Last Updated on January 22, 2024 by Lori Pace
As a single parent, summer activities with your kids are a whole new ball game – what will work, what won’t?
Even though knowing what to do can be tricky, and summer is around the corner – there’s cause for excitement. The weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer, and summer break is about to begin. What a fun time of the year!
Summer and fun single-parent activities are new opportunities for creating life-long memories and deepening the bond you have with your kids. All you have to do is make a plan and book the ideal vacation to make it a summer you and your children will always remember.
I’ve tried and tested many things to do as a single mom of a few years now, and I can tell you that it doesn’t have to be expensive, and you don’t need to go overboard. Your children want to spend time with you (sometimes away from you – what can we do?), and just being there and trying to be a cool mom will be more than enough for them.
Check out my favorite things to do in the list below.
20 Summer Activities With Kids
Outdoor Activities For Single Parents And Kids
1. Go on random acts of kindness/love-bombing tour with your kid.
Let your creativity guide you and surprise strangers with a few kind gestures. Your child will have a blast.
2. Go on a hike.
Make it enjoyable by telling adventure stories. Do you have waterfalls in your area? Even better – treat yourself and your kid to a day walking around the water.
3. Wash your car in swimsuits.
Kill two boards with one stone: have fun with your kid and finally have a clean car again.
4. Have a backyard camp out.
I used to love camping in our garden as a child. Though we never camped with mom, I have plenty of unforgettable memories of those nights spent outside.
5. Go for a picnic.
Plan a beautiful day in nature with your little sweetheart and pack all the treats you love.
6. Pick wildflowers.
Take your children out for a walk picking a bouquet of wildflowers for your home. Give the dog some exercise, too, while you’re at it!
7. Have a water balloon fight in your backyard.
What’s cooler than having a water balloon fight with mom?
8. Run through sprinklers.
Even if you don’t have sprinklers yourself, be daring and run through a few in your neighborhood.
9. Watch an outdoor movie with your child.
There’s hardly anything more special than watching a movie outside, with the stars sparkling in the sky. Set up your laptop and put down a blanket – your kids will love it.
10. Have a lemonade stand.
Running a small shop for the day will give your child a few cool business lessons and skills. They will learn things like counting money, engaging with customers, figuring out where the best location for the stand is, production costs, and spending the money they make wisely.
11. Create sidewalk chalk masterpieces.
Not all that talented when it comes to drawing? Who cares! Just enjoy yourself and take photos of your kid’s artwork.
12. Take long bike rides.
Explore your neighborhood and your area by bike! Just take off in the morning and don’t come back until sunset. No need to plan; you can follow your instincts or let your child decide.
Indoor Activities For Single Parents And Kids
1. Make ice-cream.
Who doesn’t love ice-cream? And it tastes even better when you’re doing it yourself. So, make your favorite flavors and devour them right away.
2. Eat smores.
I had smores for the very first time in my life when I was 26. Chocolate + marshmallow + graham cracker! Yum! I fell in love with this year-round treat right away and introduced my children to smores much earlier.
Why not plan a few nights in your backyard eating smores and telling stories by the fire.
3. Have a DIY spa day.
Give each other manicures, pedicures, massages, and face masks. Then, sit down to watch a girl’s movie and eat some popcorn.
4. Set a goal and complete a home project.
What’s one project you’ve always wanted to complete around your house? Why not get started with it this summer – with a helper, of course!
5. Read a book together.
Start a bedtime story ritual, or if your kids are a bit older, read the same books and compare notes after you read it.
6. Have a food fight.
Food fights aren’t necessarily a summer-only activity, but it’s still worthwhile mentioning here. Surprise your child by suddenly throwing popcorn in her face or smearing some ice-cream on her nose. Belly-laughter is guaranteed!
7. Make a photo journal.
Go old-school and print all the photos you’ve taken in the last few years instead of just looking at them on your computer. Spend time scrapbooking these memories with your kids
8. Have a yes-day.
For one day, leave your child in charge of everything. Whatever they ask, say YES!
Chaos might ensue, but really, who cares?
Have a great summer with these fun single-parent activities; I’m confident it will be one you’ll remember forever – you’ll probably make a scrapbook online next year.
