Summer Activities for Kids That Won’t Break Your Brain (or Budget)

Summer is loud. Sticky. Slightly chaotic. And if you’re like me—a neurodivergent mom trying to keep a 5-year-old, an ADHD-fueled 3-year-old girl, and a nap-striking baby busy—you know that boredom hits fast and hard. That’s why having a stash of summer activities for kids and a baby is not just helpful… it’s survival.

But here’s the thing: we don’t need complicated Pinterest crafts that require 47 supplies and glitter (never glitter). We need simple, sensory-friendly ideas that work for different energy levels, ages, and moods—all while not completely draining the already-fried parent brain.

These are the tried-and-true activities I keep in my “mom toolbox” all summer long. Some are outdoor adventures, some are indoor wins for the heatwave days, and all of them can be adapted to fit your sensory needs, energy levels, and actual human capacity.

Let’s jump in.

1. Water Play: The Universal Reset Button

When in doubt, add water. Seriously. It works for all three of my kids, even the baby. Water play is one of the easiest and most effective summer activities for kids and a baby.

Ideas to try:

Fill up a kiddie pool or a large bin with a few cups, spoons, and toys
Add ice cubes, pom-poms, or colored water for a sensory twist
Create a “baby-safe splash zone” in the shade with a small towel, baby toys, and a bowl of water for splashing

🧼 Pro Tip: Use this foldable water table for easy setup and clean-up—it’s been my sanity-saver this summer.

Keep towels handy. And don’t forget sunscreen. Or the snacks. Always the snacks.

2. Sidewalk Chalk + Baby Blanket = Summer Vibes

Sidewalk chalk is a summer staple. It’s low-prep, high-impact, and perfect for kids with active imaginations and busy little hands. My personal favorite summer activities for kids and baby.

Set up:

Lay out a blanket or mat in the shade for the baby
Give the big kids chalk, spray bottles, sponges, and a bucket of water
Watch them turn the driveway into a “town,” “car wash,” or “lava floor”

Need a bonus activity? Let them paint the sidewalk with paintbrushes and water. It’s just water—but they’ll feel like artists.

🎨 These washable chalk paints make everything more magical and are easier to clean up than standard chalk dust.

3. Sensory Bins that Work for Multiple Ages

Sensory bins are a daily go-to in our house. They regulate my 3-year-old’s need for stimulation, engage my 5-year-old’s creativity, and keep the baby mesmerized watching.

Simple bin ideas:

Dry rice or pasta + scoops and funnels
Water beads + animals or spoons (supervised!)
Ice cubes with small toys frozen inside (great for hot days)
Kinetic sand + diggers or animal figurines

I sit the baby in a bouncer near the bin, hand her a textured toy, and let her “participate” in her own way.

🧺 This set of Bluey stackable sensory bins is easy to store and makes activity swaps fast when one bin gets boring—or dumped.

4. Outdoor “Adventure” Walks with a Twist

Sometimes, the best activity is getting everyone out of the house before the walls start closing in. But “let’s go for a walk” doesn’t always thrill little ones.

Instead, turn it into an adventure:

Create a nature scavenger hunt (free printable, or just list 5 items)
Bring magnifying glasses for bug spotting
Set a timer and race to find a “yellow flower” or “round rock”

I wear the baby in a carrier, push the stroller for backup, and try not to panic when we bring home 14 sticks and a pinecone named Jerry.

🐞 Want to add extra structure? Use a nature explorer kit with collection jars and bug viewers to make it feel like a real mission.

5. DIY Obstacle Course Indoors or Outside

Let those big feelings and excess energy OUT. A DIY obstacle course channels all that chaos into something semi-productive—and surprisingly fun.

Things to use:

Couch cushions, pillows, and blankets
Painter’s tape for “balance beams” or jumping paths
Hula hoops, cones, or sidewalk chalk for outdoor versions

The baby gets a front-row seat in a bouncer or on a play mat. I sometimes add music and call it “Family Ninja Training.”

🏃 We use this balance beam that the kids can set up themselves—it helps build independence too.

6. Low-Stress Arts and Crafts (That Won’t Trash Your House)

Arts and crafts can be overwhelming when you’re juggling a baby who puts everything in her mouth. But with a little prep, you can still encourage creativity without needing a hazmat suit afterward. Low-stress and low prep summer activities for kids and baby.

Ideas:

Dot markers on a big sheet of paper taped to the floor
Watercolor painting outside (with a spray bottle to blend colors)
Stickers + washi tape on construction paper
Nature rubbings with crayons and leaves

Let your toddler create her masterpiece, your big kid draw blueprints for a rocket ship, and your baby chew on a board book nearby. Win-win-win.

🖍️ We love these no-mess coloring pads for days when my brain can’t handle a paint explosion.

7. Backyard Campouts (During the Day!)

Camping overnight? Not in this house. But setting up a play tent or blanket fort in the yard with books, snacks, and flashlights? Absolutely.

What you need:

A pop-up tent or large blanket fort
Books, stuffed animals, and flashlights
A cooler with snacks and juice boxes

Let the kids pretend it’s a “jungle safari” or “outer space outpost.” The baby gets tummy time on a mat while her siblings imagine wild worlds.

🥪 We use this lightweight toddler tent that’s easy to pop open and move depending on the sun—and makes them feel like true explorers.

8. Kitchen “Helpers” (AKA: Built-In Entertainment)

My 5-year-old and 3-year-old love helping in the kitchen. Sometimes that means chaos. Other times, it buys me 30 solid minutes of focus.

Easy recipes to try together:

Make-your-own sandwich platters
Fruit kabobs with toothpicks
DIY popsicles (fruit + juice in molds)
“Chef snacks” like trail mix or yogurt parfaits

Meanwhile, the baby gets some high chair time with a safe teether or silicone suction toy.

🍓 These kid-safe knives let my 3-year-old help without stress and boost her independence (and pride!).

9. Create a Weekly “Theme Day”

Structure helps everyone in our house thrive—especially my daughter with ADHD and me as a neurodivergent mom. So we started using themed days:

Messy Monday: Sensory bins, slime, or shaving cream play
Try-It Tuesday: A new craft, snack, or nature walk
Water Wednesday: Any water play (pool, hose, ice)
Thoughtful Thursday: Books, puzzles, and calm games
Fun Friday: Baking, dance parties, or a family movie

I write it out on our whiteboard and repeat the theme each week. Predictability = less whining. Usually.

📅 We use this reusable magnetic calendar so the kids can “see” what’s coming—and I don’t have to repeat it a million times.

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Final Thoughts

You don’t need to entertain your kids every minute of the summer. Don’t need a perfect schedule. You just need a few go-to summer activities for kids and baby that let you feel like a semi-functional version of yourself.

It’s not about being the “fun mom.” It’s about being the real mom—the one who shows up, makes popsicles in the blender, and finds magic in sidewalk chalk and splashy feet.

Even when the baby skipped her nap. Even when your toddler is melting down because her popsicle broke in half. You’re doing amazing.

Hang in there, friend. Summer will pass—and you’ll have the sidewalk art, messy snack tables, and wet footprints to prove you survived it.

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