Memorial weekend was the unofficial start of summer when families and kids look forward to days filled with activities ranging from summer camp to a day at the zoo. But with quarantine restrictions from COVID-19 pandemic summer fun has taken a detour. Across the country, traditional summer routines of kids’ camps, attending festivals, swimming pool visits or family vacation trips have been cancelled. Summer plans have taken a detour but that doesn’t that this year’s summer can’t be filled with fun.
There are 98 days between Memorial Day (May 25) and August 30, the last day of summer before school starts August 31. Here’s a list of 100 activities parents and kids can enjoy and take back summer.
100 Things to do with the kids this summer
1. Check out one of these 30 virtual summer camps at https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/parenting/a32611709/virtual-summer-camp-ideas/
2. Join the national campaign to read 1,000 books before kindergarten with your little one. For more information go to https://1000booksbeforekindergarten.org/1000-books-before-kindergarten-program/
3. Even though many zoos remain closed, these organizations have virtual experiences and online activities for kids to participate. Try the San Diego Zoo (https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/), the Denver Zoo (https://denverzoo.org/), or Chicago’s Lincoln Park zoo (https://www.lpzoo.org/)
4. Check out Yellowstone National Park and learn about the Old Faithful Geyser athttps://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm. Had plans to visit Glacier National Park this summer? Try their live webcam shots instead (https://www.nps.gov/glac/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm).
5. If your kids need some new toys to stave off boredom, have them try making their own toys. For more information try these websites for ideas (https://rediscoveredfamilies.com/toys-kids-can-make/) or (https://happyhooligans.ca/70-awesome-toys-make-kids/).
6. Stage an A-to-Z scavenger hunt, where you have to find something that starts with every letter. Or try one of these other scavenger hunt ideas found at https://www.care.com/c/stories/3833/8-scavenger-hunt-ideas-for-kids/.
7. Make a bingo card with the different types of birds you can see in Nevada. See who can find the biggest variety.
8. Do a bug census in your backyard or park. As you spot insects, keep track of them to earn badges.
9. Start a family summer journal or a family yearbook. Include photos, observations, and mementos.
10. Start and keep a nature journal. Record the day’s weather including high and low temperatures, animal, insect and plant sightings, and drawings. To get started, check out this pdf provided by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (https://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/NatureJournal.pdf).
11. Give the kids crepe paper, balloons and art supplies to decorate their bikes or rooms.
12. Build some cardboard creations such as forts, houses, cars or robots.
13. Let the kids sit in their new cardboard cars while watching a movie.
14. Make homemade ice cream using mason jars. Check out the instructions here https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/delicious-ice-cream-scratch-using-213848897.html
15. Make milk carton boats. Take an old milk carton and shape it in the fashion of a boat. You can even paint it and stick a toothpick in it with a taped flag! Test it out by putting it in water in the sink or bath. Does it float? If not, your kids can brainstorm on how to fix it.
16. Paint rocks. Are you one with rocks everywhere in your yard or nearby? Have fun painting faces or designs on rocks with your kids. You could use these as door stoppers or paper weights! Or build a terrarium and include the painted rocks to decorate the terrarium.
17. Balloon tennis. Using paper plates, paint stirrers, and air-blown balloons, you can easily make this fun summer kids’ activity for the outside. You could also play this inside since you are hitting a balloon!
18. Construct a glow-in-the-dark mason jar with this how-to (http://frompankawithlove.blogspot.com/2012/01/glowing-jar-project-varazslat-lakasban.html?m=1) , you can make believe with this glow in the dark jar! You can capture fairies or even use it as a night light. The results are radiant!
19. Pretend you're at the beach. Build sand castles in the sand box, lay out on towels under beach umbrellas and soak your feet in the wading pool.
20. Having that beach party includes having beach drinks! Get whole coconuts, pineapples or watermelons and scoop out the inside and use the pulp to make cold summer drinks. Put the drink back in to the coconut, pineapple or watermelon and add a straw and an umbrella and you’ve got a tropical delight.
21. Camp in the backyard. Set up a tent, grab some flashlights, sleeping bags and board games.
22. If you have a fire pit or a grill, dream up some new ideas to cook over the campfire. You can add fun ingredients to classic s'mores, or cook up some campfire popcorn or hot dogs.
23. Mark the 4th of July with your own family celebration. Have the kids make red, white or blue jello, spray paint stars on the lawn and break out some instruments for your own parade around the neighborhood.
24. Don’t have musical instruments? Have the kids make drums from wood spoons and pots, put some metal screws and nuts in an empty tin can for a makeshift tambourine. For more musical instrument ideas go to https://feltmagnet.com/crafts/Music-Instruments-for-Kids-to-Make.
25. Set up your own drive-in restaurant. Let the kids sit in the car in the driveway, give them a menu and take their orders. You can even go old-school and deliver the food on roller skates if you're skilled.
26. Practice the alphabet with your little ones in your yard, neighborhood or just in the house. Have them find objects to match the letter of the alphabet. A is for apple tree, B is for bird, C is for chocolate chip cookie.
27. Put a new twist on baking cookies by baking cookies from around the globe. Check out these recipes https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/cookies-around-the-world/. Add a geography lesson and have the kids research the country where these cookies are baked.
28. Give your kid free rein of the kitchen to make their own snack or lunch.
29. Give your kids a cooking challenge. Pick out 5 random ingredients and tell them they have to use all of them to create something delicious.
30. Set out frosting, sprinkles, food coloring and candy. Give the kids some cupcakes. Let them decorate.
31. If you’re a fan of the Great British Bake-Off show why not have an old-fashion tea party complete with tea sandwiches? Check out these recipes at https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/tea-sandwich-recipes/. If it’s too hot to have hot tea, try iced teas.
32. The Smithsonian Institution website has extensive digital resources including online events, exhibitions, podcasts, and collections. Discover these resources at https://www.si.edu/.
33. YouTube has great virtual walking tour of foreign cities and historical sites. Check out this one of the Colosseum in Rome at the Prowalking Tours Channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJeF7hDB0UA&t=1565s)
34. YouTubers are always doing 24-hour challenges — 24 hours in your bedroom, 24 hours in a tub of slime, 24 hours reading. Pick one of the more manageable ones to try out (you could also adjust the time parameters to something more realistic.)
35. Learn about stargazing and identify as many constellations as possible. Head over to NASA’s website at https://www.nasa.gov/ for more space news.
36. Teach kids how to sew a button on a shirt or how to hem a pair of pants. Check out these websites for more sewing projects for kids. (https://dabblesandbabbles.com/15-fun-and-easy-sewing-projects-for-kids/) or (https://www.theidearoom.net/simple-sewing-projects-kids/)
37. Try something creative with paint — like hydro dipping, fluid art or tie dying. Have an outdoor painting party using huge canvases or cardboard.
38. Set up a bucket and rope “pulley” contraption. So great for gross motor development!
39. Check out a virtual story time, then have your kids plan and record their own.
40. The Las Vegas Natural History Museum has a Museum From Home program here https://www.lvnhm.org/field-trips/homeschoolprograms/.
41. Put on some music and choreograph your own dance with your kids. Take pictures or record it to share it with friends and family.
42. The Museum of Modern Art has gathered Teach Art at Home resources at https://www.moma.org/magazine/articles/255.
43. Have kids write and illustrate their own book. Try a flip book. Here’s instructions https://iheartcraftythings.com/diy-funny-face-flip-book.html.
44. Play mini golf by setting up a course in your yard or driveway with various sorts of containers.
45. Tired of the same old backyard games? Check out these alternative games at https://www.care.com/c/stories/3783/11-backyard-games-for-kids/.
46. Make your own backyard festival. Have the kids come up with carnival games and help them set them up. Ring toss, a duck pond and a photo booth are good DIY options. Make snow cones, caramel corn, corn on the cob or soft pretzels.
47. Do some backyard science experiments. Discovery World has plenty of ideas.
48. Make your own hard-to-pop bubbles with 1 cup of distilled water, 2 tablespoons of Dawn dish soap and 1 tablespoon of glycerin.
49. Have a game night with charades, Pictionary, bingo, Monopoly, Scrabble or Chutes and Ladders.
50. Put together a water day in the backyard. Gather slip 'n slides, water balloons, spray bottles, buckets and sponges and wading pools.
51. Play corn hole. If you don't have a set, make your own. Cardboard is plentiful, and bean bags are easy to make.
52. Your kids have probably been playing a lot of video games. Join them and let them teach you how to play.
53. Make a Time Capsule: Let kids choose what they want to include, from school photos to a list of favorite toys. Then bury the time capsule in the backyard or put it away somewhere safe so it can be found by future generations — or so you can dig it up when your kids become adults!
54. Transform a shipping pallet into a garden. For inspiration go to https://themicrogardener.com/20-creative-ways-to-upcycle-pallets-in-your-garden/.
55. Collect nature items and use them for crafts and activities. You can find ideas on the Denver Botanical Gardens’ Dig Into Nature at Home web page https://www.botanicgardens.org/education/children-family-programs.
56. Fly a kite with your family. Check out this two-step handmade kite at https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/craft-ideas/how-to/a33087/how-to-make-kite/.
57. Research your family history and have kids make a thumbprint family tree. Here’s the instructions on getting started https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/craft-ideas/a37873/family-tree-craft-for-kids/.
58. Play baseball in your yard, complete with tailgating in your driveway.
59. Recycle cans into windsocks or wind chimes. For instructions look here https://happyhooligans.ca/homemade-wind-chimes-for-kids/.
60. You don't need a rink to roller skate or skateboard. Just a sidewalk.
61. Gather up hula hoops, jump ropes and balls. Set up a backyard obstacle course.
62. In a similar vein, grab buckets, cushions and beach towels. Construct a way to get across the yard (or living room) without stepping on the ground (aka lava).
63. You know how your kids are always looking for attention from you? Indulge them for an afternoon. Let them put on a show and commit to sitting and watching it (no matter how long and rambling it gets).
64. Gather up toy shopping carts and cash registers, and let the kids turn the pantry, fridge and kitchen into a pretend grocery store.
65. The Denver Museum of Natural History and Science has a great Stay-At-Home program at https://www.dmns.org/learn/dmns-at-home/.
66. Do a twist on traditional puzzling. Split the family up into teams. Give each team a puzzle with the same number of pieces. Compete to see who puts the puzzle together fastest.
67. If your kids have ever gotten doubles of Lego kits for gifts, you can do the same type of competition. Or, just give each team the same types of Lego bricks and see the different creations each team comes up with.
68. Give everyone a crazy hair style (Note: this will be even easier if you haven't gotten a haircut since safer at home started.)
69. Have the kids create their own board games with cardboard and art supplies. Have them think about and write down the rules.
70. Have everyone choose clothes to make up a crazy outfit or have a Wear-Your-Clothes-Backwards day. Have a fashion show.
71. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum has a virtual summer camp which can be found at http://desertmuseum.org/
72. Encourage film making. Legos, a cell phone and imagination are all you need to make a stop-motion video.
73. Learn to play children’s games from other countries. Start here to learn more about children’s games around the world https://www.parents.com/fun/games/educational/games-from-around-the-world/
74. Get out the jump ropes and set the timer to see who can jump the most. It's great exercise.
75. Try out an online exercise class with your kids.
76. Have the family learn to juggle.
77. Gaze at the clouds. Look for shapes and patterns in clouds. See if there are any cloud horses, dogs, or silly faces.
78. Remember those parachute games you used to play in gym class? You can buy parachutes on Amazon. Order one and have a family parachute game.
79. Go on a photo safari. Choose a theme such as all the different kinds of signs (stop signs, yield signs, business signs), or different types of plants.
80. Learn to read a map and use a compass. Have the kids draw maps of the house, the backyard and the neighborhood. Check out these map activities https://www.enchantedlearning.com/geography/mapreading/.
81. Check out the Humboldt County Library’s Summer Learning program. The library will have online classes and programs for all age groups.
82. Set aside one-on-one time for the different members of your family. Do an art project with your crafty kid. Run around outside with your active child. Snuggle together reading some books with your bookworm child.
83. Draw some pictures and make some postcards to send to people — grandparents, essential workers, people in long-term care facilities, emergency responders. Can’t visit friends? Make them pen pals and write to them! Everyone enjoys getting handwritten letters or postcards.
84. Have everyone in the family brainstorm one thing that would be part of a dream house. Get the family together to draw a massive picture that incorporates everyone's ideas.
85. The summer Olympics aren't happening this year, but they can happen in your backyard. Put together your own family competitions, from soccer to volleyball to gymnastics.
86. National Geographic has tons of activities for kids. Go check out the website at https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/.
87. Have the kids make their own list of things to do when bored for each day of the week.
88. Keep up the summer learning with a research project. Ask your child what subject really fascinates them. It could be dinosaurs, the solar system or Amelia Earhart. Get some books, watch some documentaries and visit some websites to learn interesting facts. Have them make a poster or a presentation to show to the family.
89. If your kids are reluctant hikers or bike riders, give them an incentive. Before you set out on your hike or ride, pack a backpack with some favorite snacks. Tell them they get a surprise after 10 minutes without complaints.
90. Discovery Children’s Museum in Las Vegas has a wide range of activities At Home Discoveries at its web page. https://www.discoverykidslv.org/at-home-discoveries/
91. The Humboldt Museum is conducting tours this summer. This is a great place to check out the mammoth fossil has. Contact the museum for hours of operation and to schedule a tour at appointment@humboldtmuseum.org or leave a message at (775) 623-2912.
92. Celebrate Christmas in July. Watch some holiday movies or TV specials, sing Christmas songs while baking some cookies and wrapping some inexpensive gifts to open.
93. Designate a special relaxation spot in your house for each person. It could be a corner of the living room, a window seat, even a closet (with the door open). Let each family member set it up with cozy blankets, special toys and favorite things to do.
94. Let the kids stay up late and have a silly family sleepover.
95. Have a try-something-new meal. Yes, the kids have to overcome their pickiness to try a food they've never liked before. But, the catch is, the grown-ups have to do the same.
96. Have a stay-at-home summer camp. You can decide on a theme and make up activities to go along with them, or you can just play a few of the games they usually get to do at camp.
97. Try some deconstruction STEAM projects. Find some old electronic items that no longer work and let your kids take them apart. Get out the tools such as screw drivers and pliers and let them get a look inside electronics. Create a tinker/engineering box with these how-to-instructions https://www.kcedventures.com/blog/make-your-own-tinker-box-build-robots-stem-project-for-kids.
98. For those really hot days, freeze blueberries, strawberries, or other fruit in ice cube trays and add them to tea or water.
99. Grab the poles and go fishing. You can purchase a Nevada fishing license online at https://nevada.licensing.kalkomey.com/.
100. Institute cleaning races every day. Pick a room, set a timer, turn on some music and see how long it takes to race around putting toys away, dusting and vacuuming.
