Although summer 2020 may be looking a little different from what we had all expected, there are still plenty of ways to entertain your children and create fun activities during these summer months. Here are five summertime activities you can do with children, even with the COVID-19 restrictions in place.

Get Crafty

The lockdown restrictions have meant that many of us are staying home with our children more than usual, so what better time than now to try out some of the latest arts and crafts game ideas. Making a scrapbook can be a great way to bond with your children as you play, helping them to create a memory book of their summer and giving them a way to express how they may be feeling too during this uncertain time. Indoor painting is another fun way to pass the time with children, too, with plenty of options when it comes to creating a homemade masterpiece this summer. Hand painting is a great way to get stuck in and can be used to make anything from animal characters to weird and wonderful geometric shapes. Why not make some handprint cards to send to family and friends during this time when we can’t all see each other as much, or get a headstart on your Christmas cards and make some hand-printed snowmen and Santas. Alternatively, depending on your home’s location and style, why not try making stained glass windows using acrylic enamel paint. That way, anyone walking by your home will be able to see your beautiful artwork, and your children can enjoy a rainbow effect as light shines in through all the different colors of their paintings. 

When it comes to keeping children occupied at home, having fun in the kitchen can be a great way to start. Children love to make – and munch! – home-baked treats and this messy activity can be an excellent way to learn a new skill as they prepare and bake along with you. There are so many easy recipes for kids to join in with, from making simple loaf cakes that can be decorated with fun and colorful icing sugar, cupcakes, and biscuits. If your children love cooking up a storm, then why not get them involved at dinnertime too? There are plenty of simple meals that children can help to make, especially ideas like creating your pizza where you can add as many different toppings as you like! This can also be an excellent time for children to try out new foods, and with long work commutes temporarily on hold, you can enjoy being able to sit down for a meal together as a family. Why not plan a picnic from home if you are lucky enough to have a garden or some outdoor space? You can help decide on snacks, create your favorite sandwiches, and then enjoy your garden in a whole new way. Don’t worry if you haven’t got a picnic rug; a few towels can do the job just as well. 

Homemade science experiments are another activity to keep your children occupied this summer without having to go outside. The erupting volcano experiment is always a favorite, which only needs vinegar, baking soda, and some food coloring added to your volcano mold (a cut-up bottle or playdough one will do!) to create this fizzy and fun experiment. One of the latest crazes for kids is slime, so why not try making some at home? It is easy and messy; you only need glue, food coloring, and some saline solution to create your super-squishy and colorful slime. Magic milk is a fun and arty way to experiment with science at home too. All you need again are just a few drops of food coloring, which you add to your bowl of milk as you sit back and watch it swirl and expand into a galaxy of colors. You can also use pipe cleaners to make your very own crystals. Bend the pipe cleaners into fun shapes such as stars or hearts, then cover with a borax solution, and by morning they will be covered with colorful little crystals! 

Although we have all been advised to stay home as much as possible, that doesn’t mean not leaving the house at all. Exercise is still essential, especially if you are looking after young children at home all day with lots of energy! Taking a bike ride as a family can be a great way to relieve the lockdown blues and get you moving. You don’t need to go far, even just cycling around your local area and respecting the socially distanced rules can be a fun activity for you to enjoy with your children. If you have a driveway or garage, washing the car together can be another fun activity this summer. You could always set up a family TIkTok account and have a go at some of their fun dance challenges if you are feeling a bit more adventurous.