Kids will love it! Summer vacation games, recreation, and hands-on activities
Summer vacation feels really long, doesn’t it? Even kids who are happy to have every day off may start to feel their playtime getting a bit monotonous when the break goes on and on.
When they say things like, “I’m tired of going to the pool every day!” or “I’m bored—there’s nothing to do!” it can leave you wondering what to do next.
In this article, we’ve gathered summertime play ideas and activities that kids will love.
If you’re a parent thinking, “What should we do tomorrow…?” please use this as a reference.
From everyday play to activities perfect for special days like during trips, there are plenty of recommendations!
- Play ideas kids can enjoy from 1st to 6th grade [indoors & outdoors]
- Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for summer
- [List] A roundup of games and recreational activities kids love
- [For Kids] Today's Recommended Recreation Idea Collection
- Liven up your children’s club event! A collection of ideas everyone can enjoy
- Games that liven up festivals. Ideas that children can enjoy.
- [Make with Kids] Handmade Outdoor Play Toy Special
- [For Kids] Exciting Class-vs-Class Games: Team Competition Activities
- A big hit at after-school childcare! A special feature on group games and activities you can play without any equipment
- Fun! Spring activities for children: recreation and hands-on play
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- [Summer Vacation Crafts] Not just make-and-done! A collection of practical ideas you can use every day
- [Enjoy Summer to the Fullest] A Roundup of Games and Recreational Activities at the Sea and on the Beach
Kids Will Love It! Summer Vacation Games, Recreational Activities, and Experiences (21–30)
Making a bead coaster
Making beaded coasters is a perfect craft for spending time at home during summer vacation.
It’s also great for summer homework or independent projects! The method is simple: arrange your favorite beads in an aluminum dish so they don’t overlap, then just bake them in the oven at 250°C.
Plastic beads from a 100-yen shop work fine.
The heat melts the beads so they fuse together, creating a clear, sparkly coaster.
Since there will be a melted plastic smell while baking, make sure to ventilate the area well.
The amount of beads and the placement of colors can create many different looks, so your kids are sure to be excited!
clam digging
Although clam digging is often associated with spring, you can actually do it year-round.
The key is to aim for low tide, when the water recedes.
You can take the clams you catch home, or cook and eat them on the spot—it’s great fun.
If the campground is near the sea, it’s highly recommended!
Kids Will Love It! Summer Vacation Games, Recreational Activities, and Experiences (31–40)
home camping
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When you think of summer, camping is a classic outdoor activity.
But if the weather doesn’t cooperate or you have small children, it can be hard to spend the time the way you’d hoped.
So how about trying “at-home camping”? Pitch a tent indoors, grill meat and vegetables on a hot plate, and serve them on paper plates.
At night, use a home planetarium to stargaze.
You could even use sleeping bags and sleep side by side like a family.
With a bit of creativity, you can have a great time right at home.
Water mat play
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♬ The Little Mermaid (Marimba Remix) – Harry Goes Boom!
For summer indoor play, a homemade water mat is recommended.
Prepare a large, clear ziplock bag.
Put beads, small toys, and water inside, then seal the opening and reinforce it with vinyl tape to prevent leaks.
If you want to color the water, add some food coloring.
Jumping on it may cause leaks, so play by sitting and touching it, peeking into the water, or rolling the water mat itself.
Enjoy the cool sensation of the water mat.
Fake snow play
https://www.tiktok.com/@n.annlee321/video/7118699908567256322Introducing “fake snow,” a non-melting snow you can play with even in summer.
There are many types of fake snow products, and most of them only require adding water.
When you add water to the powder that becomes the base of the snow, it expands and turns into fake snow.
You can play with it using sandbox tools, or even make a small snowman.
Add food coloring to enjoy pretending to run a shaved ice stand.
With fake snow, there’s no need to worry about catching a cold, so give it a try!
sleepover
If your child has a close friend, why not try hosting sleepovers at each other’s homes? Bring snacks and toys to play with, eat meals together, and share bath time and bedtime.
Spending an entire day together with a good friend is great fun and will make wonderful memories.
Even in a familiar home, having a friend over can turn it into a special time.
It may be a bit more work for the family when there are more kids around, but through their interactions, you might catch a side of your child that you don’t usually see.
Soap bubble play
Soap bubbles are a classic kids’ pastime.
At 100-yen shops, you can find not only bubble solution but all kinds of blowers—camera-shaped, animal-shaped, sword-shaped, gun-shaped—just choosing one is part of the fun.
When you play in front of your house or at the park during summer vacation, be sure to try bubble play.
Besides simply making bubbles, you can catch the ones that float your way or even pop them on purpose—there are more ways to enjoy them than you might think.
You can make bubble solution by mixing water with dish soap, and you can substitute straws or pipe cleaners for blowers.