School’s Out: 10 Fun Summer Activities for Kids

Summer’s here and school is out. Now that the days are longer and the kids are home, there’s more time for fun, but keeping them active and entertained can be a challenge. Luckily, we’ve put together a list of some fun outdoor activities to make this Summer the best one yet!

1. Go for a Day Hike: Pick a park and trail that is easy enough for the kiddos, pack a lunch, and set out for a day of adventure. Before the hike, plan out a nature scavenger hunt so they can learn about the plants, insects, and wildlife in the area while having fun outdoors.
2. Explore New Playgrounds: Has the neighborhood playground lost its thrill? Next time they want to climb on the monkey bars or swing, visit a new one. There are so many great play places out there you could even plan to visit a new one each week.
3. Go Fishing: Pick a park and plan a day to catch some fish. Warinanco Park in Union County offers a great opportunity for freshwater fishing, plus they have a bike path, snack bar, spray pool, and more! Fishing Licenses are required by the State of NJ for anyone over 16 years old and can be bought in-store at both of our locations. To purchase one online, click here.
4. Get Out in the Garden: Spend the day planting a garden with the kids. They will love getting dirty, and it offers a great learning experience. Planting a butterfly garden will teach them not just about the fauna, but also the Life cycle of caterpillars and butterflies.
5. Paddle the Day Away: Enjoy a day out on the water paddling in a canoe, kayak, or SUP with the kids. Don’t have a boat? Don’t worry! Check out our Rentals available In-Store, Horseshoe Lake, and Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve.
6. Head to the Beach: Pack the kids in the car and head down to the Jersey Shore. Enjoy the day relaxing and having fun with the kids building sandcastles and splashing in the waves of the Atlantic or go to one of the many waterparks and spend the day riding water slides.
7. Go Camping: Spend the weekend enjoying the fresh air camping at a park. The Delaware River Family Campground in Columbia, NJ is in the Delaware River Gap area and offers a variety of campsites, plus both rustic and modern cabin rentals. Amenities include a heated swimming pool and a kiddie pool, game room, boat and tubing rentals (and river excursions), mini-golf, basketball courts, and a camp store. On the weekends, they also have scheduled activities including arts & crafts, music, clowns, and family movie nights.
8. Create Your own Waterpark: Invite their friends over for a Wet and Wild day in the backyard. Setup the Slide ‘N Soak, a pool, water gun stations, an obstacle course with sprinklers, the possibilities are endless. Plus, it can be easily put up and taken down at any time.
9. Set Their Sights on the Stars: Kids find the stars fascinating even before they understand what they are. Spend the day drawing the different constellations with crayons, markers, and paint that can be seen in your area. Then when the night comes around, lay out a blanket in the backyard, make some s’mores, look up, and see just how many that everyone can find. It’s a fun and educational experience for everyone involved.
10. Set Out on a Secret Road Trip: Plan a surprise road trip, get everyone in the car, and set out without the kids knowing where you're going. Play games along the way, like allowing them to guess what the destination is or I-Spy. For a fun and educational day trip, visit Dinosaurs at Field Station in Bergen County. The Field Station is a wild scientific expedition with over 30 life-sized, animatronic dinosaurs. Workshops, games, and activities connect the story of the dinosaurs to our world today, giving new relevance to their lives.

Let’s be real for a minute, eventually, you’ll hear the dreaded phrase, “I’m bored” from one of the kids, but the list above should minimize that and help you to make it a Summer they’ll never forget.

Gear up for adventure this Summer with Ramsey Outdoor!