Classic Summer Activities For Kids

1 Hunt For Fireflies

Image Source: Flickr user Lindsey Turner

Hunting for fireflies or lightning bugs is one of the greatest summertime pleasures. Their beautiful, glowing sparks lighting up the earth as the sun is setting is simply magical. Grab a jar and pop some holes in the lid to see if your kid can capture Summer in a bottle.

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2 Water Balloon Fight

Image Source: Flickr user Mark Surman

Everyone loves a good water balloon fight, especially on a hot Summer day. For little ones, let them attack the ground, seeing who can throw the balloon the farthest. It's even better if you get the whole neighborhood involved.

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3 Swimming in the Local Pool

Image Source: Flickr user PoolSafely

I have vivid memories of playing at my local pool as a child. Sure, I had a swimming pool in my backyard, but that didn't have a high dive or new kids to play with. The best is when you buy a few goodies from the pool food stand during adult swim.

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4 Riding Bikes in the Neighborhood

Image Source: Flickr user Bike SLO County

Once those training wheels come off, getting to ride your bike around town is a rush of freedom. Groups of friends get to hang out, get some exercise, and pretend like they're in a modern version of Now & Then. They can be out all day until you call them home for dinner. It's the best.

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5 Eating Ice Cream on the Front Porch

Image Source: Unsplash/ Jared Sluyter

Is there any Summer pastime greater than enjoying an ice cream on your front stoop, watching the world go by as the sweet cream slowly drips down your fingers? Bonus points if your special treat was purchased from an ice cream man in a van playing "Do Your Ears Hang Low?"

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6 Playing Baseball With Friends

Image Source: Flickr user Rob Bixby

Whether they're on an official team or just playing in the driveway, baseball is the sport of Summer. All you need are a stick and a ball and the kids can feel like they're in the majors.

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7 Playing Outside Until It Gets Dark

Image Source: Unsplash/ Tom Thain

I used to play pop-fly and baseball in my cul-de-sac until it got too dark out. That feeling of straining your eyes to still see the ball but not wanting to stop playing is the definition of Summer fun.

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8 Bonfire S'mores

Image Source: Flickr user Oleg

Sticky and sweet, s'mores are as American as apple pie (as further proven in The Sandlot). Kids love watching their marshmallow gently roast (or go up in flames), and putting them together for that first bite is something that will never get old.

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9 Watching Fireworks

Image Source: Unsplash/ Chansereypich Seng

Fourth of July always has spectacular fireworks, but other events around town might give plenty of opportunities for some magic in the sky. Baseball games, parades, and town carnivals often give kids a chance to see them.

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10 Find a Book Series to Get Lost In

Image Source: Unsplash/ Val Vessa

When I was 8, I got every copy of Sweet Valley High I could get my hands on at the library (I'm pretty sure the librarian knew me by name). Let kids get engrossed in some fun beach reads, because the wonderful thing about a book is it can take you anywhere.

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