Looking for summer activities to delight the whole family? From sprinkler fun and beach adventures to staycations and movies, you and your kids are sure to be entertained with this list of activities.
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We invite you to find the fun and soak up as much of it as you can this summer.
Not sure where to start? We’ve got nine of the best ideas to keep you entertained all summer long. From sprinkler fun and beach adventures, to staycations and movies, you and your kids are sure to be entertained with this list of activities.
1. Explore the great outdoors
Natural springs? Parks and gardens? What does your area really have to offer? Maybe there’s a farm to visit or that wildlife preserve you’ve passed a thousand times and said to yourself, “Someday, I’ll check that out”. Make someday happen now. And when in doubt, you can check out any number of beaches in Florida (just be mindful of the crowds).
2. Camp… or Glamp!
If you feel like being one with nature, consider a camping trip. Whether you’re planning to stay in an RV or in a cozy tent, Florida offers some of the best camp sites around. And if you’re not quite ready to earn your wilderness badge, then perhaps a glamping adventure is more your speed. And if all else fails, you can always set up a tent outside in the yard, or even in the living room!
3. Get active
Just exploring can be plenty of fun, but breaking a sweat might even help you reach your health goals or get you back on track – admittedly, lockdown has given a lot of us the excuse to snack a bit more and get off the couch less. So, pump up your tires and go for a bike ride or strap on your skates and roll on. Or take your adventurous spirit out to the water and kayak, paddleboard, surf or go tubing.
4. Make it a movie night
A long day of exploring the great outdoors deserves a good movie night in. So pop some popcorn, get cozy on the couch and cuddle up with the family (or your favorite four-legged friend) and watch the movie you’ve been jonesing to see. Alternatively, you might load up your car and head to one of the trendy drive-in theaters.
If you’re feeling creative, you can design your own “drive in” experience or build your own movie theater experience.
5. Water Time fun
It would not be a Florida summer if it wasn’t hot, hot, hot. Cool down with some fun water time activities. Put on the sunblock, grab your towels and head to the pool. If you don’t have a pool nearby, don’t let that stop you from building a pool, ordering a standing pool, or even getting a kiddie pool to wet your tootsies.
If you’re not quite ready to dive-in, fill up some water balloons and squirt guns and have a competitive water fight. And let’s not forget the simple joy of running through the sprinklers or embracing your inner child as you glide down a slip and slide.
6. What better summer activity than a picnic?
Mix up the lunchtime routine and opt for a picnic. Fill up a basket with all of your favorite picnic snacks, grab your favorite beverages and wander on over to a park, the front yard, or even the living room floor. Not sure of what to pack? Here are some tips to ensure an epic picnic experience.
If you’re wanting to linger a bit longer, be sure to pack an activity or two. From croquet sets and hula hoops to ring toss and corn hole, there are plenty of ways to engage the whole crew. Of course, you can always just toss around a volleyball, beach ball, frisbee, or football.
7. Kitchen creations
There’s a reason the kitchen is often referred to as the hearth of the home, it brings people together. Now is the time to channel your inner Gordon Ramsay or Pioneer Woman and create that ultimate dish. If you’ve not been to your favorite restaurant in a while, now might be the opportunity to try your hand at your go-to menu item. Or make it a fun challenge ala “Chopped” and compete against the family to make dishes with some not-so-typical ingredients.
8. Have a theme night
We’re all a little sad to see how these Holidays and events have changed, and we’re feeling a little nostalgic for the year’s past. Go ahead and make your own celebrations! Don the appropriate attire, set a thematic menu, and find the appropriate entertainment.
Having an Italian night? Cook up your favorite Italian-inspired menu, and mix up some sangrias (or virgin sangrias). If you are looking for an entertainment option, turn on the Il Volo (pronounced [il ˈvoːlo]; Italian for “The Flight”) music. And don’t forget to dress up for the occasion! Want to really embrace the night, try learning some of the history of Italy, and start dreaming up your next Italian vacation. Theme nights alone can create a plethora of summer activities.
9. Make it a staycation
If a vacation isn’t on the calendar, for whatever reason, stick to a staycation. This is your ultimate pass to relax as much as you’d like while at home. Schedule it like you would any vacation, however, instead of packing up the luggage to go off to some destination, pretend you’ve already arrived.
Think of all of the summer activities you might have done in a different location. Visit the local coffee shops and explore local cuisine for every meal (remember, you don’t do dishes on your vacation). Pay a visit to the local museums and parks. Maybe even grab a dessert at the best bakery or ice cream shop you find on yelp.
And when it’s time to return to the hotel (aka, your home), pull out some board games – Candyland, Scrabble (or whatever age-appropriate game you find) – and bond with your family. While this staycation might not have been the vacation you’d envisioned a few months ago, it can still be every bit as wonderful!
