38 Outdoor Activities to Get Kids Out of the House This Summer

Seashells make a great craft because they are inexpensive (or free) and the options are endless. Your tots can paint them, string them, or stack them. The only thing needed is some glue and a little creativity!

Teach the kids about setting goals early on with a Summer bucket list. It doesn't have to be anything serious — friendships, new sports, or recipes — but it will be fun to check items off the list and turn to it for ideas when it feels like you're in the midst of an endless Summer. Consider making one at the end of the Summer too, heading into the school year.

Oh the slip 'n slide! Whether you choose to homemake one with plastic sheeting or purchase one ($20), no child will turn this activity down. Try adding pool toys and setting it on a slight slope to increase the fun factor.

Turn the kids into their favorite animals with face paint, glitter, and jewels. Don't worry if you're not a professional makeup artist, we have all the tips and tricks you need to know.

This time it's OK for your child to blow bubbles in her drink! With only a few ingredients you probably already have around the house, your tot will make beautiful and dreamy bubble prints that turn into great book covers, handmade cards, or decorations for her room. Messy, yes, but that makes this project even more fun — and perfect for a sunny Summer afternoon!

A chalkboard wall gives your artists a place to draw without the worry — phew! Consider these creative ideas for chalkboard paint and read this guide before you get started.

Pack up the kids, head to the park, and feed the ducks! With just a roll of bread, you and the kids are guaranteed endless entertainment, not to mention giggles. You can even make a half-day trip of it, packing a lunch and hanging by the playground.

Sure, the kids can play with sidewalk chalk this Summer. But why not switch it up a bit and let them spray their chalk. By simply mixing paint, water, cornstarch, and soap, they'll have a unique formula that's fun to spritz on the driveway and sidewalk.

With little more than some PVC pipe and a garden hose, you can transform your driveway into a car wash for small tricycle riders.

On extremely hot days, brew up sun tea. It's rather simple and the kids will get a kick from brewing a tasty drink outside. This spearmint tea recipe is a sweet combination of lemon and mint for a nice summertime flavor.

A car wash is probably one of the few chores that can be turned into playtime. Get out the buckets, rags, and bubbles, and let them have fun with it. Reward them for their hard work with a few bucks or a trip to the candy store!

Science is fun but messy. So bring the lab outside in the Summer and let kids mix and spill to their hearts' content! This outdoor science lab has everything kids need to start experimenting — beakers, test tubes, food coloring, and a ground ready to soak up the spills!

Kick the kids' sweet tooth into high gear with an ice cream sundae bar. All you need is a few flavors of ice cream and their favorite toppings, like Oreos, gummy bears, and sprinkles (of course!).

Who doesn't love a game of Kerplunk? When the weather gets warm, head outside and make a giant version of the game out of tomato cages. Better yet, fill it with water balloons for some fun play.

Beat the heat with this seriously easy and fun edible popsicle painting activity. Make some popsicles the day before you know things are heating up, and you're ready for a Summer painting adventure.

Some of the best Summer memories can be made around a campfire. If you have a fire pit or access to one, let the kids roast everything from veggies to s'mores. After everyone is fed and full, tell stories and share in some good laughs.

Turn on the sprinklers, crank up the hose, and fill up those water guns; it's time for a water fight! The perfect activity on a hot day, water fights are a great substitute for the pool and a fun way for the kids to keep cool. Just be sure to have the towels handy.

Tie-dyeing, that age-old activity that helps color little ones' clothes, is a great way to have some fun this Summer, but by moving it outside, no one has to worry about it ruining furniture.

For less than $10, your kids can create a backyard race track that will keep them entertained all afternoon. These soap boat races are not only fun for kids, adults will love competing too!

Pull out the pirate hats and send them on a treasure hunt. Make a treasure map by staining the paper with coffee and burning the edges. Then, have a prize — gold coins — hidden at the end of the journey. Watching their excitement will be just as fun for you as it is for them.

If your tot already loves the game of sudoku, put the pen and paper away and shut off the iPad because it's time to create a giant version for the driveway. Once other kids see your tot solving the puzzles, they'll be quick to join in the fun!

Get the kids into a competitive spirit with an obstacle course. Using objects you already own (ropes, tubes, and beams), you can create a backyard course that tests their agility and will keep them entertained for hours. It also makes an affordable party theme too!

If you live on a coast, nothing beats a day at the beach. Pack these essentials for the babe and let the tots play in sand. Just don't forget the sunscreen!

No need to wait until Christmas; bake up these gooey sugar cookies and let the tots decorate. Use cookie cutters, food coloring, and sprinkles to make each cookie unique.

Get outside and get gardening. Starting a garden is a great way to teach the kiddos about fresh food and get them cooking later on. Between the watering and the weeding, a garden will keep them occupied all Summer long, too. If all goes as planned, they'll have a pumpkin come Fall!

Art and movement join forces when you start throwball painting. All that's needed is a box, some paint, and some balls. The end result is nothing short of colorful!

Pack for a picnic and head to the park; it's time for an adventure! Between their favorite snacks and these picnic essentials, you'll have a nice afternoon under the sun.

Get out the spray bottles: this spray-paint craft will have your tot spritzing away! Along with making something really colorful, this activity will get all those little hand muscles moving, perfect for building fine motor skills. Your child will also explore color theory, seeing what happens when the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) mix together! Doing this project outdoors makes cleanup as easy as a hose-down.

Plan a day of visiting park fountains and splash pads to keep the kids cool. Each pad is different, providing tots with tons of different ways to play.

Put your little detectives to work with a scavenger hunt. This is a great activity for a group of kids, and you can set it up anywhere: park, backyard, house, or neighborhood. Keep it simple or turn to this detective party for clues on how to set up a more elaborate adventure.

No Summer is complete without a night of backyard camping. Pitch a tent, make s'mores, and tell campfire stories — no worry of bears necessary!

You can create a world of discovery for your tot with these ice eggs. The night before a warm day, simply fill a balloon with water and add in a small toy or two. Send the kids outside to examine them and see what objects they can find.