Are you looking for some cool ways to keep kids entertained all summer long? These hands-on, creative, and totally engaging activities will make their summer holidays feel like an epic adventure! From crafting bird feeders for feathered friends to designing custom football fan gear and from the thrill of bubble Olympics to a magical backyard camping, there’s something here for every young adventurer in your programme.
Take a look at our lineup of some fun activities that mix creativity, play, and a little bit of nature—perfect for creating memories that last a lifetime!
1. DIY Bird Feeders
Get kids in touch with nature by making homemade bird feeders.
Kids will love crafting bird feeders and watching feathered friends enjoy their creations. It’s a hands-on way to learn about wildlife and appreciate the outdoors.
What You’ll Need:
- Pine cones or empty toilet paper rolls
- Peanut butter or honey (check for allergies first)
- Birdseed
Activity Setup:
- Have kids spread peanut butter or honey on the pine cones or rolls.
- Roll them in birdseed, making sure they’re well-covered.
- Tie a string to each feeder and let kids hang them outside or take them home.
It’s a fun, meaningful way to give back to nature, and kids will be excited to see birds visiting their feeders.
2. Football Fever: Create Your Own Fan Gear
With football season underway, it’s the perfect time to get kids excited about supporting their favourite teams! This fun activity lets kids design their own football supporter gear, from T-shirts to flags, to proudly represent the teams they love.
What You’ll Need:
- Plain T-shirts in various colours.
- Alternatively, use fabric for flags or banners (available at shops like Hobbycraft, Kmart).
- Fabric paints in different colours, paintbrushes, stencils, and aprons.
Activity Setup:
- Painting Station – Set up an indoor space with tables covered for painting and plenty of aprons or old shirts for protection.
- Choose Colours and Teams – Offer T-shirts or flags in a range of colours representing popular football teams or let kids choose their own combinations.
- Get Creative – Kids can use fabric paint to add team logos, mascots, and even write the name and number of their favourite players. Encourage them to add supportive messages, symbols, or anything they love about football!
By the end of the activity, kids will have their own custom-made supporter gear, perfect for cheering on their team this season. It’s a fantastic way to blend creativity and football spirit!
3. Bubble Olympics
Host a bubble-blowing contest where kids compete to blow the biggest, longest-lasting bubble. You can also have bubble relay races, bubble popping challenges, and bubble art contests using coloured bubble mixtures.
What’s Needed:
- Bubble solution (store-bought or homemade)
- Bubble wands (different sizes and shapes)
- Coloured bubble mixtures (optional for art contests)
- Plastic or paper cups for holding the solution
- Straws or bubble blowers
- Tape or chalk to mark race lanes (for bubble relay races)
- A large open space for blowing bubbles
- Towels or wipes for cleaning up excess bubble solution
- Containers for “bubble popping” challenges (e.g., small balloons, net bags)
How to Do It:
- Set Up the Space:
Choose an open outdoor space where kids have plenty of room to blow bubbles without worrying about space constraints. Lay out towels or markers for each child to stand at. If doing bubble relay races, use tape or chalk to create designated race lanes. - Bubble-Blowing Contest:
Each child gets a turn to blow the biggest bubble they can. Use regular bubble wands or straws to blow the bubbles. A fun twist can be using a variety of bubble wands (heart-shaped, giant rings, etc.) for added challenge and creativity. Award points for the biggest and longest-lasting bubbles. You can measure the size using a simple tape measure or mark a spot where the bubble popped. - Bubble Relay Races:
For this team challenge, set up a relay race course where kids have to blow a bubble and walk it to the finish line without popping it. The team that finishes first, with the most bubbles still intact, wins. Make the race more exciting by including obstacles that kids need to dodge while blowing their bubbles. - Bubble Popping Challenge:
Hang small balloons filled with air (or use net bags) that kids have to pop by blowing bubbles at them. Each child gets a turn to try and pop as many balloons or bags as possible. The challenge could be timed to add more excitement and intensity. - Bubble Art Contest:
Create a colourful twist to your Bubble Olympics by having kids blow bubbles using different coloured bubble mixtures. Set up large white paper or cardboard as “canvas” for kids to blow coloured bubbles onto. They can create designs, patterns, or random art using their bubbles as brushes. Award prizes for the most creative or colourful bubble art. - Clean-Up:
Have towels or wipes available for the kids to clean their hands, faces, and any mess made during the competition. Ensure you have a designated area to clean up any excess bubble solution to avoid slippery spots.
4. Simple Kite Making and Flying
What’s Needed:
- Craft supplies (sticks, string, tissue paper, glue, tape)
- Kite-shaped templates (optional)
- Scissors
- Kite tails (optional)
How to Do It:
- Make the Frame: Use sticks to create a cross-shaped frame (vertical and horizontal). Secure with tape.
- Add the Kite Body: Cut tissue paper or fabric into a kite shape and glue it to the frame. Let kids decorate it.
- Attach the Tail (Optional): Add a colourful tail for decoration and stability using fabric or ribbon.
- Fix the String: Tie the kite string to the top of the frame through a small hole.
Once the kites are ready, head outdoors on a breezy day and let kids run and fly their kites. See whose kite stays in the air longest!
5. Garden Exploration: Learn about Trees, Plants, animals and insects
What’s Needed:
- A garden or outdoor space
- A simple guidebook or printed sheet of local plants and trees (optional)
- Magnifying glasses (for curious kids)
- A notebook and crayons for drawing
How to Do It:
- Take the kids to a garden or park and encourage them to explore the different trees, plants, flowers, and insects they see.
- Show them how to identify different plants by their leaves, flowers, or bark. You can use a simple guidebook or printed sheet with local species to help them recognise the different plants.
- Let them use magnifying glasses to closely inspect textures, colours, and patterns on leaves, petals, and tree trunks.
- Encourage kids to draw what they see in their notebooks, capturing the plants and trees in their own way.
- Ask fun questions like, "Can you find a tree with smooth bark?" or "Which flower smells the sweetest?"
- If you have access to a garden with fruit or vegetables, show them how things grow and explain how plants help the environment.
This hands-on activity connects kids with nature, encourages them to explore their surroundings, and teaches them about the importance of plants and trees in our ecosystem!
6. Rock Painting
What’s Needed:
- Smooth, clean rocks (from the backyard or a nearby park)
- Acrylic paints or markers
- Paintbrushes
- A cup of water and paper towels for cleaning
- Optional: Clear sealant spray (to preserve the artwork)
How to Do It:
- Gather smooth rocks from the backyard or any outdoor space. Clean them with water and let them dry.
- Set up a painting station with acrylic paints, brushes, and markers. Lay down some newspaper or paper towels to keep things tidy.
- Let the kids do the painting on the rocks. For younger kids, simple shapes and colourful patterns work best.
- Allow the painted rocks to dry completely.
- (Optional) Spray with a clear sealant to protect the artwork and make the rocks weatherproof if you plan to place them outdoors.
This simple, imaginative activity is a great way to foster creativity, and it’s easy to do with materials found right outside!
7. Backyard Camping Adventure
Backyard camping is a fantastic way to create a memorable outdoor experience for kids—complete with cosy tents, snacks, and fun activities. Here’s how to set it up and make the adventure unforgettable!
What You’ll Need:
- Tents or Pop-up Shelters – Small, easy-to-assemble tents will work well for kids.
- Blankets and Sleeping Bags – To make the tents comfy.
- Camping Chairs or Cushions – Create a seating area for storytelling and snacks.
- Skewers and Marshmallows – If you have a fire-safe area or grill, set up for roasting marshmallows.
- Snacks and Drinks – Include kid-friendly snacks like popcorn, juice boxes, and s’mores ingredients.
- Storybook or Prepared Stories – A camping classic for storytelling.
How to Set Up:
- Choose a Safe, Flat Spot – Set up the tents in an area with soft grass or ground and keep it a bit away from any fences or walls to make it feel more “outdoorsy.”
- Assemble Tents and Seating – Place tents around a “central” area where kids can gather, sit, and snack. Add blankets or pillows to make the tents extra cozy!
- Set Up a Snack Station – Near the tents, arrange a small table or blanket with snacks and drinks. If roasting marshmallows, set up a grill or designated fire area nearby (with adult supervision).
With a few simple setups and a little imagination, this backyard camping adventure will make kids feel like they’re far away in the great outdoors 😄
These activities are designed to inspire creativity, wonder, and play in kids, making for a summer packed with unforgettable experiences. With a little guidance, you can help turn ordinary moments into extraordinary memories that they’ll cherish.
At Enrolmy, we believe in making every kid’s experience exciting and enriching. If you’re interested in learning more about how Enrolmy can bring more joy and ease to managing children’s activities, fill out the form below to get in touch. We’d love to help you make this summer and every season ahead truly memorable!