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
- [Summer Vacation Crafts] Not just make-and-done! A collection of practical ideas you can use every day
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- [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, recreation, and experiences (51–60)
Crawfish fishing
Instead of fishing for fish, we catch crayfish.
Crayfish hide in gaps between rocks and the like.
They’re omnivores and will eat almost anything, but dried squid is often used as bait.
Aim for the moment when they grab the bait with their claws—but be careful, as their claws are strong.
If you have small children, using a net to catch them is a good idea.
sledding
Summer is so hot that it makes you want to enjoy some cool activities, right? Wouldn’t it be amazing if you could play in the snow during summer? Believe it or not, there’s a place called Snow Land that can make that dream come true! Sledding on snow during the hot season is a lot of fun.
And of course, you can enjoy all kinds of snow play like snowball fights, so try spending the whole day there.
Tree climbing (climbing trees)
Does tree climbing just mean climbing trees? Not exactly—it might be a bit different from what you imagine.
Unlike traditional tree climbing where you use branches for handholds and footholds, this involves wearing a safety harness and ascending with specialized ropes.
With the harness, you can go up and down more safely than climbing without any gear.
Even children who are shorter and find it hard to reach branches can easily enjoy a tree-climbing experience thanks to the ropes!
Parasailing
What is parasailing, which follows parachuting and paragliding? Parasailing involves attaching a round parachute and being towed by a boat to fly over the sea.
Since you’re pulled by the boat, you won’t drift off to odd places and can enjoy it safely.
We usually enjoy the ocean by going into the water, but taking in the scenery from the sky makes for a great summer vacation memory.
Treasure hunt game in the pool
Many adults probably remember doing stone-picking during swimming class, right? It’s the game where you dive underwater, open your eyes to look for stones, and the person who collects the most wins.
Here’s a treasure hunt game that adapts that idea, and you can play it in a home pool, too.
First, fill the pool with water and drop in small toys or gems.
At the start signal, everyone searches for the “winning” toys, and the person who collects the most the fastest wins.
If you’re playing at home, the pool is likely small, so try floating water balloons or super balls on the surface to make the toys harder to spot!
bouldering
Bouldering, which became an official Olympic event at the Tokyo Olympics.
Facilities where you can easily try bouldering have appeared even in city centers, making it a sport you can enjoy casually.
You climb the variously shaped holds on the wall in order, following the numbered sequence.
It looks simple at first glance, but it’s a challenging sport that engages not only your body but also your mind.
Still, you won’t understand the thrill until you experience it yourself! Why not give it a try at least once to enhance your enjoyment of the Olympics?
Boating
If you’re looking for somewhere to go in the summer, why not try a place where you can ride boats? In the sweltering heat, water activities help you feel cool, and the kids are sure to have a blast.
“Boating” can mean lots of things—floating down a river in an inflatable raft, going on a cruise, and more—so choose the style you like.
Russian roulette
Some of you may have tried Russian roulette with sweets: they’re supposed to be filled with sweet cream, but one of them is spicy.
But have you heard of “Russian Nurette”? First, you put on a helmet with a water tank attached.
Then you pull out the rods sticking out from the tank one by one.
One of those rods acts as a plug that releases the water from the tank.
If you pull that one, the person wearing the helmet gets their head soaked.
It’s perfect for summer fun!
Factory tour
I’m sure many of you went on factory tours as part of school field trips.
But did you know that there are plenty of facilities you can visit on your own, as long as you make a reservation? You can enjoy them indoors without the heat, and depending on the factory, there are places where you can try hands-on activities.
An ice cream factory, for example, would be a big hit with kids.
With the long summer vacation, there will probably be times when you get tired of pools and water play.
At times like that, how about taking a factory tour to have fun while learning something new? You might even find ideas for an independent research project!
Underwater Drawing Showdown
These days, you can buy waterproof notepads and pens that let you write even underwater.
This game is an “Underwater Drawing Showdown” that uses those innovative products! Choose two people to draw and one person to be the judge.
Then, underwater, each artist draws the prompt, and the judge decides which drawing best matches it.
The person whose drawing the judge approves wins! Since this game is played while submerged, the drawing time lasts only “as long as you can hold your breath underwater.” It looks like lung capacity might matter more than artistic skill!