Summer break brings sunshine, long days, and... lots of free time. While that’s a dream for kids, it can quickly become overwhelming for parents. “I’m bored” starts echoing through the house before lunchtime, and suddenly, you’re scrambling for ways to keep your little ones entertained.
Good news: You don’t need a jam-packed calendar or endless screen time to keep kids busy. A mix of hands-on play, creativity, and real-world activities can turn those long summer days into something special. And yes—some of these ideas even get them helping out in the kitchen!
Here are 7 fun and simple ways to keep the kids engaged this summer—from cooking to exploring to creative crafting.
1. Host a DIY Cooking Camp (in your kitchen!)
One of the best ways to keep kids busy and build life skills is to invite them into the kitchen. You don’t need anything fancy—just a few simple recipes and a willingness to hand over the spoon.
Start with kid-friendly tasks like:
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Measuring ingredients
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Chopping soft fruits with kid-safe knives
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Decorating cupcakes or making sandwich “art”
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Mixing their own granola or trail mix
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Making homemade popsicles with juice and chopped fruit
Tovla Jr. makes this easy with their Kids Cooking and Baking Gift Set, packed with real kitchen tools designed for little hands. Add a few simple recipe cards and you’ve got your own summer cooking camp at home.
Bonus: Let kids plan one lunch or snack each week—they’ll love the responsibility!
2. Create a Backyard Obstacle Course
When the wiggles hit, an obstacle course is the perfect way to burn off energy. Use what you have—hula hoops, jump ropes, cones, pool noodles, or even chalk-drawn paths. Set up a timed course with running, hopping, crawling, or balance challenges.
You can even make it a weekly event:
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Week 1: Jungle-themed course
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Week 2: “Spy school” missions
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Week 3: Water edition with sprinklers!
Kids will get moving and problem-solving while racing against the clock or competing with siblings. Plus, it keeps them active without structured sports or outings.
3. Have a DIY Gummy-Making Day
Yes, this is another kitchen activity—but trust us, it’s not just cooking. It’s science. With the Tovla Jr. Ultimate Gummy-Making Kit, kids can mix, melt, and mold their own colorful gummy treats using real tools and visual recipe guides.
Not only is this fun, but it also taps into STEM learning through measuring, temperature changes, and understanding ingredients. Let them make worms, bears, or custom shapes and even experiment with flavor combos.
Pro tip: Set up a “Gummy Shop” where they name and package their creations for family members.
4. Start a Summer Craft Table
Keep an area stocked with basic supplies—paper, crayons, scissors, glue, stickers, pipe cleaners, felt, and tape—and let the kids take charge of their own projects.
Need some themed inspiration?
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Design your own board game
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Make friendship bracelets
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Create puppets and put on a puppet show
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Build a fairy or bug hotel from recycled items
Don’t worry about Pinterest-perfect results—the magic happens in the process. You might even be surprised at how long a box of craft supplies can keep kids engaged!
5. Turn Chores into a Game
Stay with us—this one works. Summer is a great time to teach kids life skills, and if you frame it right, they won’t even notice they’re doing chores.
Create a "Summer Skill Chart" and let them earn stickers for:
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Watering plants
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Washing fruits and veggies
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Folding towels
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Organizing the pantry or toy bins
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Helping prep dinner
Add fun twists like music challenges (fold towels before the song ends!) or relay races (who can match the most socks in 2 minutes?). You’re keeping them busy and teaching responsibility.
6. Host a Mini Makers Market
Encourage creativity and entrepreneurial thinking with a family-friendly makers market. Have kids choose a product or service to “sell” for a family fun day or neighborhood event.
Ideas include:
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Homemade bookmarks
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Painted rocks or picture frames
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Bracelets or bead necklaces
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Lemonade and cookie stands
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Personalized drawings or cards
They’ll work on planning, pricing, making change, and presentation—and you’ll be amazed at how seriously they take it. Even a backyard table setup will feel exciting to them.
7. Plan a Weekly “No-Plans Day” Adventure
Sometimes, the best activities are the ones you don’t overthink. Set aside one day each week for a spontaneous family outing or creative indoor activity based on what everyone’s in the mood for.
Ideas to keep in your back pocket:
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Take a nature walk and collect leaves or rocks
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Build a blanket fort and read library books
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Visit a splash pad or community pool
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Go on a photo scavenger hunt with a disposable or kid’s camera
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Try a “restaurant at home” lunch—menus, hosts, and all!
No-pressure days like these give kids space to be curious and explore without a tight schedule.
Final Thoughts: A Summer to Remember
Keeping kids busy during summer doesn’t mean overscheduling or spending a fortune. With a little creativity (and a few tools from your kitchen), you can turn everyday moments into meaningful memories.
From cooking and crafting to exploring and playing pretend, these seven activities offer a balance of fun, learning, and independence. Whether they’re mixing up their own gummies or building obstacle courses in the backyard, your kids will feel engaged, empowered, and most of all—happy.
Here’s to a summer full of laughter, learning, and maybe even a few quiet moments for you too!
