101 Outdoor Family Bonding Activities {Summer}

Every year as the weather starts to get warmer I get excited to spend more time outside. Some of our favorite family bonding activities are summer adventures outside.

While family bonding can and should happen all year long both inside and outside I thought it would be fun to put together a list of family bonding activities that can be enjoyed outside during the summer.

101 Outdoor Family Bonding Activities

Doing little things together can help build the relationships between parents and children as well as siblings. The activities done together don’t have to be anything big. Simple things can really help strengthen family bonds.

There are many different family bonding activities to consider when thinking of ways to spend time together. These are just some of the options out there, with a focus on activities that can be done with varying ages outdoors.

1.Go Camping

Camping is a great way to unplug and get outdoor family time. For several years we went camping at Knoebels each year for Labor Day weekend. It was so nice to unplug and get some focused family time.

Now that we don’t go camping there each year we have been looking for other local places to go camping. So we can have fun getting dirty and making memories.

2. Have a Carwash

Have a carwash and wash other peoples cars or just simple wash your own cars. As soon as the bucket and hose get pulled out the kids are so excited and ready to help. Washing the car is probably one of the highlights of their summer.

3. Go Hiking

Hiking is one of our favorite outdoor family activities. We love finding new trails to explore and experiencing the beautiful areas around where we live and travel.

Since our kids are young we haven’t done any really hard hiking, but simple hiking trails still make for great family time.

4. Go Swimming

Last summer we went swimming almost everyday. Not only is being able to swim a great life skill for kids to learn, it’s a great way to cool when it’s hot.

5. Visit an Amusement Park

We love visiting amusement parks together as a family. Disney World, Legoland, and Hershey Park are a few of the ones we have really enjoyed visiting.

Related Post: 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Disney World

6. Play at the Park

One of the easiest outdoor family activities in my opinion is to go to the park. It doesn’t take much planning and it’s free. Running around and playing with their parents on the playground is a memory I hope my kids always have from their childhood.

Related Post: Wizard of Oz Playground

7. Have a Picnic

There is just something magical about having a picnic and eating food outside. Make this family bonding activity even more fun by preparing your picnic food together before heading on an adventure to eat it.

8. Fly Kites

Flying kites is a great activity where you need to work together to succeed. Flying a kite can be a challenge, especially for younger kids, so it’s a great time to tackle a challenge together.

9. Go to the Beach

When we lived in Florida a couple of years ago we went to the beach at least once a week. My favorite was when we would head to the beach for 5-6 hours at a time. We would unplug and just enjoy being outside together.

Related Post: Visiting Mickler Beach Florida

10. Draw with Chalk

There are so many fun things you can draw with chalk. Get creative and have some fun drawing together, you could even come up with a fun game or challenge.

11. Dance in the Rain

We don’t do this as often as we should, but every once in a while when we get a rainstorm with out thunder and lightning we will head outside and have fun dancing in the rain.

The first time we did this the kids thought we were crazy and honestly I almost didn’t do it because of the work it would involve after we went back inside. But the dancing, splashing and giggles were priceless.

12. Plant a Garden

Plant a garden together and spend time working in it together. Not only is this a great way to spend time together, it’s an awesome way to help kids learn how to work.

13. Visit the Zoo

The zoo is another fun place to visit with kids of all ages. The local zoo is a great place to start visiting with young kids and continue to visit as they get older. If your family enjoys visiting different zoos you might want to add the San Diego Zoo and the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington DC to your list of places to visit.

14. Explore a National Park

National Parks are such a great place to explore and spend time as a family outside. Last summer we were able to visit a couple of National Parks and we have so many more we want to visit.

Related Post: Tips for Visiting Mount Rushmore National Monument

15. Water Fight

Water fights especially with water balloons are a fun way to cool of on a hot summer day. These bunch o balloons make having plenty of water balloons for a water fight quick and easy.

16. Go on a bike ride

We have been going on family bike rides for years. A bike trailer makes it easy to take even young kids on bike rides. Plus as the kids get older they can learn to ride a bike on their own.

17. Take a Walk

Take a walk around the neighborhood, it’s simple free and something you can do every day if you want.

18. Play Water Kickball

Water kickball is a yard game I grew up playing and now we love playing it with our kids. It can easily be adapted to fit different size yards and ages. The one constant for us is that you slide in to home on a water slide. The other bases change between kiddie pools of water, buckets filled with water and sprinklers.

19. Do a Family Fun Run

Family fun runs are a great way to spend time as a family outdoors while also getting in a workout. (which we all know is hard to do when you have kids!)

20. Play at the Lake

The lake is a fun place to spend the day with a beach and water. Take a boat out, go canoeing or spend time along the shore.

21. Find a Waterfall

We love finding waterfalls and have hiked to several. Waterfall hiking trails are some of our favorites.

Related Post: Visiting Bushkill Falls {tips and tricks}

22. Catch Bugs

Catching bugs totally depends on kids’ personalities. Some kids will love it and others will not! My kids don’t want to touch bugs but they like looking at them so this fun Ant Science Unit was perfect.

23. Make Food Outside

A solar oven, roasting hot dogs, and foil bakes are a few fun ways to cook food outside.

24. Make ice cream in a bag

Ice cream in a bag is such a fun activity to do with kids. It takes work but the reward of delicious ice cream is totally worth it.

25. Blow Bubbles

What makes bubbles so magical? I’m not sure but blowing bubbles outside especially if you have young kids is a great way to spend some relaxing family time outside. These Glove a Bubble bubble toys are a fun way to make bubble blowing extra fun.

26. Chalk Paint

Change up the classic drawing with chalk by using chalk paint instead. You can make your own chalk paint or you can buy sidewalk paint.

27. Play Yard Games

There are so many different kinds of yard games you can play. We love playing cornhole as a family. We obviously have to modify it when playing with young kids, but it’s so much fun.

28. Have a BBQ

Have a BBQ or Cookout depending on where you live. Enjoy grilling up some meat or veggies and eating outside.

29. Pick Your Own Produce

We love visiting pick your own produce farms and orchards. Not only is it a great way to teach kids about where food comes from, it’s also a lot of fun. Plus you get yummy produce to bring home with you.

Related Post: Blueberry Picking

30. Visit a Farm

Visiting a farm is a great way to get outside and visit the country. My kids love seeing all of the different farm animals. It’s a lot of fun just to see the animals but visiting a farm where you can feed the animals is also great.

31. Take Family Pictures

If you haven’t already noticed I love taking family pictures. We love having a photographer take our photos, but we often take our own photos. Summer is a great time to get pictures taken since the weather is usually nicer and you can get beautiful outdoor photos taken.

32. Feed the Ducks

Depending on where you live you might be able to go to the park and feed the ducks. Our favorite is when we can feed the ducks from a bridge or something so they are in the water. It’s fun to watch them swim for the food.

33. Plant a Herb Garden

Herb gardens are great because you can make them as small or large as you want. You can even make an indoor herb garden. We made this Monster Herb Garden and it was a lot of fun to decorate the pots and then watch our herbs grow.

34. Jump on the Trampoline

I have so many memories of jumping on the Trampoline as a family. I want my kids to have some of those same memories.

35. Go on a Nature Walk

Find a nature trail or a hike trail and have fun going on a nature walk. For young kids a nature walk activity can make it even more fun. A quick search on Pinterest will help you find nature bingo printables and other activities.

36. Do a Scavenger Hunt

Have fun doing a scavenger hunt together. There are countless different types of scavenger hunts you can plan and do as a family. So get creative!

37. Play Flag Football

You can play flag football with kids of all ages just change the rules as needed for the age of kids you’re playing with.

38. Do Nature Rubbings

Grab some paper and crayons and have fun doing nature rubbings. Tree trunks and leaves work great for nature rubbings.

39. Do a Dandelion Craft

Dandelions those yellow weeds you probably don’t love having in your yard can be a fun way to make memories. Have fun doing some crafts with dandelions or even a Dandelion science experiment.

40. Find Hearts in Nature

When spending time out in nature look for hearts or any other shape you want. I love finding hearts in nature and seeing them as a reminder of all the love and beauty around us that was created by a loving God.

41. Play with Ice

During the summer playing with ice can be a lot of fun play hot potato with cold ice cubes, paint with ice cubes on the sidewalk, or any other fun activity you can think of.

42. Make Mud Pies

As we get older we seem to spend less and less time getting dirty. But honestly I think some time spent playing in the mud is good for all ages. So head outside and have fun making mud pies together. You could even have a contest to see who can make the most beautiful mud pie.

43. Pick Flowers

Out in nature or at a pick your own farm pick flowers together and then put them somewhere in your home.

44. Go Fishing

I’ll be honest this is not our family’s favorite activity, but it is a lot of fun. And if touching the fish doesn’t bother you then it will be even more fun.

45. Paddle Boarding

Paddle boarding is a great outdoor family activity to do together, especially if you have older kids and teens.

46. Go Canoeing

Canoeing is a fun and affordable activity to as a family. Check your local area to see if there is somewhere you can rent a canoe, several state parks in our area have canoes you can rent.

47. Build Sandcastles

At the beach or in the backyard have fun building a sandcastle together. Get creative and have fun creating and getting messy together.

48. Go Boating

My kids have never been boating, but growing up boating was something my family did a lot during the summer. I have many fond memories of being out on the lake in the boat. I hope to be able to make some of the same memories with my kids someday.

49. Read Stories Outside

Reading together is something we try to do everyday and when the weather is nice taking books outside to read together is a lot of fun.

Related Post: Picture Books to Read this Summer

50. Make s’mores

Yum! S’mores are fun to make and even more fun to eat. My friend Justine has several fun variations to the traditional s’more you’re definitely going to want to try.

51. Attend a Baseball Game

I have never been a big fan of baseball but going to a baseball game is a lot of fun and I actually really enjoy watching a game in the stadium setting. A MLB game or even a college/high school baseball game can be a fun family activity.

52. Trace Your Shadow

Shadow activities can be so much fun, grab some chalk and have fun tracing your shadows. Don’t forget to take a picture of your shadow drawings.

53. Go 4-Wheeling

Last summer we stayed at my parents house in the mountains and had so much fun going on 4-wheeler rides. If you get the chance to 4-wheeling I highly recommend it as a fun family outing.

54. Create an Obstacle Course

Creating an obstacle course is a great backyard family activity. You can do it at home and it doesn’t need to cost you anything.

55. Visit a Dairy

Visiting a dairy aka a creamery is one of our favorite things to do during the summer. We have slowly been visiting different places along the Maryland ice cream trail and it’s been so much fun.

Related Post: Misty Meadows Farm Creamery

56. Ride a Horse

Riding a horse can be an expensive family bonding activity but if it’s an interest you or your kids have then plan and budget. You can make it happen.

57. Search for Geodes

A search on google can help you know how easy it could be to find Geodes in your area. When I was young we found some geodes in Illinois and it was so cool. I hope we can do this sometime with my kids.

58. Explore a Monument

There are several monuments owned by the national parks service. One of our favorites is Fort Matanzas National Monument in Florida and it’s FREE to visit.

59.Ride Scooter

Scooters are a fun way to get outside and a fun alternative to a bike. They take up less space and are a great way for kids to practice balancing.

60. Find Sand Dollars

We have been able to visit the Oregon coast a couple of times and both times we have found Sand Dollars. It has been so cool. Check out this post for some tips on finding Sand Dollars and a video of the live Sand Dollar we found.

61. Do a DIY Project

I love doing DIY Projects. It’s definitely easier to do projects as a family with older kids. But even young kids can take a small part in a lot of DIY projects.

62. Go Stargazing

Stargazing is a great way to spend a summer night. Not only is it fun to look at the stars, it’s also a great time to talk and dream together.

63. Do a Service Project

Serving others is one of my favorite family bonding activities. Not only do you get to strengthen your family relationships but you also get that warm feeling from helping others. (you can find local service opportunities at justserve.com)

64. Catch Lightning Bugs

Lightning bugs or firefly’s depending on where you live make summer evenings so magical. Have fun catching and releasing lightning bugs.

65. Do a Tie Dye Craft

Tie Dye can be messy but it’s also a lot of fun. Plus you can’t beat seeing how excited kids are to wear something they designed and made.

66. Do a Science Experiment

There are so many different science experiments you can do with all ages. One of our favorite quick and easy science experiments to do with young kids is this fizzing colors experiment.

67. Visit a State Park

State parks are a great place to hike, attend a ranger program or spend time at the lake. Search state parks in your state to see what state parks are near you.

68. Build a Fort

Building a fort is something you can do inside and outside. Have fun building together and seeing how awesome of a fort you can make.

69. Slip and Slide

Slip and slides are so fun on hot summer days. Take turns doing silly slides or you could even get a racing slip and slide to see who can go the furthest or the fastest.

70. Learn to Roller Blade

Learning to Roller Blade might take some time but could be a lot of fun.

71. Go Bird Watching

We recently saw some Eagles while on a trip to Virginia and it was so cool. It makes me want to do some more bird watching together.

72. Skip Rocks

Find a river, a lake or a stream and have fun skipping or throwing rocks.

73. See an Outdoor Play

Outdoor Plays are some of my favorite, I love sitting out under the stars and enjoying a good play.

74. See a Drive-in Movie

Drive in movies are a fun family bonding activity and from our experience they are typically cheaper than taking the family to the theater. Plus you get to enjoy being outside while enjoying your movie.

75. Watch Fireworks

Their is nothing like watching fireworks or setting off some of your own during the summer.

76. Play at a Splash Pad

Many areas have community splash pads that are a fun way to cool of and have fun during the summer months.

77. Watch an Airshow

The Blue Angels airshows are done all across the country and if you get the chance they are totally worth seeing at least once. We were able to see the Airshow a couple of times in Annapolis.

78. Go to a Historic Reenactment

Several National Parks and even a few State Parks have historical reenactments which are a great way to learn about history. We really enjoyed visiting Jamestown Settlement to experience what it was like here over 400 years ago.

79. Play in the Water

Have fun playing in the water at the lake, the beach or even in the backyard. With young kids a water table is a fun and easy way to play in the water at home.

Related Post: The Best Toys for Toddlers

80. Go to a Festival

Food Festivals and holiday festivals are a fun way to get outside, experience something new and have fun as a family.

81. Shoot a Soda Bottle Rockets

Soda bottle rockets are not only fun to launch they are also a great family learning activity. This water rocket kit from amazon is a great way to be able to do this fun activity.

82. Visit a Petting Zoo

Petting zoos can be a lot of fun depending on your kids personalities. It’s a great way to be able to get close to a variety of different animals.

83. Shop at a Farmers Market

Shopping at a farmers market is a great way to try local foods and experience new things as a family.

84. Make a Bird Feeder

Make a bird feeder and watch for birds to come eat from it. This family bonding activity is something that can last all summer not just for a day.

85. Paint Rocks

Paint rocks and then head out put them around the neighborhood to put a smile on others faces.

86. Go Geocaching

Geocaching is a fun way to find treasure and work on navigation skills using a GPS.

87. Play Soccer

Soccer is a fun and easy sport to play with all ages of kids, obviously how you play will change depending on the age of the kids you’re playing with. But this family bonding activity is something you can play with your kids’ from the time they are toddlers all the way until they are grown.

88. Visit a Nature Center

Local nature centers are a great way to learn more about the plants and animals in your area.

89. Use a Magnifying Glass

Magnifying glasses are such a fun way to look at the world around you. Also, I feel like using a magnifying glass to burn a hole in a leaf is something every kid should do at least once.

90. Watch the Clouds

Watching the clouds and finding silly things in them is such a fun thing to do as a family. Be prepared for silly family fun and lots of giggles.

91. Play Glow in the Dark Bowling

Fill water bottles or 2 liter soda bottles with water and a glow stick to make your own glow in the dark bowling pins. Then us any ball you have to “go bowling”.

92. Build and Race Boats

Build a boat and have a boat race. You can get a kit to make a wooden boat or you can use supplies found around the house to make a boat.

93. Jump Rope

Jumping rope is a fun outdoor activity for the whole family. Once you’ve all mastered jumping rope then it’s time to try Double Dutch.

94. Have Paper Airplane Races

Making and racing paper airplanes is a fun activity for families to do together. My kids love making paper airplanes and seeing whos plane can go the highest or the farthest.

95. Go Mini Golfing

None of us are very great at Mini Golfing but we have had a ton of fun doing this family activity several times.

96. Find Shells

When you’re at the beach spend time looking for shells or even fossils and shark teeth.

97. Play Frisbee

Playing frisbee can be a really fun outdoor family bonding activity, plus it’s great for kids to learn to throw and catch a frisbee.

98. Catch Butterflies

Grab some butterfly nets and head outside to find some butterflies.

99. Race Go-Karts

Finding a Go-Kart track in your local area and having a fun family day racing is a really fun summer activity.

100. Play Basketball

Basketball is a sport that my family loves to play. The kids have had a little basketball hoop that we have had a ton of fun playing with and as they get older I’m sure the hoop will get higher.

101. Have a Backyard Camp Out

Backyard campouts are a great way to test out the camping experience but still be near the conveniences of home just incase.

Strengthening The Family Bond

While I have shared a ton of ideas in this post of different activities you can do to strengthen the family bond you have with your kids, siblings, parents, etc. this post doesn’t include all the activity options out there.

The most important thing to remember is that building a strong family bond takes time and attention. What activity you’re doing isn’t nearly as important as making spending time together a priority.

Free Printable List of Family Bonding Activities

Get your free printable list with 101 different outdoor activities to help your family bond and make memories outside!

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