5 Ways to Keep Kids Entertained This Summer

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the United States and the globe, many families are wondering how this summer will stack up to years past. While sleepaway camps and sports may be postponed for the foreseeable future, worry not moms and dads, there are still plenty of engaging activities available to keep your kids entertained in Summer 2020.

From virtual museum tours to new skills and hobbies, our list of summer activities surely has something for everyone!

1. Virtual fun

While European summer trips and even visits to local attractions may have to be pushed back until next year, you’ll be glad to know the family can still experience some of the missed-out memories. Because so many businesses have had to rethink their operations to adapt to post-pandemic life, many have gotten really creative with their current offerings.

From live zoo cameras to online summer camps and museum tours, there’s tons of kid-friendly fun to be had right from the comfort of your playroom. Check out these fun ideas to get a start on your summer schedule:

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
- Guided tour through the museum’s collection of Van Gogh’s most famous works.
Metropolitan Museum of Art (MetKids), New York City
- Interactive museum tour with topics such as, inventions, history, and fashion.
The British Museum, London
- History-focused interactive tour rich with ancient artifacts.
NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland
- Tour wind tunnels, labs, and more.

2. Games and magic

There’s plenty of fun and engaging activities to be done online, but monitoring screen time is important as well. Thankfully, games and magic are always there to save those long summer days. All you need is a deck of cards, set of dice, or a board game, and they’ll be locked-in for hours — or at least the time it takes to cook dinner!

Here are a few of our favorites:

Go Fish – card game
Spoons – card game
Print out these easy card trick instructions to keep the kids engaged and entertained.
Yahtzee – dice game
Farkle – dice game
Pig – dice game

3. Outdoor activities

Spending time outside is essential for kids to learn and play, especially in the summertime. And luckily, the outdoors are arguably the safest space for families to enjoy in the midst of the pandemic!

Check out these fun ideas:

Teach your kids how to plant a garden — this is a fun way for kids to learn about nature and healthy eating!
Go for a beach, lake, or pool day — make sure to cover some water safety basics and apply sunscreen throughout your time there.
Have a picnic — this is a relaxing activity that’s perfect for social-distancing with extended relatives or close friends. Just be sure to look up your region’s recommended precautions ahead of time.
Go camping — if the family needs a change of scenery, opt for a camping trip! You can plan your days around hikes, water activities, and campfires.
Try geocaching — this fun daytime activity allows kids to explore outside while looking for treasure hidden in the local environment — plus, they get to learn the basics of compass and map-reading!

4. Learning opportunities

Between all of the outdoor adventures and online exploration, summer is also a great time to get a head start on the school year. To keep your little ones’ minds fresh, make sure to build in some learning engagements throughout the season:

Best kid’s books for Summer 2020
- Just Like Me by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
- The Box Turtle by Vanessa Roeder
- Cool Cuts by Mechal Renee Roe
- The Bug Girl: A True Story by Sophie Spencer and Margaret McNamara
- The Seed of Compassion by the Dalai Lama
- Grandma’s Gardens by Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton
- Black is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy
- We are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
- The World Needs More Purple People by Benjamin Hart and Kristen Bell
Best kid’s learning apps
- Duolingo
- ClassDojo
- YouTube Kids
- DragonBox
- PBS Kids Games