10 Summer Outdoor Activities

10 Summer Outdoor Activities

The kids are finally out of school and enjoying their playtime outside.

I know the “I’m bored” responses are going to be headed my way soon… so I thought I’d share a few summer outdoor activities I suggest to my own kids to get them off the couch.

EmmaSwing

1. Swing: This can be a tradition swing on a swingset, or consider fashioning an old tire and rope to a tree, or even just a rope hanging from a tree with a few large knots on the end. Swinging is fun and good exercise!

2. Skip Rope: You can find skipping ropes for as little as $1 at the Dollar Tree. Buy a few, when the kids are finished skipping they can use them for imaginative play. We used to put them in circles and pretend they were islands floating on lava.

3. Ride a bike: Two wheels, three wheels, four wheels… it doesn’t matter. Riding a bike to a friends house is exercise, gets them there faster and helps their coordination.

EthanTree

4. Climb a tree: Yep! No accessories needed, except maybe a pair of shoes. Heck, my kids like to climb them barefoot. It’s another physical activity that is fun, challenging and you can make a game out of who can climb higher or faster. Just make sure the tree is not near power lines and you discuss how high is too high.

5. Roll down the hill: My friends and I used to have races down the hill. Lay sideways and let the tumbles begin. It sounds painful as an adult, but I used to have a blast doing it!

EmmaPoGo

6. Pogo: I never got to use one as a child, but my kids have loved their pogo sticks. This one costs a bit more than $1, but you can find them used on swaps or garage sales. It’s a great investment… it’s a fun physical activity that teaches balance and core strength. Emma can bounce for a long time now and giggles when I challenge her to time limits.

7. Sidewalk chalk: I give my children a box of sidewalk chalk and let them decorate the entire driveway. This will entertain them for an entire afternoon and also attracts the neighbor children. You can also use the chalk to create new games like Hop Scotch and Four Square. Check Pinterest for homemade recipes, the Dollar Tree or even Amazon for affordable bulk boxes.

EthanSlide

8. Slide: A traditional slide can be turned into a fun summer activity with a simple water hose or sprinkler. You can also create your own slip ‘n’ slide with cut up trash bags, tarps or anything plastic and a hose. Get creative… it can be done cheaply!

9. Hula Hoop: Hula Hoops are inexpensive (I just purchased 4 at $1.50 each) and can be used for more than twirling around your neck, waist, arms or legs. Hula Hoop contests are fun, but think out of the box. You can play the island/lava game with them, you can do bean bag tosses, tie them together to create a frame for a fort or roll them down the hill.

10. Balls: Balls are a staple at our house. From Four Square in the driveway with the sidewalk chalk above, to rolling it back and forth while sitting on the ground, hot potato, basketball, soccer, baseball and more. Balls are as versatile as your imagination and can be fairly inexpensive.

If you have a competitive family, you can organize a summer family tournament. Whether it’s volleyball, basketball, or soccer, you can divide yourselves into teams and have a blast. You can make custom tees for the teams and get a few friends or other relatives to officiate all matches to make it even more competitive. You’ll have a good time with your family, and it’s a great way to teach your kids how to be good team players.

Summer fun is as limitless as your imagination. Getting our children to enjoy the outdoors is fabulous for their fitness as well as soaking in the essential Vitamin D from the sun. Don’t forget the sunblock to avoid harmful rays, though!

summeractivites

(The photos above were shot during an afternoon of play with my kidlets. Clothing provided by Gymboree.com.)

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Comments

  1. I love Gymboree but don’t get there as much as I would like. My boys love their clothes! They are so durable and cute on them! I could see Riley in the Deep Sea Explorer set and Gavin the Shark Point set.

  2. Cynthia R says

    I would love to get my niece the Brushstroke Dress.

  3. Lilia Kharabora says

    Bright Brushstroke Dress for my daughter. 18 months 🙂

  4. md Kennedy says

    I learned you can get some stylin’ boy graphic tees for $10!

  5. andrea v says

    I would love to get some of the graphic tees and shorts for my boys. They have adorable pjs too!

  6. Jessamine D. says

    I like their $8 dresses. I think those are a good deal! 🙂

  7. dannyscotland says

    I love that they have long sleeved polo shirts. My daughter will be attending a school next year that has a uniform, and one of the rules is that they can wear polo shirts, any color. It’s hard to find purple ones of any sleeve length, but Gymboree has a short sleeved one! I also love the watercolor flowers dress and the starfish necklace t-shirt.

  8. erin dear ( says

    I would love to have the Cheetah Print Pajama Gown for my daughter

  9. Michelle C says

    I like the Geometric Flower Romper for my youngest daughter. Thanks for the chance to win!
    mrsmchappell at gmail dot com

  10. shelly peterson says

    I like the boys Striped Henley Tee with the jean shorts and Dino Laceless Sneakers

  11. Sarah L says

    They have Music Classes
    Enhance your child’s development and love of music through song, dance, movement games and instruments. With an array of styles, our music classes help children explore the power of rhythm, melody, tonality and beat while nurturing key physical, social and intellectual skills.
    Thanks for the contest.

  12. April says

    I want the Bright Brushstroke Dress!

  13. Nicole Vosburgh says

    My son would love the Dino Polo Shirt!

  14. Kelly D says

    I like the Embroidered Chambray Dress for my daughter.

  15. Amanda Sakovitz says

    i like the button front bubble shorts

  16. Jeanna says

    I really like their boy’s uniform shorts. They wash SO well and hold up for the entire school year!

  17. I love the Patterned Rompers!

  18. I like the biking adventersaurus tee

  19. I love the Watercolor Floral Dress and Wavy Chevron Dress. Very cute!

  20. Nancy says

    I like the Patriotic Dots and Stripes Dress. So cute!

  21. Tara Liebing says

    I learned that Boys Graphic Tees are on sale for $10.

  22. Tiffany Schmidt says

    I love all the summer dresses and rompers. Even better that they’re on sale right now!

  23. Tara says

    I like these for my boys! Tropical Ripstop Cargo Shorts

  24. Jennifer says

    I would like the chevron bow tank in warm colors stripe for my daugther!!

  25. Cheryl Billings says

    I love the Wavy Chevron Dress.

  26. BeckyM says

    I like the Boys Stars and Stripes Polo.

  27. BeckyM says

    I love Camping and Swimming with my boys!

  28. Cheryl Billings says

    I love to take them swimming!

  29. Thomas Murphy says

    I want the Painted Rhino Tee

  30. I saw their classes on the site. Might have to see what they have to offer in our area for some summer activities!

  31. Rebecca Orr says

    I love all the pretty dresses. My daughter would look great in the floral dress and the embroidered tassel dress.

  32. Candice says

    I would love to get the Tropical Splash and Gator Gear outfits for my nephew.

  33. Janet W. says

    I really like their Backpacking T-Rex Tee. My grandson would love it!

  34. Janet W. says

    Our favorite outdoor summer activity is to blow bubbles in the backyard!

  35. heather eg kaufman says

    I like the Tropical Splash outlet.

  36. Courtnie says

    We like to go camping!

  37. Courtnie says

    I really like the Brushstroke Dress

  38. Tracy Pryor says

    We look going to the beach.

  39. kelly says

    I like the bright stripes swimsuit

  40. Jessie C. says

    We like swimming.

  41. Jessie C. says

    I would like to get Brushstroke Dress for DDs.

  42. Cynthia R says

    we like to blow bubbles, write on chalk, and kick the ball around.

  43. Christina Foley says

    I love the Tiered Eyelet Bubble and the Water Garden Floral Dress …. gorgeous colors!

  44. Christina Foley says

    One of our favorite things to do during the summer is to go to a state park … we can float on the river, take a hike on one of the trails, have a picnic and then hit the springs!

  45. Sue Ellison says

    I would like to have the Ready to Indigo outfit for my daughter.

  46. Denise S says

    I like the Cheetah Print Pajama Gown.

  47. Tarah says

    I learned that they have $10 graphic t-shirts

  48. Tarah says

    I like going to the local splash pad

  49. Jennifer Tilson says

    I’d love to get the Striped Henley Tee and some shorts for my son.

  50. Jennifer Tilson says

    My kids love chasing bubbles and playing in the sprinkler.

  51. Katherine says

    I love this dress Watercolor Floral Dress

  52. D Schmidt says

    Visited the site and I really like Every Day Is An Adventure Tee and Cargo Ripstop Shorts

  53. Cynthia C says

    I like the Bow Shoulder Tank for my niece.

  54. Cynthia C says

    We like to spend time at the beach in the summer.

  55. Amanda Alvarado says

    I love the Colorblocked Maxi Dress

  56. Amanda Alvarado says

    We like to go swimming!

  57. suzanne says

    I like the Little Clover Girl outfit.

  58. Lilia Kharabora says

    Most def the pool and sprinklers. 🙂 Thank you for this chance.

  59. Seyma Shabbir says

    I love the Keep It Cool Shortie Two-Piece Gymmies®

  60. Patricia Wojnar Crowley says

    I want the Ruffle Elephant Dress for my niece!

  61. shelly peterson says

    we like to go to the park or just stay home and do sidewalk chalk and bubbles

  62. Emily Morelli says

    I like the Colorblocked Maxi Dress for my daughter.

  63. sherry blamer says

    I love the mermaid pajama gown

  64. sherry blamer says

    I love taking walks to the park with my daughter and play in the yard.

  65. lori clark says

    I like the color blocked maxi dress…that is so pretty!

  66. mell says

    I would stock up on boy graphic tees for $10

  67. Anne Perry says

    I learned that the sleep wear starts at $6.99

  68. Gina M says

    I would love this outfit for my son–http://www.gymboree.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446035202&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306287247&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395917465&bmUID=1401974525127&productSizeSelected=0&fit_type=

    Entered the rafflecopter form as “Wild Orchid”

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

  69. Jeanna says

    My favorite activity would have to be going on our family bike rides! We all really enjoy them!

  70. Monique Rizzo says

    I love the Brushstroke dress.

  71. April says

    The post is amazing! Great job!

  72. angie pruden says

    I love the graphic t’s my son would love them too

  73. angie pruden says

    we love going to the beach and building sand castles

  74. Sue E says

    I think children will have a blast with the Samba Set with CD. Fun for outside or inside the house.

  75. Devon F says

    Dino-Sweet Set is so adorable!!

  76. Devon F says

    Playing at the park & riding bikes

  77. Sue E says

    Our favorite outdoor summer activites are swimming, hiking, camping, playing soccer, softball, badmitton, minature golf, tec.

  78. Kristen says

    I like the Watercolor Floral Dress.

  79. Kristen says

    We like going swimming.

  80. Brynn says

    My daughter would love the Kitty Glasses Shortie Two-Piece Gymmies

  81. Brynn says

    my kids love going to the local water park throughout summer

  82. Colleen Maurina says

    I like their Boys Plaid Adventures outfit.

  83. Colleen Maurina says

    Favorite Summer activities are swimming and visiting our local zoo.

  84. I love to go swimming with the grandkids and taking them for walks on the trails of our local parks.

  85. I love taking my kids to our local splash pad during the hot summer months!

  86. Tamar says

    I like the Chambray Pinwheel Dress.

  87. Laura says

    I adore the girls brushstroke dress! So pretty!

  88. Adrienne Gordon says

    Loving the summer outfits

  89. erin dear ( says

    My kids love swimming, camping and playing outside at home and at a nearby playground

  90. Heather B says

    I would love the Mission Control Outift for my little man!

  91. amy rouse says

    Biking Adventure-Saurus Tee would be great for my grandson Eli

  92. Christina Gould says

    I’d love to have the Ruffle Bow Shorts. They are so colorful. Thanks for the giveaway!

  93. T Michelle Trump says

    I love the wavy chevron dress for my niece!

  94. T Michelle Trump says

    We love to set up a slip n slide and have water balloon fights

  95. Stephanie Hirsch says

    I love the Brushstroke Dress, its so cute, I’d love to get it for my little girl.

  96. Stephanie Hirsch says

    Our favorite summer activity is going to the community pool nearby!

  97. nicole says

    love the Pretty and Splashy swimsuit

  98. nicole says

    we love to go to the $1 movies and have a picnic in the park after

  99. lissa crane says

    I would love to get the Brushstroke Dress for my little girl to add to her summer outfits! We have lots of special events to go to so this will be perfect!

  100. lissa crane says

    We love our little blow up pool in the Summer! Maybe someday we will get a real one!

  101. Megan Parsons says

    We like to go to the lake during the summer!

  102. Megan Parsons says

    I like the checkered shirt for boys and the camp tee!

  103. I’d like the seashell bubble one pc outfit for newborns.

  104. soha molina says

    I like Dino Striped Socks Two-Pack

  105. soha molina says

    We like swimming.

  106. Brittney House says

    I really like the Bright Brushstroke Dress.

  107. Lisa Jones says

    I really like that they are having a sale right now and a $30 enrollment bonus on their credit card, that makes for a lot of really cheap, super adorable kids clothes!

  108. Lisa Jones says

    One of our favorite summer activities is to go hiking and nature walking, staying active while still keeping our brain growing c=

  109. Tara says

    We love to go swimming!

  110. tina reynolds says

    I really like the Painted Stripe Dress for my daughter carly

  111. Hailey Bond says

    Definitely need the Soft turtle footed one piece for my baby!

  112. Hailey Bond says

    We love using sidewalk chalk and swimming!

  113. jillian warner says

    that gymboree has great clothes

  114. Betty B. says

    I would love the King of the Jungle outfit!

  115. Betty B. says

    My favorite outdoor activity with the kids is water guns! Its a blast me and hubby get involved too!

  116. Nicole C. says

    I like the Ombre Halter Dress.

  117. Nicole C. says

    We love to go swimming in the summer.

  118. Heidi Daily says

    I like the Painting Al Fresco baby girl outfit.

  119. Sarah VM says

    I would love the Embroidered Chambray Dress for my daughter.

  120. mell says

    Favorite summer activities are having backyard parties and outdoor movie nights.

  121. I like the Rhino Kick Shortie Two-Piece Gymmies® .

  122. nannypanpan says

    I want the ruffle elephant dress

  123. Rosanne says

    I like the Wanna Have Sun tee for girls

  124. Rosanne says

    We like going to Magic Water Waterpark

  125. Priscilla Benavides says

    I learned that they have sleep wear for only $6.99!

  126. Priscilla Benavides says

    We like going bike riding!

  127. Shawna O says

    I love Gymboree because they have such cute and affordable kids clothing. I especially would love the Cargo Active Pants and the Drawstring Cargo Shorts for my youngest son! Thanks for the great giveaway!

  128. Shawna O says

    My kids and I love to walk down to the American River and find a great spot in the grass to have a picnic and enjoy nature!

  129. Sabrina says

    I would like to get my son the white linen shirt, and my daughter the brush stroke dress!

  130. Misha Estrada says

    I like the Biking Adventure-Saurus Tee.

  131. i like the metallic corsage top! 🙂 thanks so much for the giveaway!

  132. I love all the cute swimwear they have to offer for girls! We spend a lot of time outside in the pool (our favorite outdoor activity!)

  133. Lisa V. says

    I like the Colorblocked Ruffle Dress…so adorable.

  134. Jillian T says

    I would love the Little Beachcomber outfit for my nephew.

  135. Kim says

    I love the seersucker sweetie outfit!

  136. Chavonne H says

    I learned that if I sign up to the emails and get 20% off my next
    purchase and FREE shipping on $50 or more. I also like that the Bright & Beachy outfits are 40% off.

  137. kristy thiel says

    I love taking my kids to the beach!

  138. kristy thiel says

    I really like the solid skirt in purple!

  139. amy pugmire says

    I like the Dots Ponte Shift Dress

  140. amy pugmire says

    I love to take my kids to the splash pad.

  141. my kids like to go to the park during Summer!!

  142. Sarah Elyce says

    I like the Scalloped Dot Dress.

  143. Sarah Elyce says

    Water balloon fights would be one of my favorite summer activities with kids. Something so fun about it.

  144. Danielle Papsis says

    I like the Patriotic to Boot outfit.

  145. Jill Myrick says

    I love the Wildlife Expert outfit for baby boys from Gymboree.

    jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

  146. Kathleen says

    Geometric Flower Romper is cute

    kport207 at gmail dot com

  147. Jill Myrick says

    We love spending the day at the lake swimming, fishing and cooking out.

    jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

  148. Dawn Keenan says

    My grandson would look perfect in the Patchwork Breeze outfit for boys. I really like that.

  149. Mihaela Day says

    I love the Ruffle Elephant Dress…

  150. Molly Capel says

    The Summer Stroll outfit is so cute!

  151. Karen Drake says

    I would like the Glitter French Bulldog Tee and Bow Skort for my daughter.

  152. Karen Drake says

    My favorite summer activity with my kids is going swimming at the lake.

  153. Ceinwyn says

    The grill master tank is pretty cute!

  154. Ceinwyn says

    I love to play in the kiddie pool and do water activities with my kids. The baby is a total water addict!

  155. Tabitha says

    I love the Bow Shoulder Smock Top .
    I love all their girls clothing.

  156. Dandi D says

    I really like the “Rock the Waves” outfit for boys.

  157. Dandi D says

    My son is a big help to me in the garden all summer.

  158. Sarah L says

    Swimming is the number one sport in the summer.
    Thanks for the contest.

  159. Tabathia B says

    I like the Floral Bow Dress

  160. Tammie Venne says

    I love the sailor shorts, soo cute

  161. Seyma Shabbir says

    We love to turn on the water hose and get wet, PLay soccer, go to the park!

  162. Peggy Rydzewski says

    Ballpark Hero

  163. christine jessamine says

    I love the newborn Daddy’s Best Buddy Bodysuit

  164. christine jessamine says

    we love to go swimming and hiking

  165. I like the shark patrol outfit

  166. Anything that involves getting wet. It is really hot here in AZ so we do the splash pad, water play at home, and pools.

  167. Jennifer Reed says

    Something I really liked from Gymboree is the girl’s Watercolor Floral Skort with the Howling Glitter Wolf Tee
    and the matching headband.

  168. Jennifer Reed says

    One of my favorite outdoor summer activities with kids is playing miniature golf.

  169. Crystal F says

    I love the Floral Gem Tankini. Thank you!!

  170. Crystal F says

    Catching lightning bugs with my girls. thank you!!

  171. barbara n says

    As a new first time grandma to a beautiful baby girl I love that they carry lots of gifts, basics and outfits!

  172. barbara n says

    We love to go to the park and play on the playground!

  173. Anne says

    I think the Kitty Glasses Shortie Two-Piece Gymmies pajama set is adorable!

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