Summer activities for kids that boost mental health

While summer offers plenty of opportunities for fun, it can also bring challenges including:

• Less structure. Kids may feel anxious when they don’t have a set routine.

• Seeing peers less. Not seeing their friends at school can leave some children feeling isolated or lonely.

• Changing schedules. Balancing work, camps and other activities can create stress for parents and kids.

The good news is that a little structure can go a long way, and summer is a great opportunity to encourage creative play and activities that boost a child’s mental health and development.

“It’s important to balance structure and flexibility,” says Sara Loftin, Clinical Therapist at Children's Health℠. “Many kids do better when they know what to expect, but giving them some freedom in choosing their activities also helps build independence.”

Screen-free activities for kids and families

Ideas for younger kids

• Explore different playgrounds in your area

• Go to local parks and look for different flowers, trees or birds

• Go to local splash pads

• Pick a new recipe every week and make it together

• Build a fort and read in it with a flashlight

• Do building block challenges

• Fly a kite

• Do a water balloon toss

• Make a craft out of something recycled

Ideas for older kids

• Make a card and mail it to a loved one

• Plan, shop for and cook a meal for the family

• Build something instead of buying it (a small ping pong table, a birdhouse)

• Take the bus with friends to the mall, park or favorite place in town

• Plan a social gathering with friends at a local pool or park

Ideas for all ages

• Family bike rides or picnics

• Pick a book to read as a family

• Create art projects or try DIY science experiments

• Try events and activities at your local library like story hours or Pokémon club

• Call a friend or family member who lives in a different city

• Start a weekly family board game night or movie night

• Make up a game together as a family

• Put on a talent show

• Do yoga, mindfulness or breathing exercises

• Create a photo scavenger hunt

• Watch the sunrise or sunset

• Hold a family karaoke night

As a parent, it's easy to focus on keeping the kids busy when you need to get things done. But summer is also a great time for unstructured play and family bonding.

“Prioritize connection over perfection,” Loftin says. “It doesn’t have to be this perfectly planned or expensive activity. Kids' mental health is strongly influenced by relationships so try to prioritize time for being together, even if that’s just cooking dinner or going for a walk.”

How to keep your child engaged in screen-free activities

When a child is struggling to get engaged in a new project or activity, try encouraging them for their effort to help them push through challenges and stay motivated. You might say:

• You’re working really hard.

• You’re not giving up.

• What do you think you should try next?

• What a creative idea.

• I can tell you put a lot of effort into this.

“Rather than striving for perfection or trying to please their parents, commenting on the effort rather than the final product can help teach kids that it feels good to work hard,” Loftin says.

Limiting screentime

Screens don’t need to be eliminated entirely in the summer, but balance is important.

“Concerns come up when screens start to replace sleep, movement, relationships or other activities,” Loftin says. “Screens can be one small part of a healthy summer and not the entire summer.”

Balancing routine and free time

Kids don't need every minute of summer planned. A simple daily routine can provide structure while still leaving plenty of time for creativity, exploration and play. Consider creating a flexible schedule that includes:

• Wake-up and bedtime

• Meals and daily routines

• Independent play ("me time")

• Family activities ("we time")

Build in open blocks of time for your child to choose activities that match their interests, such as:

• Outside time: Ride a bike, play at the park, garden or swim

• Movement: Dance, play a sport or create an obstacle course

• Focus: Read, build with Legos, color or do puzzles

• Helping: Feed a pet, water plants or help with simple chores

• Creative time: Draw, paint, journal or play an instrument

“Creative time is really important for kids because it can give kids another language to express their feelings, especially feelings they may not have words for yet,” Loftin says.

Support your child’s mental health

Children's Health is committed to helping kids thrive – physically, socially and emotionally. We offer play therapy for kids coping with chronic illness, child-parent relationship training classes and comprehensive mental health support for kids of all ages. Learn more about our programs to support mental, emotional and behavioral health.

You can also access emotional care and support from the comfort of your home. With a behavioral health care appointment, you can speak to a board-certified psychiatrist or licensed therapist through video technology. Learn more about Virtual Visit Behavioral Health.