If you’re anything like me, the start of summer brings both excitement and a touch of panic. We’re glad for a break from school schedules, but with five kids ranging from toddler to teen, and Florida’s sweltering heat, figuring out how to keep everyone entertained without screens becomes a real challenge.
Over the years, I’ve learned to get creative. Here are some of our favorite screen-free summer activities for kids, perfect for staying cool, connected, and off the screens, even when it feels like you’re living inside a sauna.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you choose to click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Screen-Free Summer Activities for Kids
Rotate “Zones” Indoors
Create a few designated activity zones in your home. This helps give structure to long days and keeps things fresh. Rotate every 30–45 minutes so no one gets bored.
- Creative Zone: Drawing, coloring, origami, bracelet-making, painting.
- Quiet Zone: Puzzles, reading, audiobooks, or LEGO.
- Movement Zone: Indoor hopscotch, yoga, dance party, or a mini obstacle course using pillows and chairs.
Indoor Water Play
Florida heat can make mid-day outdoor play dangerous, but water is your friend! If you have a covered lanai or garage:
- Water tables, splash bins, or buckets with measuring cups and toy boats
- Water experiments for older kids (sink or float, ice races)
- Creative bath time—glow sticks, bath paint sticks, bath bombs
Family Projects That Feel Like Play
Choose fun goals to work on all summer long:
- Build a Fort Village (indoors or out)
- Summer Baking Challenge (teens can take the lead!)
- Create a Family Time Capsule to open in five years
Nature Without the Burn
The heat is brutal mid-day, but mornings and evenings are magical:
- Sunrise nature walks (bring bug spray!)
- Sunset beach visits for picnics or shelling
- Porch gardening: Let kids water, weed, and check progress daily
Community = Sanity
Check out cool, air-conditioned local options:
- Library story times and craft sessions
- Vacation Bible School at local churches
- Trampoline parks or indoor gyms with weekday specials
Weekly “No Screen” Challenges
Make screen-free living a fun game:
- “No Screen Tuesday”: Scavenger hunts, board games, or crafts
- “Mystery Bag Monday”: Kids get random supplies to invent something
- Simple rewards: Choose dinner, stay up late, earn a treat
Let Teens Take the Lead
Older kids can guide a story time, craft, or sibling activity once a week. It gives them leadership experience, and you a moment of peace.
Why Screen-Free Summer Activities for Kids Matter
These activities aren’t just about avoiding screens, they’re about connection, creativity, and memory-making. Even if a show or tablet sneaks in here and there (because we’re human!), it’s the intention that counts.
Let’s make this summer one our kids remember, for the fun, not just the flicks.
With love (and a fan blowing at full speed),
Eva
Need Rainy Day activities? Check out some ideas here!
Get this list as a free printable PDF here!
Great ideas! We also dont care to do much screentime. Sometimes there is the initial resistance to get everyone outdoors but then once we are all out it’s easier and we spend many great hours outdoors together!