I would love to spend all summer out in the sunshine, but there are plenty of days that are just too hot! It isn’t healthy, safe, or fun to be out in boiling weather; but if you still need to get out of the house, here are some fun indoor summer activities!
For more on this topic, check out the full Summer Safety & Activities collection
Take the Kids to an Arcade
We have a few different kid-friendly arcades near our house. My favorite ones are the ones where you don’t need tokens, coins, or tickets – you simply get a card to swipe to play games, and the tickets automatically load back onto the card. Many of the arcades are empty during the day, which means that you can have a fun little outing with your young kids without worrying about the normal chaos of an arcade.
Visit Your Local Libraries
Libraries are AMAZING and oftentimes under-utilized, and they are one of my favorite indoor summer activities. There are so many libraries within an hour driving distance from our house and each one has something slightly different to offer. Most libraries have amazing kid play areas with touchscreen computers, board games, blocks, legos, puzzles, kitchen sets, and of course… books. Make it a point to check out libraries other than your local library and see what you can discover.
[Here are 5 free printables to encourage reading this summer, or any other time]
Head to the Pet Store as a Family
We have an incredible pet store near us. There are lizards, snakes, turtles, fish, hamsters, bunnies, cats, birds, and more! It is like a mini zoo when we go there to visit and see all of the animals. Pro Tip: If your child realllllyyyy wants to go home with an animal, you can buy a couple goldfish (“feeder fish”) for about a dollar.
[Read: How to set expectations for your kids and improve child behavior]
Participate in Book Store Events
Big book stores like Barnes & Noble offer fun activities – story times, special events, and even a kid play area. Smaller, neighborhood books stores are also really fun to explore and often offer unique family activities as well!
Walk Indoors at the Mall
This one is a really great activity if you have a baby (it gets a little trickier as the kids get older and want to walk around too). Strap the baby to your chest or push them in their stroller and get a little exercise with a favorite iced coffee in hand 🙂 This is one of those indoor summer activities that mom might actually enjoy more than the kids!
Enjoy Free Trial Classes for Kids
Many local businesses offer free trial classes for kid activities. Find local places that offer music, gymnastics, dance, karate classes, etc and then see if they offer the first class for free. Just be aware that your child might fall in love with it and beg for you to sign them up 😉
Visit Children’s Museums
Some children’s museums are huge and busy and overwhelming, but some of them are not. Our local children’s museum is small and manageable and has very affordable year-long membership rates. It is a nice option to have when we need to get out of the house for a few hours without feeling like we need to stay there all day to make it worthwhile.
[Read: DIY Child Safety Bracelet – simple, cheap, & waterproof]
Let the Kids Play at Fast Food Restaurants
I am certainly not above fast food play areas over the winter months. McDonald’s, Burger King, and Chick-Fil-A are always big hits with my kids. They get to run around and play, and I can sip a coffee and use their free wifi.
Jump at Indoor Bounce House Places
We have a place near us that is basically a giant warehouse filled with various bounce houses. There are also Sky Zone trampoline parks in many areas. Either of these options are great for getting out allllll of that cooped up energy. Most of them also offer special bounce times for younger children so that they don’t get smushed by bigger kids.
Utilize YMCAs and Rec Centers
YMCAs and Rec Centers are often under-utilized facilities in the community. You could buy a day pass and go swimming for the day. You could attend their special events, classes, and open gyms. Check your local locations to see what they have to offer.
For more on this topic, check out the full Summer Safety & Activities collection
