Summer Holiday Activities for Kids | Creative & Outdoor Fun

The sun is out (most of the time), the school shoes are kicked off, and your little ones are bouncing off the walls with that unmistakable summer buzz. It’s time to swap lunchboxes for picnic hampers, reading records for wild adventures, and homework for heaps of giggles.

But we know what you’re thinking — how on earth do you keep them entertained for six whole weeks without resorting to cartoons 24/7?

Don’t worry — Happydesigner has got your back! We’ve put together the ultimate guide to what’s hot this summer when it comes to keeping kids happy, creative, and beautifully bored in the best possible way. From mud pies to imagination days, let’s make this summer unforgettable.

Key Takeaways

Nature-based play is a simple and joyful way to boost creativity, resilience, and wellbeing — from mini-beast hunts to garden camping.
Creative crafts like friendship bracelets, clay critters, and rock painting offer screen-free fun that supports fine motor skills and imagination.
Imagination Days are on the rise, encouraging screen-free storytelling with themes like pirates, space explorers, and teddy bear picnics.
Messy play activities such as water balloon painting, mud kitchens, and oobleck slime provide sensory-rich experiences that are both educational and entertaining.
Low-cost fun is everywhere — from chalk obstacle courses and reusable water balloons to DIY storybooks and summer scrapbooks that preserve magical memories.

Cardboard + tinfoil + cereal boxes = a space explorer’s toolkit.
Imagination Days let kids lead their own screen-free adventures — and they’re loving it.

Outdoorsy Adventures

British summer might not always come with blazing sunshine, but there’s still plenty of magic to be found in the great outdoors.

Whether it’s a stroll in the woods or a game of hide and seek in the garden, being outside boosts mood, builds resilience, and gives children the freedom to run, jump, and pretend they’re part of a jungle expedition.

Try These Nature-Fuelled Activities

Mini-Beast Hunts – Grab a magnifying glass and explore what’s wiggling in your garden or park.
Nature Art – Collect leaves, feathers, and petals to create colourful collages or forest fairies.
Garden Camping – Set up a tent or build a blanket fort under the stars. Bonus points for marshmallows!
Cloud Spotting – Lie back and let the sky be your imagination canvas. What shapes can you see?

What to Pack for a Pocket-Sized Summer Adventure

Item	Why It’s Handy
Magnifying glass	Bug hunts and nature discovery
Small sketchpad	Drawing what you see
Reusable water bottle	Stay hydrated on the go
Snacks	Fuel for explorers!
Plasters	Because scraped knees happen sometimes

Creative Craze Corner

Crafting is cool again – and this summer, it’s more vibrant than ever! Kids all over are getting stuck into artsy activities that are affordable, screen-free and fabulously fun.

Crafty Trends That Kids Are Loving

Friendship Bracelets – Classic, colourful, and great for fine motor skills.
Air-Dry Clay Critters – Sculpt little monsters, animals or fairy garden bits.
Rock Painting – Decorate and hide them on walks. Join your local rock swap group!
Paper Plate Art – From jellyfish to lion masks, a paper plate can become anything.

The best bit? Crafting boosts creativity, storytelling and calm focus – and you get a fridge full of masterpieces to show off.

The Rise of the “Imagination Day”

This one’s a Happydesigner favourite – a whole day devoted to pure, screen-free imagination. No toys, no gadgets, no plans. Just stories, ideas and good old-fashioned make-believe.

Set a theme and let the fun unfold! It’s the perfect recipe for rainy days, sunny days, or “I’m bored” days.

Imagination Day Ideas

Pirates & Mermaids – Build a cardboard boat and hunt for treasure.
Knights & Dragons – Create shields, paper helmets, and defend the castle!
Space Explorer – Use tinfoil and cereal boxes to build a rocket.
Teddy Bear Picnic – Host an afternoon tea for your fluffiest guests.

Top tip: Download our Imagination Day Planner to help little ones bring their story to life with costumes, props, and even sound effects.

Summer Reading That Sizzles

Summer is ideal for slow days under trees with a good book in hand. Whether it’s a silly story, a magical mystery or a tale of adventure, reading keeps minds whirring and imaginations glowing.

5 Brilliant Books to Pack in the Picnic Basket

“Grimwood” by Nadia Shireen – Wild, witty woodland fun.
“The Explorer” by Katherine Rundell – Jungle adventures and daring escapes.
“You’re a Bad Man, Mr Gum!” by Andy Stanton – Laugh-out-loud silliness.
“The Girl Who Stole an Elephant” by Nizrana Farook – A treasure-filled quest.
“Oi Frog!” by Kes Gray – Rhyming brilliance for younger readers.

Why not pair reading time with a drawing activity or act out a favourite scene?

Get Messy!

Messy play is one of the best ways to engage little ones – especially when you can do it outside (so your carpets stay safe!).

Marvellously Messy Ideas

Water Balloon Painting – Fill balloons with paint and let them splat onto paper (or grass!).
Mud Kitchen Magic – Mix petals, mud and sticks into a “wild soup.”
Frozen Toy Rescue – Freeze small toys in containers and let kids melt or chip them out.
Oobleck Slime – Equal parts cornflour and water – it’s a liquid AND a solid!

Messy play helps with sensory development, creative thinking and emotional regulation. Plus, it’s hilarious!

Budget-Friendly Family Fun

Fun doesn’t need to be fancy. With a bit of imagination, everyday moments can become adventures.

10 Things To Do Before Lunch That Don’t Cost a Penny

Make a daisy chain crown
Go on a nature scavenger hunt
Build a den in the living room
Have a teddy bear fashion show
Sketch your dream playground
Create your own dance routine
Try yoga for kids on the lawn
Play “restaurant” with lunch
Write a postcard to your future self
Count how many different birds you can spot

Libraries, museums and local community centres often run free or low-cost summer activities too. Keep an eye on local noticeboards!

What’s Trending in Summer Play

Here’s what’s flying off the shelves and filling up toyboxes this summer (and yes, most of it’s educational and fun!).

Toy/Activity	Why It’s Hot This Summer
Reusable water balloons	Eco-friendly splash fun – no bits to pick up
Solar print kits	Teaches science + makes cool art
Giant bubble wands	Huge bubbles = huge smiles
Chalk obstacle courses	Easy to create and great for coordination

Parents are loving these activities for encouraging active, creative, social play – and most don’t need batteries!

Mini Makers: Storytime in Their Own Words

Here at Happydesigner, we adore turning children’s stories into picture book masterpieces. But why not let your child become their own author this summer?

How to Create a Summer Storybook

Fold A4 paper in half to make your “book”
Create a cover with title and “by [child’s name]”
Think of a character – it could be a cat, a superhero or a marshmallow!
Start with a problem (“Oh no, the ice cream machine is broken!”)
Draw or write what happens next… and how it all ends

Children can also keep a “Summer Scrapbook” with:

Drawings
Photos
Ticket stubs
Leaf rubbings
Short journal entries

These treasures are not only great for literacy and memory – they become precious keepsakes for years to come.

Soak Up the Fun

Summer holidays don’t need to be perfect – they just need to be theirs. A little mud, a lot of laughter, some silly games, and the occasional ice lolly before dinner.

At Happydesigner, we believe in the magic of childhood. That means letting imaginations run wild, slowing down, and embracing creativity in every messy, magical moment.

So, whether your summer brings sunshine or showers, may it be filled with giggles, stories, and unforgettable family memories.

Bring your child’s imagination to life with a one-of-a-kind picture book created just for them by the friendly team at Happydesigner.

Summer Holiday Fun – What’s Hot This Summer