5 Great Summer Activities for Kids

For most kids, summer means: no school. Lots of free time to run around outside doing stuff. Here are some of those summer activities for kids.

1. Fishing. As water approaches its maximum seasonal temperature, most fish are now most active. With this rapid metabolism, fish are growing, and perhaps more importantly, eating. So, one of the first summer activities for kids should involve the 3B’s: bait, bobbers, and bluegills.
2. Boating. As long as safety precautions are followed (life jackets, not alone, etc.) just about any watercraft will rank high in activities to do in summer vacation. Fishing boats are a given but kayaks, canoes, even inner tubes can be a “hoot” and one of the classic relatively cheap summer activities for families. Head over to Discover Boating for some additional tips and tricks for keeping your toddlers entertained onboard in 6 Boredom Busters for Kids & Toddlers: Boating Edition.
3. Hiking. Not only is this great for physical fitness but, if you can get kids to listen and pay attention, wildlife viewing can be fascinating. However if they can’t keep quiet enough, use hiking as a way to explore new remote, less pressured, fishing locations.
4. Biking. Another of the most popular summer activities for kids. It also has similar benefits to hiking but it is faster. Fishing gear will need to be pared down significantly and fastened securely if mountain biking to that off-the-beaten path fishing hole.
5. Practice fishing. Whether it is summer activities for kids at home or activities to do in summer vacation, you can pair some basic fishing gear with a hula-hoop, Frisbee, or bucket and create your own kid casting contest. If you do not have a casting plug, remove the hooks off the split rings of an old lure. Pitch, flip, cast overhead, or even set the target under a picnic table (vacant!) and have them try “skipping,” with a side-arm cast, just as you might have to master for casting under a dock or pier. The fun activities for kids can continue in the yard by incorporating different reel types such as spin-cast, spinning, bait caster, or fly-fishing.

Because of the heat, for summer activities for kids, just add water. If you aren’t currently on or near water, be on your way there. Or if it is really hot, as the kids practice their accuracy, timing, and control in casting competitions in the yard, you could attempt to recreate a sudden downpour by incorporating the good old water hose.