Summer Activities for Kids 2026
Summer Activities for Kids (That Won’t Drive You Crazy)
Getting outside is one of the best things you can do for your kids this summer. Fresh air, movement, and time away from screens, it just feels good all around. Now, I know it can be scorching hot depending on where you live. I’m in Texas, so trust me, I get it! The key is getting out before the heat of the day or closer to sunset. Hydration, water activities, shaded areas, and knowing you don’t have to be outside all day are your best tools for surviving the summer heat.
Here’s a big list of ideas, outdoor, indoor, and places to go, to keep the kids busy all summer long!
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
- Splash Pads: Free and so much fun!
- Water Parks
- Pools
- Playgrounds: Another free and easy win
- Chalk on the porch: Draw, play hopscotch, get creative!
- Outdoor Sensory Bins: Sand and a bucket, dirt with monster trucks, a beach Barbie theme… the options are endless
- Water Balloons: Super easy and you can do it right in the backyard!
- Water Toys: Check out benable.com for great options
- Kites: This has been a huge hit for my kids! If there’s even a little wind, go for it
- Walking Trails & Hiking: Great for exercise, and a perfect opportunity to explore with your kids. Ask them questions about what they see along the way
- Beach Day or Lake Day: Pack a portable grill, a blanket, and make it a fun family outing
- Fishing: A classic that everyone should try at least once
- Lemonade Stand: A fun way to get kids thinking about responsibility and money
- Wash the Car Together: Soap, a bucket, and sponges. They’ll love it
- Gardening: All you need is a little soil, a pot, and some seeds. My kids have been growing tomatoes and it has been amazing
- Shaved Ice or Homemade Snow Cones: A refreshing summer treat
- Bike Rides
- Petting Zoo or Local Farm Visit
INDOOR ACTIVITIES
- Cook or Bake Together: This is always such a big hit in our home and can easily stretch into a couple of hours of fun. Have your kids make a list of ingredients (let them draw pictures if they can’t write yet!). Whether you’re shopping at the store or raiding the pantry, let them be involved. We love making homemade pizza and cookies. The kids get to put in the work and enjoy their creations — it’s the best!
- Movie Day:Make it an event! Blankets on the couch, snack bags, and a good movie. We love reusable snack containers, but brown paper bags also do the trick. Load up on your favorite snacks and enjoy the show.
- Build a Fort: My boys do this at least once a week and it keeps them occupied for hours.
- Legos: Sit down together and build a whole Lego city. Kids absolutely love it.
- Crafts: Crafting never gets old and it sparks so much creativity. I find it best to focus on one craft at a time. Michaels has amazing options for kids — kits for everything — and there’s usually a 50% off sale. We scored a paint and clay set for under $5 during their last one!
- Dry Erase Markers and White Boards : Simple, mess-free, and kids love it.
- Family Game Night: We just started this tradition and it has been so fun! Board games, card games, Nintendo Switch, a thrifted Wii, Twister… get competitive and have a blast together.
PLACES TO GO
- Library: A weekly stop for us! Kids can check out their own books, play with toys, and enjoy whatever activities the library offers. Most libraries have a dedicated children’s area and a summer reading program.
- Trampoline Parks: Many trampoline parks offer summer jump programs for kids. It keeps them active, in the AC, and burns off tons of energy. I love going in the evening so they can get it all out before dinner and bedtime. A win is a win!
- Zoo: Look for summer discount days! I prefer a morning trip before it gets too hot (especially here in Texas).
- Aquarium: My kids are absolutely amazed every single time we go. Something about seeing sea life up close never gets old.
- Drive-In Movies: Who doesn’t love a drive-in?!
- Theme Parks: Six Flags, Sea World, Hawaiian Falls, and be sure to check what’s local in your area.
- Museums: The science museum is a family favorite for us.
- Family Fun: Dave & Buster’s, Peter Piper Pizza, Chuck E. Cheese
LOCAL TO DFW
SPLASH PADS:
- Frisco Commons — Frisco, TX
- McCord Splash Pad — Little Elm, TX
- Kids Colony — The Colony, TX
- Heritage Springs Splash Pad — Flower Mound, TX
- California Lane Park — Arlington, TX
- Bartlett Park — Burleson, TX
- Oak Hills Splash Park — Carrollton, TX
- Klyde Warren Park — Dallas, TX
- Halperin Park — Dallas, TX
- Sycamore Spray Grounds — Fort Worth, TX
- Spray Zone — Mesquite, TX
- Capp Smith Park — Watauga, TX
- Bicentennial Park — Southlake, TX
THEME PARKS, ATTRACTIONS & MUSEUMS:
- Universal Kids Resort — Frisco, TX
- Peppa Pig Theme Park — Fort Worth, TX
- Peppa Pig World of Play — Grapevine, TX
- Dig World — Grapevine, TX
- Six Flags Over Texas — Arlington, TX
- Frontiers of Flight Museum — Dallas, TX
- Kid Mania — Frisco, TX
- Ice Skating at Galleria Mall — Dallas, TX
GAMES & ARCADES:
- Nickel Mania — Carrollton, TX
- Activate Games: Plano, Tx | Southlake, Tx
- Round 1 Bowling & Arcade: Grapevine, Tx | Arlington, Tx
- Free Play Arcade: Richardson, Tx
No matter what you end up doing, the goal is simple, making memories with your kids this summer. It doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate. Sometimes the best moments are the ones in the backyard with water balloons and a whole lot of laughter. You’ve got this, mama!
