25 Last-Minute Fun Summer Activities for Kids to Sneak In Before Back to School

Summer’s almost over, but there’s still time to sneak in a few more moments of fun and connection with your kids before the school year starts. These fun summer activities for kids are great for making memories without a ton of planning—or spending.

Most of these ideas are free or low-cost things you can do at home or in your neighborhood. A few need a little more effort, but they’re worth it for the memories (and the tired, happy kids).

25 Simple Ways to Soak Up the Last Stretch of Summer

• Picnic in the park – Pack your kid’s favorite snacks, maybe a blanket and a few books or games, and head to a park or even your backyard—super low effort, and always a hit.
  
• Backyard camping – Set up a tent, drag out the sleeping bags, and make it special with flashlights, stories, or even a campfire if that’s safe for your yard. If you’re not a sleep-outside type (hi, same), indoor camping with a big blanket fort is just as magical.
  
• Outdoor movie night – Project it on a sheet or just bring a laptop outside, pop some popcorn, and watch something under the stars. Even just watching a movie on a picnic blanket feels special.
  
• Day at the lake or the pool – A classic. Go early to beat the crowds and bring a change of clothes and lots of snacks.
  
• Visit a water park – If there’s one nearby you haven’t hit this summer, this is your sign. Yes, it’s chaotic, but it’s also a core memory waiting to happen. There are many free or low-cost public pools with splash zones to keep this budget-friendly.
  
• Go for a hike – Keep it short and sweet if your kids aren’t big hikers. Just being outside and walking a new trail counts.
  
• Take a quick day trip – Doesn’t have to be far. Just getting out of your normal routine and driving somewhere different can reset everyone’s energy.
  
• Campfire with s’mores – Whether it’s a fire pit, grill, or even the stovetop, make it work. Bonus if you pair it with spooky stories or a scary book.
  
• Water balloon fight – Instant fun. Also, a great way to cool off after chores or yard work.
  
• Slip-and-slide or sprinkler run – Set it up and let them go wild. (It also waters your grass—so win-win.)
  
• Squirt gun fight – Add some targets or shaving cream for a silly twist.
  
• Tie-dye t-shirts – A perfect way to repurpose old tees. You can grab a cheap kit or DIY it with food coloring.
  
• DIY spa day – Think face masks, foot soaks, cucumber slices, and nail polish. Kids love it, and it’s secretly calming.
  
• Go kayaking or paddleboarding – If you live near a rental place or have gear already, this is a fun little adventure.
  
• Make your own ice cream – Even the ziplock bag version works. Kids love shaking it up and watching it freeze.
  
• DIY popsicles – Use juice, chopped fruit, or smoothie leftovers. Toss it in a mold or paper cups with sticks.
  
• Outdoor scavenger hunt – You can make one up with stuff in your yard or neighborhood. Print a list or make it up on the spot.
  
• Make mosaic stepping stones – Or fairy houses, or wind chimes. You don’t need fancy materials—use what you have.
  
• Build a fairy house – Use sticks, rocks, bark, and flowers from the yard. Bonus: it keeps them busy for a while.
  
• Make homemade lemonade – Squeeze lemons, add water and sugar, and let the kids stir (and taste test).
  
• Scary story + s’mores night – Check out a spooky book from the library and read it around the fire while eating s’mores. A surprisingly fun combo.
  
• Make a meal from a favorite book or movie – Then watch the movie while you eat it. A cozy way to bring a story to life.
  
• Snack tray dinner + movie night – A personal favorite. Skip cooking and throw together a kid charcuterie board with crackers, fruit, cheese, popcorn, chocolate—whatever you’ve got. Then curl up on the couch and press play.
  
• Blanket fort indoor camping – If sleeping outside isn’t your thing (it’s not mine either—love nature, but not sleeping in it), bring the magic inside. Add string lights or lanterns and sleep in the living room.
  
• Visit a museum on a free day – Lots of local museums offer free admission days. Look it up and go explore something new.
  
• Do a summer craft – Make wind chimes, butterfly wings from cardboard and cellophane, paint garden stones, or use air-dry clay for a little backyard art project.
  

These fun summer activities for kids don’t have to be elaborate. The whole point is to do something fun together before routines take over again. You can even let your kids pick a few favorites and build your own mini end-of-summer bucket list.

Hope this list of fun summer activities for kids gives you a few ideas (or reminders!) to make the most of these last sunny days.

But all good things must come to an end, so when you’re ready to tackle back to school, read this post to get a free printable checklist to make sure you are ready for everything.