First Day of Summer Activities for Kids

Use the warmer temperatures as an excuse to explore nature and get crafy as a family with these creative activities. 

1. Flower Power

Summer means it is time to get outside. On your next visit to a park make a flower crown thanks to these easy instructions from Friendly Nettle and celebrate the season!

2. Sunny Days 

Looking for a sensory play activity perfect for summer? Look no further than this sunshine play dough recipe from Nurture Store. The simple recipe has added yellow food coloring and craft bin add-ins (think buttons and sequins) to keep little hands (and minds!) busy.

3. Seasonal Blooms

Warning: Once you make a few of these DIY swirly paper flowers from Instructables you will not be able to stop making them. Using only colored paper, scissors and glue you can make a pretty bunch of wildflowers to bring inside (minus the bugs!). Cutting the fringes is great hand/eye coordination practice for your kiddo.

4. The Sharpest Idea

Summer’s official uniform should be tie dye, don’t you agree? Using this Sharpie tie dye technique means minimum clean up. Using only plastic cups, markers and a little rubbing alcohol you and your child can design shirts to your hearts content and get a little science lesson in the process.

5. Lego Learning

Have a talk with your child about why the solstice is the onset of summer (and how it is in the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere). Track the sun by making this Lego sundial from 123 Homeschool 4 me. Bonus: This blog has some great sun lesson plans, perfect for summer learning!

6. Rainbows, No Rain Required

If you have a little rainbow fan, they'll love this rainbow paper craft from Science Kiddo. Using only water, clean nail polish and black paper, you can create different rainbows and none will look exactly the same. Make this craft a teachable moment by explaining that in nature, a rainbow is formed when the right amount of rain and sunshine mix. When sunlight is reflected off of the raindrops, it is split into a different array of colors.

7. Fun in the Sun

We love a mess-free craft children will want to try over and over again. Bonus: These brilliant sun prints from In the Playroom are an opportunity to share a lesson about photography. To start, buy some sunography paper and find objects around your house that have fun shapes. Place those objects on the paper and set outside on a sunny day. Ta-da, you'll have a great piece of art created by nature!

8. Sunny Days Ahead

You can stare directly at the sun thanks to this cheerful sun catcher from Rainy Day Mum. We love how goof-proof (and pretty) this project is!