
Care.com | by Care.com Editors | Updated on: May 14, 2025 | 8 min read
No bored kids will be left behind this summer when you make your way through this big list of fun kids summer activities.
Keeping kids entertained and engaged throughout the summer takes a bit of creativity. Don’t worry though, we have you covered! Check out these 101 fun summer activities for kids that are guaranteed to stave off boredom and keep them excited about what’s going to happen every day. When the first day of school rolls around and their teacher asks, “What did you do this summer?,” they’ll have a lot to say!
Whether you’re entertaining very active toddler or a low-key tween, this mondo list of fun ideas for summer will come in handy for all ages and types of kids. Got a sitter or nanny helping you out this year? Make sure to share these fun summer activities and ideas with them too.
Key takeaways
- Having a list of kids summer ideas and activities is key for staving off boredom.
- Make sure you have age-appropriate activities for everyone.
- Choose from sporty to educational activities with our comprehensive list.
Games and summer activities for kids
- Use laundry baskets and a cardboard box to make a DIY skee ball game.
- Host a game of water balloon baseball.
- Have a tricycle race at the park.
- Enjoy summer evenings with these games you can play in the dark.
- Make a twirligig paper spinner toy, and enjoy playing with it afterwards.
- Make a giant hopscotch or Twister game on the lawn (with spray paint) or driveway (with chalk).
- Try these easy games you can play just using your hands.
- Have a game night with charades, Pictionary and bingo.
- Have a water balloon toss — or fight!
Crafty things to do with kids in summer
- Fill one of these blank books with stories and illustrations.
- Create salad spinner art by placing circles of paper inside a cheap salad spinner, squirt water-based acrylic or tempera paints on top, cover and spin away.
- Make a sidewalk chalk mural.
- Have an outdoor painting party using huge canvases or cardboard.
- Paint with ice by freezing ice cube trays with washable tempera paint.
- Decorate something you love with these dish brush dandelions.
- Paint the sidewalk or patio with plain old water and sponge brushes. When the creation dries, begin again.
- Paint canvas sneakers with fabric paint pens or acrylic paint.
- Try shadow drawing.
- Never enough crafts? See how many of these summer crafts you can complete.
Fun summer activities for kids (outdoor only!)
- Have a luau with great food and creative dancing.
- Have a sing-a-long around a campfire.
- Run through the sprinklers.
- Throw a backyard movie night.
- Gather around the fire pit and tell scary stories.
- Craft DIY sponge bombs and then let the water play begin.
- Go camping in the backyard and invite over the neighborhood kids for a sleepover.
- Set up a tent to use as a summer playhouse.
- Plant a butterfly garden with flowers.
- Make your own hard-to-pop bubbles with 1 cup of distilled water, 2 tablespoons of Dawn dish soap and 1 tablespoon of glycerin.
Art-based summer activities for kids
- Make puffy sidewalk chalk and get creative.
- String beads into jewelry.
- Make a bird house out of popsicle sticks.
- Make a magical DIY “stained glass” unicorn.
- Use an online tutorial and learn to sew, crochet or knit.
- Make Mexican paper flowers using different colored tissue paper.
- Make crafts with recyclable items like stickers using old photos, magazines and reposition-able glue.
- Take on some tie-dye projects — from shirts and socks to pillowcases.
- Practice your origami skills and make construction paper crafts to hang from the ceiling.
- Collect rocks and paint them to use as paperweights or pet rocks.
Sporty summer activities for kids
- Break out your baseball glove and start a game, sandlot style.
- Set up a net and play badminton and volleyball.
- Learn how to play Frisbee in 15 different ways.
- Learn fun jump rope songs and rhymes while improving your skills.
- Set up a mini-golf course in your driveway by laying different size containers on their sides.
- Stage your own Summer Olympics with races, hurdles and relays.
- Line up a game of pool noodle hockey (no pool required).
- Cool off and enjoy some friendly competition when you kick off the summer ice boat races.
- Go ice blocking (sledding) on grass with a towel-covered block of ice.
- Try one of these backyard games for kids.
Summer activities that get kids out of the house
- Clean up trash at a park in your neighborhood.
- Pick a nearby town to visit for the day.
- Go horseback riding.
- Mark off all the local parks on a map — then visit them, take pictures and vote for your favorite.
- Take in a fireworks exhibit.
- Collaborate with other kids in the neighborhood to do a “chalk walk” — have all the neighbors vote on the best sidewalk chalk obstacle courses or other creative chalk masterpieces.
- Let kids paint each other with washable tempera paint and then wash it off in a sprinkler run.
- Set up a bike wash and raise money for a local charity.
- Plan a picnic at the park and invite friends and neighbors.
- Decorate bikes and have a neighborhood Fourth of July parade.
- Make paper boats and race them in a kiddie pool using straws to propel them.
Nature-based children’s summer activities
- Encourage wonder and time outdoors playing nature observation bingo.
- Take a walk in nature and see how many types of birds you can spot.
- Go canoeing at a local lake.
- Head to a local creek or pond and look at the ducks.
- Go biking on a trail.
- Catch fireflies in a jar (and let them go at the end of the night).
- Learn about stargazing and identify as many constellations as possible.
- Go for a walk and make nature crafts from objects you find along the way.
- Collect wildflowers and create leis.
- Go fossil hunting near a lake.
- Wade through a stream and search for minnows or tadpoles.
Easy summer food activities for kids
- Make ice cream.
- Set up an ice cream sundae buffet for dinner.
- Use a fidget pop-it to make a frozen summer treat.
- Create unusual s’mores by experimenting with ingredients like cookies, bananas, mini candy bars, flavored marshmallows and white chocolate.
- Make homemade pizza.
- Blend your own smoothie — they’re good for you!
- Make ice cream sandwiches.
- Pick fresh berries.
- Assemble a family cookbook with all your favorite recipes.
- Make popsicles in small paper cups using fresh fruit.
- Investigate an ethnic grocery store and make lunch using interesting spices and kid-friendly international recipes.
Fun summer activities at home
- Make a fort out of cardboard boxes.
- Stage an A-to-Z scavenger hunt, where you have to find something that starts with every letter. Or try one of these other scavenger hunt ideas.
- Practice making interesting shadow puppets and then put on a show with your characters.
- Get surprised and inspired with a Box of Happy, customized by age and interests.
- Get a map of the United States and mark off all the exciting places you want to visit — create the ultimate road trip.
- Learn some easy magic tricks and put on a magic show.
- Let kids brainstorm creative things to do with a boring brown paper bag — you’ll be surprised at how many things you can come up with.
- Learn some good jokes and put on your own stand-up show.
- Have a fancy tea party. Dress up and wear hats.
- Draw pictures and write letters to local seniors living in skilled nursing facilities.
Educational summer activities for kids
- Learn about the voting process and why it’s important to take part.
- Interview a grandparent or an older relative about what life was like when they were young.
- Volunteer at an animal adoption organization.
- Save this list of Coretta Scott King book award winners and try to read as many as you can throughout the summer.
- Learn how to type.
- Make a photo journal or a family yearbook.
- Try one of these fascinating science projects.
- Create three-dimensional buildings or structures using toothpicks and mini marshmallows.
- Check out a local museum you’ve never visited.
- Read some slam poetry and then write some of your own.
Bonus from CA Real Estate Group:
103. Enter the K-6 Summer Art Contest for a chance to win a $100 gift card! Download the art sheet here.
Keeping Current Matters | Jun 18, 2025
It’s hard to let go of a 3% mortgage rate. There’s no question about it. It’s the main reason why so many homeowners have delayed their move in recent years. But here’s something to consider.
While your low rate might be ideal, it doesn’t make up being too cramped, having a staircase your knees can’t handle anymore, or being 1,000 miles from your family. And those real-life needs are pushing more sellers off the fence despite today’s rates.
Data shows the share of homeowners with a mortgage rate below 3% is dropping as more people move. And, as a result, the share of homeowners taking on a mortgage rate above 6% is rising, too (see graph below):

The Biggest Reasons People Are Moving Right Now
Why are some homeowners willing to take on a higher rate?A survey from Realtor.com helps shed light on that. It shows79% of homeowners considering selling today are doing it out of necessity. And that same survey says most of the necessary reasons people are moving are non-financial in nature (see graph below):
Do any of these reasons resonate for you, too?
- You Need More Space: Whether it’s a new baby, children needing their own rooms, or having your parents move in so it’s easier to take care of them, outgrowing your space can happen fast.
- You Need Less Space: The kids are out of the house now and you’re craving a life that’s a little simpler. Downsizing can be a major relief: fewer rooms to clean, less to maintain, and lower utility bills, too.
- You Want to Be Closer to Family: Whether it’s to help with grandchildren or care for aging parents, sometimes the pull of being near loved ones outweighs the math.
- A Relationship in Your Life Has Changed: Divorce, separation, or moving in together after a marriage or new partnership – all can create the need for a fresh start and a new place to call home.
- Your Job Is Taking You Somewhere New: If you finally landed your dream job or your partner’s company is relocating, you may need to move too.
What About Mortgage Rates?
Yes, experts expect mortgage rates to ease, but slowly. The latest projections show only modest declines this year – not the 3% you may be hoping for (see graph below):
So, while waiting for a big drop in rates might sound strategic, it could just mean more time feeling stuck in a space that no longer fits. And for many, that waiting game has already gone on long enough.
According to Realtor.com, nearly 2 in 3 potential sellers have been thinking about moving for over a year. If you’re one of them, maybe it’s time to ask:
How much longer are you willing to press pause on your life?
Bottom Line
Maybe your current house fit your life five years ago. But that “for now” house you bought in 2020? It just can’t deliver on what you need in 2025. And that’s not just okay, it’s normal.
Mortgage rates are part of the equation, for sure. But the bigger question is:
What kind of home do you need to support the life you’re living now?
Talk to CARE Group about what’s changed, and what kind of move would actually take your life forward.
Let’s connect and plan your next steps. Call or text us! 🙂
CA Real Estate Group | Caliber RE Group
Christine Almarines @christine_almarines
Realtor DRE# 01412944 | (714) 476-4637
Anaid Bautista @anaidrealtor
Realtor DRE# 02179675 | (949) 391-8266
Speaks Spanish
Letty Luna @lettylunarealestate
Realtor DRE# 02174000 | (562) 879-4181
Speaks Spanish

Realtor.com | Aug 13, 2022
Here’s an informational tidbit you probably don’t want to hear: As temperatures drop, many rodents will be attracted to your home for the same reasons you are: They’re seeking a warm, cozy shelter with food. And they’re not just creepy—left unchecked, these pests can wreak havoc on your health and home.
“Although they may be small in size, rodents can cause big problems for homeowners once inside. Known to spread more than 35 diseases worldwide, rodents are considered one of the most dangerous public health pests in America,” says Jim Fredericks, chief entomologist for the National Pest Management Association. “In addition to the health threats they pose, rodents are capable of causing significant property damage.”
For example, if they get behind the walls of your home, they can chew through materials like plastic, wood, and drywall. They’re also capable of chewing through wiring, increasing the risk of electrical fire.
While rodents pose a threat year-round, Fredericks says mice and rats invade an estimated 21 million U.S. homes each winter. To keep them from running rampant on your property, put these tips into practice.
Eliminate access points around the house
Mice can squeeze through openings as small as the size of a dime, and their rat cousins can fit through holes the size of a quarter, experts say. This means even the tiniest cracks and crevices should be sealed, including cracks and holes inside and outside the home.
“It’s critical to eliminate access points by inserting door sweeps, repairing damaged window and door screens, sealing exterior cracks, and replacing loose mortar,” says Fredericks. “Any gap under a door that is larger than a quarter-inch can permit mice to enter and should be closed by repairing thresholds or installing door sweeps.”
Openings to chimneys should be regularly inspected, including the damper, which should always be closed when not in use, says Kevin Busch, vice president of operations at Mr. Handyman.
“Inspect and repair holes in your gutters, roof, fascia, siding, and foundation,” Busch says.
The best materials to use for sealing cracks and holes in your home’s exterior? Busch says expanding foam insulation, caulking, metal screening, or even a small piece of sheet metal will work great.
Inspect all packaging before bringing it into the home
With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, more people are relying on online ordering for groceries, household supplies, and meal delivery. This cardboard packaging can be enticing to rodents searching for food and, as gross as it sounds, give them a free ride into your home.
“If packages with food are left outside for extended periods of time, they can attract mice and rats who can easily chew through cardboard boxing,” says Fredericks. “Be sure to promptly bring any deliveries inside and inspect packages for signs of rodent damage, or even an infestation inside the box itself.”
Properly store food and dispose of garbage
Critters are always looking for their next meal. Experts suggest storing food in airtight containers, disposing of garbage regularly, and using a sealed trash receptacle to prevent hungry rodents from getting into your food waste.
“Sealing up food and properly storing it is important because the odors attract unwanted animals,” says Craig Gjelsten, vice president of operations for Rainbow International. “Mice, rats, and other pests are attracted to rotting food and animal waste products.”
Keep attics, basements, and crawl spaces ventilated and dry
Eliminating any sources of moisture—including repairing leaking pipes and clogged drains—can help keep rodents at bay.
“Just like humans, rodents need water in order to survive,” says Fredericks. “In general, it’s a good idea to eliminate sources of moisture inside your home by keeping attics and basements well-ventilated while also repairing any leaking pipes or clogged drains.”
Keep outdoor spaces clear and clean
To keep unwanted critters from entering your home, be sure to do regular landscaping and yard maintenance.
“Trim back trees so animals can’t climb onto the roof,” says Josh Sevick, president of The Ground Guys, which specializes in lawn care and landscaping.
Sevick also says to remove debris around your home and to keep firewood at least 20 feet from your house.
Safeguard your electrical system
Rodents have been known to chew through structural components like drywall, insulation, lumber, and electrical wiring. While all these threats are worth addressing, ignoring damage to your electrical system can be the most critical because it can lead to unnecessary fires, personal injuries, and property damage.
“While finding evidence of damaged wiring can be extremely difficult, if rodents are present in your home or business, you’ll have a few chewed wires,” says Josh McCormick, vice president of operations for Mr. Electric.
He says to pay attention to red flags like rodent droppings, skeletons, or noises of scurrying or banging in your walls. Evidence of rodent activity could also include loose pieces of insulation, damaged wires, or holes in walls.
“If you suspect or discover a rodent problem, contact a licensed pest control professional immediately,” says Fredericks.
Keeping Current Matters | Apr 30, 2025
For a long time, the housing market was all sunshine for sellers. Homes were flying off the shelves, and buyers had to compete like crazy. But lately, things are starting to shift. Some areas are still super competitive for buyers, while others are seeing more homes sit on the market, giving buyers a bit more breathing room.
In other words, it’s a tale of two markets, and knowing which one you’re in makes a huge difference when you move.
What Is a Buyer’s Market vs. a Seller’s Market?
In a buyer’s market, there are a lot of homes for sale, and not as many people buying. With fewer buyers competing for these homes, that means they generally sit on the market longer, they might not sell for as much as they would in a seller’s market, and buyers have more room to negotiate.
On the flip side, in a seller’s market, there aren’t enough homes for sale for the number of buyers who are trying to purchase them. Homes sell faster, sellers often get multiple offers, and prices shoot higher because buyers are willing to pay more to win the home.
The Market Is Starting To Balance Out
For years, almost every market in the country was a strong seller’s market. That made it tough for buyers – especially first-timers. But now, things are shifting. According to Zillow, the national housing market is balancing out (see graph below):
The index used in this graph measures whether the national housing market is more of a seller’s market, buyer’s market, or neutral market – basically, whether it favors buyers, sellers, or if it’s not really swinging either way. Each month, the market is measured between 0 and 100. The closer to 100, the bigger the advantage sellers have.
The orange bars in the middle of the graph show the years when sellers had their strongest advantage, from 2020 to early 2022. But, as time has gone on, the market has become more balanced. It shifted from a strong seller’s market to a less intense one. And lately, it’s been neutral more than anything else (that’s the gray bars on the right side of the graph). That means buyers are gaining some negotiating power again.
In a more balanced or neutral market, homes tend to stay on the market a little longer, bidding wars are less common, and sellers may need to make more concessions – like price reductions or helping with closing costs. That shift gives today’s buyers more opportunities and less competition than a couple of years ago.
Why Are Things Changing?
Inventory plays a big role. When there are more homes for sale, buyers have more options – and that cools down home price growth. As data from Realtor.com shows, the supply of available homes for sale isn’t growing at the same rate everywhere (see graph below):
This graph shows how inventory has changed compared to last year (blue bars) and compared to 2017–2019 (red bars) in different regions of the country.
The South and West regions of the U.S. have seen big jumps in housing inventory in the past year (that’s the blue on the right). Both are almost back to pre-pandemic levels. That’s why more buyer’s markets are popping up there.
But in the Northeast and Midwest, inventory is still very low compared to pre-pandemic (that’s why those red bars are so big). That means those areas are more likely to stay seller’s markets for now.
What This Means for You
Every local market is different. Even if the national headlines say one thing, your town (or even your neighborhood) could be telling a totally different story.
Knowing which type of market you’re in helps you make smarter decisions for your move. That’s why working with a local real estate agent is so important right now.
As Zillow says:
“Agents are experts on their local markets and can craft buying or selling strategies tailored to local market conditions.”
Agents understand the unique trends in your area and can help you make the best choices, whether you’re buying or selling. With their expert strategies, you can move no matter which way the market is leaning, because they know how to navigate various levels of buyer competition, how to find hidden gems locally, how to price a house right, how to negotiate based on who has more leverage, and more.
Bottom Line
If you’re ready to make a move, or even just thinking about it, connect with a local real estate agent. They’d love to help you understand your local market and create a game plan that works for you.
What’s one thing you’re curious about when it comes to the market in your area?
Let’s connect and plan your next steps. Find out if we’re the right real estate team for you!
CA Real Estate Group | Caliber RE Group
Christine Almarines @christine_almarines
Realtor DRE# 01412944 | (714) 476-4637
christine@carealestategroup.com
Anaid Bautista @anaidrealtor
Realtor DRE# 02179675 | (949) 391-8266
anaid@carealestategroup.com
Speaks Spanish
Letty Luna @lettylunarealestate
Realtor DRE# 02174000 | (562) 879-4181
letty@carealestategroup.com
Speaks Spanish
PT Nguyen @sellsocalbuypt
Realtor DRE# 02223919 | (714) 756-0240
pt@carealestategroup.com
Speaks Vietnamese
Fun Orange County Parks
Don’t limit picnics to just lunch at a park bench. Think dinner picnic! Breakfast picnic! Or simply have-a-meal-in-the-great-outdoors picnic!
Beaches, kids and family meals are made for each other. There are playgrounds on the sand at:
Set yourself up to play with views of the shore at:
Go for a nature walk at:
Sit by a lake at:
You can picnic near pretty much ANY playground at a picnic table or by setting up a picnic blanket:
- Read my post about How to Barbecue Near the Beach
- My friend, Heejee, from White Blank Space shared this recipe in the photo above for Folded Kimbap which is the perfect picnic food
- Bag of baby carrots and some hummus for dipping
- Pumpernickel pretzels and pub cheese for dipping (TJs)
- Pineapple spears (Costco)
- Ready-made salads and sandwiches/wraps from the refrigerator section (TJs)
- Some vintage sodas or lemonade (TJs)
- Foot-long, ready-made sandwiches from the deli case (Ralphs, Albertsons, etc.) those big ones that feed everybody.
- I’ve even seen people have pizza delivered for a picnic! Anything goes!
I love the TJs soft-sided coolers for easy packing. Don’t forget towels or picnic blankets. (Can you tell I love TJs?)
Keeping Current Matters | Mar 24, 2025
Spring is in full swing, and the housing market is picking up along with it. And if you’ve been wondering whether now is the right time to buy or sell, here’s the inside scoop on why this spring may be a great time to make your move.
1. There Are More Homes for Sale
After a long stretch of tight inventory, the number of homes for sale is finally improving. According to recent national data from Realtor.com, active listings are up 27.5% compared to this time last year.
Look at the graph below and follow the green line for 2025. You can see, even though inventory levels still haven’t returned to pre-pandemic norms (shown in gray), that number is higher than it has been going into the spring market over the past few years (see graph below):
Buyers: This means you have more choices, and you can be more selective.
Sellers: With more homes available than in recent years, you’re more likely to find what you’re looking for when you move. And knowing that inventory is still below more normal levels means there will be demand for your home when you sell it, too.
2. Home Price Growth Is Moderating
As inventory grows, the pace of home price growth is slowing down – and that will continue into the spring market. This is because prices are driven by supply and demand. When there are more homes for sale, buyers have more options, so there’s less competition for each house. Rising supply and less buyer competition causes price growth to slow, but it should still remain positive in most markets. As Freddie Mac says:
“In 2025, we expect the pace of house price appreciation to moderate from the levels seen in 2024, while still maintaining a positive trajectory.”
And while prices aren’t dropping at the national level, every market is different. Some areas are seeing stronger price growth, while others are cooling off or even seeing some price declines.
Buyers: The slower pace of growth means prices aren’t rising as quickly as before – and that’s a relief. Any home you buy now is likely to appreciate in value over time, helping you build equity.
Sellers: While prices are still rising, you might need to adjust your expectations. Overpricing your house in a more balanced market could mean it takes longer to sell. Pricing your house competitively is going to be key to attracting offers.
3. Mortgage Rates Are Stabilizing
One of the biggest hurdles for buyers over the past couple of years has been high, volatile mortgage rates. But there’s some good news – overall, they’ve stabilized in recent weeks – and have even declined a bit since the beginning of this year. And while that decrease hasn’t been a big drop, stabilizing mortgage rates has helped make buying a home a bit more predictable. According to Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic:
“With the spring homebuying season upon us, the recent improvements in mortgage rates may help invite homebuyers back into the market.”
Buyers: When mortgage rates are more stable, it’s easier to plan ahead because you have a better idea of what your future payment might be. But remember, rates will continue to be volatile. So, lean on your agent and your lender to make sure you know what the latest mortgage rate means for you.
Sellers: Slightly lower rates that are starting to stabilize are encouraging more buyers to move forward with their plans. That’s good for demand when you’re planning to sell your house.
4. More Buyers Are Returning
With more inventory, slowing price growth, and stabilizing mortgage rates, buyers are gaining confidence and coming back into the market. Demand is picking up, and data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) shows an increase in mortgage applications compared to the start of the year (see graph below):
Buyers: Acting sooner rather than later could be a smart move before your competition heats up even more.
Sellers: This is great news for you – more buyers mean a better chance of selling your house quickly.
Bottom Line
Do you have questions about what the spring market means for you? Connect with a local real estate agent and talk about how to craft your plan this season.