It is summer! But…is anything really different than it was 3 months ago? While things may be more “open” than they have been in months, many of us are still hanging around home to be cautious.
If you are one of the many parents still struggling to keep your kids entertained, here are a few ideas from educational to just for fun to keep kids busy at home.
Educational
The Nintendo Switch Lite is difficult to find in stock these days (we found some here!), but it makes for great family play and there are lots of educational games available to keep your children engaged and learning while still having fun.
Your little animal lovers will love hearing the amazing art of Eric Carle come alive! This sound book includes 30 animal themed sound buttons to press and captivating creatures on each page making Hear Bear Roar an amazing and interactive adventure!
Build 11 different machines with these 58 Lego pieces in this Gadget Book. It will get kids motivated for S.T.E.M. learning.
Shop Orange Blossoms has 3 pretend x-rays for hands-on learning about the human body.
Build a sightseeing adventure when you visit the Mill with Thomas! Thomas loves seeing all the sights around the Island of Sodor — and your little one can too when they visit the mill with their favorite blue engine! Use the blocks and special parts to build the big windmill. Then, send Thomas puffing past as you spin the windmill arms to make them go ’round and ’round! There’s even a bag of flour that you can load onto Thomas’ back. Made just for little hands, this easy-to-build set comes with a buildable Thomas that features special windmill-themed decoration. Ideal for ages 1 to 5.
It can be hard to keep kids focused on school while learning from home, but some fun new supplies like these gel pens might make it a little more interesting. Have them keep a journal over the summer to keep their writing and reading skills fresh.
Books like All Around Bustletown are a perfect summer imagination starter. These remind of the picture books I would carry around as a child staring at the colorful drawings and dreaming up stories. We had the opportunity to review this new series, and my kids loved looking at these captivating picture books. There are books for each season showing the essence of daily life through photos.
The board books are durable and feature large, easy-to-turn pages with colorful drawings that will capture your kiddo’s attention. These have been especially handy for my boys. My youngest is too young to read and my oldest is just learning, but the two can look at these books together and imagine all sorts of stories about the characters bustling about town.
Work on STEM skills with this 12 in 1 CIRO Solar Robot. It comes with 190 pieces to build 12 different robots. Each design harnesses the power of the sun to operate. Kids will practice their STEM skills without even realizing they are learning.
Crafts
Check out Etsy for the perfect activity box like this one from Busy Kid Co. When you just need a little time to yourself, let your kids explore everything inside this fun crafting kit.
Snap Pop Beads will keep little hands busy for hours making fashion creations that can be used over and over.
Kids can make their own water globes with the easy kit. There is enough to make three custom water globes. Perfect for a rainy afternoon project.
This 144 piece kit from JOYIN Klever Kits has everything needed for easy-to-make wooden race cars.
Start painting and growing with this Dan and Darci Paint and Flower Growing Kit. Kids can create their own planter and tend to their very own garden.
Just For Fun
How adorable is this camp fire kit! On those long rainy days inside, the kids can make s’mores and roast hot dogs inside.
LCR Left Center Right is a fun, fast-paced dice game that you won’t be able to put down! Each game includes 3 specialty marked LCR dice, 24 playing chips and instructions. Players roll the dice to determine where they pass their chips. The last player with chips is the winner and wins the center pot.
The Ultimate DIY Slime Kit has everything you need to make lots of gooey slime!
Young Jedi can mix up the fun with this intergalactic Han Solo Mr. Potato Head figure! Kids can style this spud like one of their favorite Star Wars characters with pieces based on Star Wars’ Han Solo. Imagine getting him ready to “fry” off into the furthest reaches of the galaxy! The set includes 12 pieces to mix and mash and features Star Wars-inspired pieces including a character base, torso, hair piece, and blaster accessory. Kids will love letting their imaginations roam as they discover endless creative possibilities!
Also look for Mr. Potato Head Chew-Bake-A figure, with pieces inspired by Star Wars’ Chewbacca (sold separately). Most parts are compatible with other Mr. Potato Head and Mrs. Potato Head toys (each sold separately).
If you have a kiddo that loves to play with dolls, this salon chair set adds a whole new element to play time.
Kids can make their very own LEGO movie! The Klutz Lego Make Your Own Movie Activity Kit comes with Legos, instructions, and free apps for kids to make their own movie.
You can be a Unicorn Pet Doctor! The Barbie Dreamtopia Kiss and Care Unicorn Doctor Set comes with an adorable plush pink unicorn featuring a magical light-up horn! The super soft unicorn plush also features glitter-filled wings, gold-colored hoofs and a shimmery bow.
Get building with this Straw Constructor set! It comes with 300 straws and connectors for kids to create just about any design.
Outdoors
Send the kids outside for some adventure with this Explorer Kit that has a crank flashlight, magnifying glass, and more to keep kids learning and moving.
Winter has finally broken, and kids can finally get outside for some fun. Give them an Adventure Force Tsunami Drencher Water Blaster for some ol’ fashion water gun fights to cool off. This super drencher isn’t like the simple dollar store water guns I had as a kid – It shoots water up to 51 feet!
We had the chance to test out the water blaster, and my boys couldn’t get enough. The east fill and pump design make it optimal for any water gun fight.
These rechargeable ball drones light and fly with intelligent technology. Kids can use the remote or their hands to keep the drones in the air.
SUPRBIRD Parachute Toys are free throwing parachute men that kids will love tossing around the yard this summer. They are durable and lightweight making them perfect for some imaginative outdoor fun.
Go big or go home! This Doctor Dolphin inflatable slide has spray action and a durable build to withstand summer play season after season. It has a quick setup and easy take down and store. Your kids will have their own mini water park right in their backyard.