When school ends and summer break begins, many families find their schedules filling up quickly with activity after activity to keep the kids busy. After a while, all of those summer extracurricuclars can start to add up. Here are ten easy, every day, and totally free activities you can do as a family in those quiet moments between camp, traveling, or catching up on your summer reading: The best part about this list? All of these activities will help develop your family's sense of hakarat hatov, recognizing the good.
Go on a Play Date Outside
![Children Sitting in Grass](/getmedia/27f9ba68-8345-4a05-b9e8-4a6a2483b4bd/iStock-882830614.jpg)
Meet up at a local park or garden. Set a summer goal to visit every playground in your neighborhood or city by the end of the summer.
Have a Water Fight
![Girl Running Through Rain](/getmedia/5cbeb68a-b23c-416d-b056-8114a6fadf0a/iStock-639928070.jpg)
Fill up some buckets, grab some spray bottles or squirt guns, and get ready to splash, splash, splash! The best part about a water fight? On a hot day, everyone wins!
Build a Fort in the Backyard with Family or Friends
![Girl in Backyard Fort](/getmedia/5aec4acf-5cd6-4873-b40b-02a34da03f9c/iStock-167644163.jpg)
Or, if you don't have a backyard, head to the living room and make one.
Ride Bikes
![Adult and Child Bike Riding](/getmedia/33d1da3b-392e-47a5-abff-839330a60a9b/iStock-902827530.jpg)
You'll get some exercise and get to take a tour of your neighborhood.
Play Outdoor Games Like Tag or Hide-and-seek
![Adult Looking Around Tree at Child](/getmedia/502458bf-c07b-4866-bab6-08101ca5fb72/iStock-85406350.jpg)
Need some ideas? Here are seven outdoor activities that also keep kids sharp between school terms.
Climb Trees
![Kids in Trees](/getmedia/c1b69790-0903-40af-8202-23714b39f44f/iStock-170450640.jpg)
Or spread out a blanket and lay in the shade. Don't forget your copy of Thank You, Trees.
Make Mud Pies or Sand Castles
![Kids Playing in Mud](/getmedia/81fd8710-3a4e-4a7d-8ae7-7cca0761096c/iStock-855305322.jpg)
Or dig in the garden -- just go ahead and get your hands dirty.
Pick Flowers
![Girl Picking Flowers](/getmedia/0ba76066-80bf-438e-8133-91113840e238/iStock-693023964.jpg)
Make a pretty bouquet for your Shabbat table!
Eat Ice Cream
![Kids eating Ice Cream](/getmedia/b83c15f9-62b3-4f6e-aa5f-b00a058e89b5/iStock-950272274.jpg)
Or try making one of these cool treats.
Blow Bubbles
![Family Blowing Bubbles](/getmedia/15d3c4c7-a193-479a-833d-6143e804867a/iStock-672386182.jpg)
No matter what age you are, blowing bubbles is always fun. See who can make the biggest one.
More
Summer Ideas:
10 Kid-Friendly Cities to Visit On Your Summer Road Trip
Summer Reading Tips
Summer Travel Tips
Easy Activities:
15 Boredom Busters For Days When It's Too Hot to Go Outside
5 Super Easy No-Prep Activities for Toddlers
15 Unplugged Ideas for Shabbat
Mitvah-a-Day Printable
What are your favorite summer activities? Share with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using #pjlibrary
June 6, 2018