Andie Summers’ Screen-Free Summer Activities for Kids: Outside Family Fun Edition
Make this summer the best one yet. Get your kids away from the screens and make memories that don’t require wifi!
Summer used to mean bike rides with friends, running through sprinklers, and hanging out until the streetlights came on. Now? It feels like we’re in a never-ending battle with screens instead of outside family fun. If you’ve heard “I’m bored” one too many times—and you're this close to pulling your hair out, you’re not alone.
We've put together a list of screen-free fun to get your kids moving, making, exploring, and using their imagination this summer. These activities will give them the chance to use their brains, their hands, and rediscover how great it feels to just play.
Outside Family Fun
- Go on a Bug Hunt
- Introducing your kids to nature's creepy-crawlers early will save you from screaming kids every time they see a spider! Starfish Blog has a great printable scavenger hunt to get your started.
- Create Sidewalk Chalk Art
- Make a picture, spell your name, or leave positive messages for all to see. But don't forget to do it all over again if the rain washes it away - endless outside family fun! Here is an easy recipe to make your own chalk.
- Camp Out in the Backyard
- What a great way to get the family together in a totally different atmosphere - yet still close to home. Dig out that dusty old tent and sleeping bags, grab your favorite snacks, and talk the night away!
- Movie Night Under the Stars
- There's nothing better for a kid than staying up past your bedtime while eating popcorn and watching your favorite movie. Well, maybe what would make it better is doing it outside! Home projectors are super affordable and easy to use. Just hang up a sheet or use the side of your house and you're in business!
- Visit a New Playground
- You don't have to break the bank to give your kids a new experience. Just drive them to a playground they've never visited before! And don't forget to use the time in the car on the way home to talk about what they loved and how things worked. (Or just let them nap)
This summer, let’s trade pixels for playtime. Giving your kids a break from screens isn’t just about limiting tech, it’s about opening the door to imagination, movement, laughter, and real connection. So unplug, step outside, and make this a summer they’ll never forget. The kind of summer filled with sunshine, scraped knees, and stories that don’t need Wi-Fi to be worth telling.
