Summer Activities for Kids: Fun, Creative, and tasty

Summer is here, an is no better time to get kids involved in activities that keep them active, creative, and entertained. From outdoor adventures to indoor crafts, there’s loads to choose from. Being baking obsessed here at Craft & Crumb we've included some our favourite summer baking recipes too. 

Here are our top summer activities for kids..

Outdoor Adventures

1. Nature Scavenger Hunt

Organize a nature scavenger hunt in your garden or a local park. All you need to do is create a list of items for your kids to find, such as different types of leaves, flowers, or insects. Kids love a good hunt and this activity is a great way of getting them outside but also teaching them about the environment around them.

2. Water Balloon Fight

A classic summer favourite, water balloon fights are a fantastic way to cool down on a hot day. Set up teams, fill up a bunch of water balloons, and let the fun begin. You can get water balloons from most big supermarkets but also on Amazon.

3. DIY Obstacle Course

Design an obstacle course using items you have at home and create challenges like jumping, crawling, and balancing. Time each participant and you can add prizes to make it even more fun.

Indoor Crafts

4. DIY Bird Feeders

Creating bird feeders is a fun and educational activity - a great way for kids to learn about different bird species.. All you need is pine cones, peanut butter, and birdseed to make simple bird feeders. Hang them in your garden and the kids will love to watch birds come and visit.

5. Paint and Rock Art

Collect smooth rocks and let your kids paint them in their own design. Kids can decorate their garden with their painted rocks or gift them to friends. 

Educational Activities

7. Reading Challenge

Most local libraries do a summer reading challenge to encourage your kids to read more. You can collect a book and add in the books they have read and what they thought of them… they can then collect a medal and stickers from the library when they have completed their challenge. Reading improves language skills, keeps them away from screens and is a great way of helping with English while they are on holidays.

8. Science Experiments

Simple science experiments can be both educational and lots of fun whilst sparking curiosity. Try making edible slime using our recipe here (LINK) or a volcano with baking soda and vinegar. 

9. Math Games

Turn math into a fun activity with games like counting objects, solving puzzles, or playing board games that involve math skills.

Baking Fun

10. Baking Cookies

Baking is a fantastic way to teach kids about measurements, following instructions, and patience. Our kits make it easy and fun to bake with the kids or follow some of our simple recipes below to get started…

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 110g unsalted butter, softened
• 100g caster sugar
• 100g brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 200g plain flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 170g chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, caster sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in the egg then stir in the vanilla.
4. Add your flour, baking powder and salt to the mixture
5. Stir in the chocolate chips until fully mixed.
6. Roll the dough into balls and place onto a lined baking tray
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned.
8. Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

11. Cupcake or biscuit Decorating

Let the kids be creative and host a cupcake or biscuit decorating playdate with their friends. Bake a batch of plain cupcakes and set up a decorating station with different toppings like buttercream, sprinkles, and sweets. To make this easier you could also buy our mega party supply box with everything you need to bake and decorate biscuits. This activity is perfect for a rainy day and ends with a delicious treat.

12. Homemade Pizza

Making homemade pizza can be a great fun family or playdate activity. Use store-bought or homemade dough, and let each family member pick their toppings. You can also make a biscuit version using our pizza biscuit baking kit 

Simple Pizza Dough Recipe 

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
• 440g plain flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and let stand until frothy, about 5 minutes.
2. Add flour, olive oil, sugar, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough forms.
3. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
5. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
6. Punch down the dough, divide it in half, and shape each half into a ball. Let rest for 10 minutes.
7. Roll out each dough ball into a 12-inch circle and transfer to a pizza pan or baking sheet.
8. Add your desired toppings and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.

Creative Projects

13. DIY Tie-Dye

Tie-dye is a brilliant summer activity that kids of all ages enjoy. All you need are plain white t-shirts, fabric dye, and rubber bands. Follow the instructions on the dye package and let your kids create their own colourful designs – they will love to make and their wear their creations.

14. Puppet Show

Encourage your kids to create their own puppets using socks, paper bags, or old fabric. Once the puppets are ready, help them write a script and put on a puppet show. This activity is a great way to unleash inner creativity and helps with storytelling skills.

15. Garden Planting

Get your kids involved in gardening by planting flowers, herbs, or vegetables. This summer activity is a wonderful way of teaching them about hands-on activity teaching them about plant-life cycles and getting them outdoors.

Conclusion

Summer is a great time for kids to explore new activities, learn new skills, and create lasting memories. Whether it's outdoor adventures, indoor crafts, educational activities, or baking fun there is lots to keep little ones busy over the holidays. By adding baking into your summer plans, you not only provide delicious treats but kids pick up some great new skills along the way. Why not try out these activities and enjoy a fun-filled summer with your kids!  Remember you can always stock up your cupboards for those inevitably rainy days with some of our baking kits for some creative fun in the kitchen..

Happy summer!