likely be there for years when the kids come to dig it up together. I did this with my sisters at my grandparent’s house. We buried our time capsule together in their backyard by a tree. It was a fun memory!

4. Camping

Image illustrates free summer boredom busters for kids like camping.

If you have all your camping gear stocked up from over the years, taking your kids camping is the ultimate fun summer activity to do as a family. Families need time together away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and to disconnect from technology. Just being out in the wilderness in a tent around a campfire surrounded by trees and stars can really help a family bond together. Just don’t forget to grab the marshmallows!

5. Farmer’s Market: Outdoor Summer Boredom Busters

Image illustrates free summer boredom busters for kids like a farmer's market.

Going to the farmer’s market can be a fun and free event if you have self-control! You can actually snag some delicious homemade goodies to snack on while hanging out in the crowd, so go ahead and spend a few dollars. Farmer’s markets usually have free live events and shows and music to keep you entertained while there. Just walking around looking at everything and munching on snacks can be a fun afternoon outing.

Plus, it is always great to see how talented your local community members are with their hands by admiring their handmade crafts, goods, and produce!

6. First Aid and CPR Home Course with First Aid and CPR Certificate FREE printable

Image illustrates free summer boredom busters for kids like CPR and first aid.

Kids naturally love to help. When they are taught ways that they can help others, they will develop a sense of purpose and this can build their confidence and self-esteem.

Here, I discuss fun ways to teach First Aid and CPR to young kids with fun interactive activities. I go over what you may need and if you have kids, I am pretty sure you already have many, if not all of these items for these activities.

This activity will help bring awareness of helping others, especially when you take them hiking and camping. They will feel like they will be able to contribute to any possible emergencies that may occur away from your home.

I provide a fun First Aid and CPR Certificate FREE printable for you to print out to reward your child with their completion of this fun course for kids. I printed out a certificate for my students and they were so proud to show their parents!

7. Fishing: Outdoor Summer Boredom Busters

Image illustrates free summer boredom busters for kids like fishing.

Fishing with kids is one of the ultimate adventures to do in the summer. You get to have a quiet peaceful lake on a summer afternoon all to yourself. Grab your poles, some bait, and some snacks, and head to the lake together for a fun summer day.

If you are worried about being in and around water with your kids, don’t let that stop you and your family from having some fun in the sun on the lake together. Follow these important safety tips for lake fishing with kids and head out to the lake and catch some fish and make some fun memories by following this link!

Lake Fishing with Kids: What to Know Before You Go

8. Free Outdoor Community Movie Nights

Image illustrates free summer boredom busters for kids like community movie nights.

Most communities host a free movie night in the local parks. Keep an eye on the local calendar so you know when to go and enjoy a fun free outdoor movie night with your family and neighbors. Just grab some cozy blankets, bean bags, and pillows and set up a cozy outdoor movie area in the grass. Just don’t forget to grab the popcorn!

9. Hiking: Outdoor Summer Boredom Busters

Image illustrates free summer boredom busters for kids like hiking.

Take your kids out for a day on a local trail filled with wonderful sounds of nature, fallen tree timbers, animals, and so much more. The trails are naturally curious to kids because there is so much to see and hear that they may not get to see and hear on a regular daily basis. Let them pick up and carry those weird sticks and stones and get their shoes wet from crossing streams. It is so fun to explore nature!

10. Lemonade Stand: Outdoor Summer Boredom Busters

Image illustrates free summer boredom busters for kids like a lemonade stand.

Make an adorable and attractive lemonade stand with your kids. Grab an old pellet board and paint the boards bright or pastel colors and hang some fun eye-catching decorations. Set the pellet board in front of the table that holds the lemonade supplies.

Grab a chair for everyone and a giant bright patio umbrella and you have the perfect lemonade stand that will attract your curious neighbors. Provide your kids with coolers and serving cups and a way to keep track of the money they make. They will love this!

11. Parks

Image illustrates free summer boredom busters for kids like parks.

Local parks are free, fun, and can keep everyone entertained for hours. Make it a point to visit all of your local parks every week throughout the summer to switch up the fun and different equipment that parks offer. If the park has a bike trail, grab the bikes, scooters, and skates for even more fun!

12. Picnics: Outdoor Summer Boredom Busters

Image illustrates free summer boredom busters for kids like picnics.

You cannot complete summer without going on a few picnics! Grab a large blanket, picnic baskets, coolers, and tons of food and drinks, and find a beautiful spot for an afternoon picnic with your family. Try a place by a calm lake to watch the ducks float around the water and possibly come begging for some free food! The kids will love it!

13. Plant a Garden

Image illustrates free summer boredom busters for kids like planting a garden.

Plant a garden with your kids. It will be fun for them to care for a garden all summer and watch it grow. It will make them feel great about themselves knowing that they grew plants to enjoy. Help them enjoy their garden more by offering gardening tools made for kids. They will love handling the fun colorful gardening tools that were made for them. Find gardening ideas in my other posts about gardening with kids and using the finest tools available and the cutest grow kit ideas.

To keep it frugal, plant some seeds you already have on hand.

OMG! The Best Garden Grow Kits for Kids Ever!

5 Best Gardening Tools for Kids to Complete Chores

14. River, Beach, and Lake Swimming

Image illustrates free summer boredom busters for kids like the river, beach, and lake swimming.

Kids love playing in the rivers and lakes. It’s wild, it’s fun, with so much to explore. It’s fun to toss sticks and branches into the river’s flow and watch them float away. The fish are fun to see and you might see some crawdads, crayfish, crawfish, or whatever you may call them, they are fun to catch. Taking your kids to the river and lake on a hot summer day can be an incredible adventure full of natural curiosity and a great way to spend a summer day.

Keep your kids safe with these ultimate guides on river and lake safety for kids by following these links.

Ultimate Guide on River Safety for Kids

Lake Fishing with Kids: What to Know Before You Go

15. Rock Painting

Image illustrates free summer boredom busters for kids like rock painting.

If you are looking for a boredom-buster activity that is fun and creative to do with your kids this summer, think no further than rock painting with kids. Rock painting is so much fun that even older kids and teenagers love to do it. Take your kids to the river for the morning to collect some amazing rocks and and begin a fun afternoon of rock painting with your kids.

Rock Painting with Kids: A Colorful Summer Activity

16. Sidewalk Chalk: Outdoor Summer Boredom Busters

Image illustrates free summer boredom busters for kids like sidewalk chalk.

Sidewalk chalk art is so fun to do on a sunny day that I still enjoy it as an adult! Kids can get creative and show off their art to their neighbors. It is also fun to draw roads and hopscotch on the sidewalks to extend this fun outdoor activity to play other activities. My boys always drew on fun curvy roads with sidewalk chalk and played with their hot wheels and trucks for hours.

17. Yard Sale: Outdoor Summer Boredom Busters

Image illustrates free summer boredom busters for kids like a yard sale.

Have your kids declutter their rooms this summer by selling their old toys and clothes and making some money. Kids are able to host a yard sale under supervision and they will love selling their things and seeing the money. I remember hosting many yard sales with my sisters when we were growing up! We got to spend our new earned money on ice cream or new toys and clothes!

Remember

To help better prepare for the long summer days, stock up on some fun summer items before the summer arrives and you will be better prepared for outdoor summer boredom busters. Stock up on paints, pool noodles, camping gear, fishing gear, seeds, and sidewalk chalk for a fun summer with your kids.