With warm weather and, if you’re lucky, a bit more free time this summer, you can turn everyday moments into opportunities for movement. Whether it’s playing in the yard, going for a walk or enjoying water games, staying active helps build healthy habits and lasting memories. This list of simple, family-friendly activities will keep everyone moving, laughing, and bonding all summer long, with no special equipment and only a little bit of planning required.
- Swim time and pool games at hotels or vacation rentals
- Nature walks or hikes at local parks or trails (use www.traillink.com to find a trail near you!)
- Bike rides around the neighborhood or on family-friendly paths
- Beach games like frisbee, paddleball or volleyball
- Scavenger hunts in the backyard, park or on a hike (try to find an acorn, a piece of blue trash and a feather in 10 minutes)
- Sprinkler play or slip-n-slide in the yard (many cities open up fire hydrants on hot days!)
- Pool games such as Marco Polo, water tag or races
- Water balloon toss for cooling off and moving around
- Backyard obstacle courses using cones, ropes or toys (and if you don’t have those items, you can get creative. What about an obstacle course made out of pots and pans?)
- Lawn games like sack races, hula hoop contests or limbo
- Dance parties, either indoors or outdoors (What’s the song of the summer?)
- Night walks or flashlight tag
- Stargazing with stretching or light yoga (check out the meteor shower calendar at www.amsmeteors.org/meteor-showers/meteor-shower-calendar/)
- Campfire games like charades or Simon Says with movement
- Visits to different playgrounds in the area
- Pickup games of basketball, soccer or catch
- Free community fitness classes like yoga or Zumba in the park (many libraries offer free movement programming)
- Rest stop races or stretching while traveling
- Walking or biking tours on vacation instead of driving