Eco-Friendly Summer Activities for Kids

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10 Exciting Eco-Friendly Summer Activities for Kids

When the days are long and the weather is warm, it’s a sure sign that summer is here. If you want to encourage your children to get outside and have some fun, these exciting eco-friendly summer activities for kids can help.

These activities will get your kids up and moving outside where they can enjoy some fresh air and possibly even learn something new. Best of all, since these activities are eco-friendly, you don’t have to worry about excess waste or harm to the environment.

Don’t forget, if your children end up stuck inside because of bad weather, you can check out these awesome eco-friendly indoor activities for kids and keep them entertained until the sun comes out again.

1. Plant a Garden

Planting a garden is one of the best eco-friendly summer activities for kids because it offers numerous benefits. First, there are plenty of surprising mental and physical health benefits from gardening.

It’s also a great way for kids to learn about nature and where our food comes from. Plus, they’ll feel an amazing sense of pride when you can use something they grew in one of your family’s favorite recipes.

To help your kids get started on their garden, pick out some of these best vegetables for a children’s garden.

2. Plant Some Flowers

Two large containers of perennial garden flowers.

Fruits and vegetables aren’t the only things your kids can grow during the summer. They can also plant wildflowers to help the pollinators.

For a fun summer activity, get some of these Throw & Grow Wildflower Seed Balls so your kids can plant them in spaces that need a bright and happy pop of color. Once the flowers start to grow, your kids can also keep track of the bee and butterfly species they spot around the flowers.

3. Do Green Kid Crafts Boxes

Just because your kids are out of school for the summer, that doesn’t mean they have to stop learning. Instead, get them these Green Kid Crafts activity boxes.

My son gets these boxes, and he absolutely loves them. I’m also really pleased with the quality of activities included in each one.

Each themed box comes with an educator-approved book, a magazine with hands-on activities, special STEAM projects, and the materials your kids need to make the projects.

Best of all, the company is partnering with One Tree Planted to plant one tree for every order. So not only are your kids having fun and learning, but you’re also helping to change the planet for the better at the same time.

4. Make Natural Crafts

Flat lay of natural crafts for kids pages

Summertime is the perfect time for kids to work on their creativity with arts and crafts projects. Unfortunately, many traditional arts and crafts supplies can contain toxic ingredients you don’t want your children playing with.

If you’re not sure what type of safe and non-toxic crafts you can make with your kids, check out this collection of natural crafts for kids. You’ll find a variety of awesome projects that kids will have a blast creating.

This includes plenty of projects for playing outside, such as natural sidewalk chalk and non-toxic bubble solution. Best of all, you can rest easy knowing these projects are made with natural ingredients!

5. Take a Walk

Summer is one of the absolute best times to get outside and go for a walk. Whether you’re taking a hike in the mountains or simply going for a stroll in your neighborhood, your kids will benefit greatly from a walk.

Study after study continues to show just how great walking is for our health. More research is also indicating that spending time outside can help children reduce stress and anxiety and increase their ability to pay attention.

6. Go for a Bike Ride

If you’re looking for another great way to get kids outside and active, go for a bike ride. There are plenty of parks around the country that offer bike paths. Additionally, more and more cities are starting to create dedicated bike lanes, so you can even do some urban sightseeing from a bike.

No matter where you decide to ride your bike, just make sure you don’t forget to pick up some of the best natural sunscreen to protect your family’s skin.

7. Make Sponge Water Bombs

Having a water balloon fight is a classic summer activity and a nice way to cool down. Unfortunately, it’s also an incredibly wasteful activity that’s terrible for the environment.

Instead of constantly buying new water balloons that take eons to breakdown and contribute to our growing microplastic pollution problem, you can make sponge water bombs.

Sponge water bombs are soft and just as fun to throw at people as water balloons. Even better, you can use them again and again, so you don’t have to worry about creating any waste.

8. Sign Up for an Online Nature Camp

No matter where you live, your kids can learn more about the amazing power of plants when you sign them up for this Online Nature Camp: Herbalism for Kids workshop. This 4-lesson educational program was created by the herbalists, educators, and parents at the Herbal Academy.

It covers various herbal topics from simple herb gardening and basic botany to an introductory to wellness and self-care practices. Best of all, the lessons can be completed on or offline, and everything is so fun and interesting it doesn’t feel like work at all!

9. Make a Bird Feeder

Summer means lots of hungry birds hopping around and looking for something to eat. If you want to help out your feathered friends, your kids can build and decorate a bird feeder for them.

Once the bird feeder is hanging in your yard, get your children a book about birds in your area. They can then watch their bird feeder and try to identify the birds that stop by for a bite to eat.

10. Go to the Farmers Market

Summer typically means plenty of fresh produce. Instead of doing weekly trips to the grocery store to get your food, take your kids on a trip to your local farmers market.

You’ll be helping your community by supporting your local growers and makers, and your kids will have a chance to learn more about food production. Plus, you never know what type of sweet treats you might find at the market, such as baked goods, local honey, and freshly made ice cream.