40 Ways to Kill Time With Your Kiddos This Summer

Long Summer days allow for endless opportunities while the kids are out of school, but those unfilled hours can also leave you with unplanned afternoons that turn into chaos, or worse, whiny kids. While you don't want to overschedule the warmer months, having a list of ideas is key to keeping the "boredom" at bay. Start by writing up a Summer bucket list with your little ones, and fill it with easy activities like outdoor water play, simple backyard games, messy crafts, and cool treats. Find inspiration ahead, and if you're still searching, check out even more ways to get your kids outside this Summer.

Run through sprinklers.
Getty | Ariel Skelley

Run through sprinklers.

Use boxes to build a fort.
Getty | Catherine Falls Commercial

Use boxes to build a fort.

Try a bubble paint project.
Getty | Imgorthand

Try a bubble paint project.

Take a nature hike.
Getty | Westend61

Take a nature hike.

Go fountain jumping.
Getty | Marilyn Nieves

Go fountain jumping.

Decorate cookies.
Getty | Carlina Teteris

Decorate cookies.

Get into a book series.
Getty | The Good Brigade

Get into a book series.

Find an ice cream truck.
Getty | EllenMoran

Find an ice cream truck.

Ride bikes around the neighborhood.
Getty | Shestock

Ride bikes around the neighborhood.

Tour your local university.
Getty | Cappi Thompson

Tour your local university.

Do some tie-dyeing.
Getty | Lea Scaddan

Do some tie-dyeing.

Plan a water balloon fight.
Getty | © Santiago Urquijo

Plan a water balloon fight.

Set up a car wash.
Getty | Cavan Images

Set up a car wash.

Make wishes on dandelions.
Getty | sola deo gloria

Make wishes on dandelions.

Feed the ducks.
Getty | Akiko Aoki

Feed the ducks.

Start a lemonade stand.
Getty | RUSS ROHDE

Start a lemonade stand.

Play with sidewalk chalk.
Getty | Stephen Simpson

Play with sidewalk chalk.

Melt old crayons in the sun.
Getty | Amber Beld

Melt old crayons in the sun.

Host a water fight.
Getty | Carol Yepes

Host a water fight.

Eat popsicles outside.
Getty | Sally Anscombe

Eat popsicles outside.

Plan a treasure hunt.
Getty | Westend61

Plan a treasure hunt.

Set up an obstacle course.
Getty | SolStock

Set up an obstacle course.

Have a hula hoop competition.
Getty | Jose Luis Pelaez Inc

Have a hula hoop competition.

Have a scavenger hunt.
Getty | Marc Romanelli

Have a scavenger hunt.

Swim at the local pool.
Getty | Thomas Barwick

Swim at the local pool.

Have an outdoor movie night.
Getty | Klaus Vedfelt

Have an outdoor movie night.

Make a mess with paint.
Getty | mrs

Make a mess with paint.