10 Things to Do with Kids on Summer Nights
- Details
- Category: 99+1 Days of Summer
- Published: Monday, 05 July 2021 03:00
The kids have been out of school for a couple of weeks now, and you may find yourself already searching for new ways to keep your kids entertained as the sun goes down at night. I recently came across this article from Lisa at imom.com of activities to do with your kids on summer nights. She included lots of fun ideas, and I couldn't help but wanting to be a kid again after reading all of them!
Read more for some inspiration to keep your kids entertained and having fun on summer nights.
- Pajama Run
Give the kids their baths, have them put on their PJs, and then announce a surprise outing. Let them pile into the car with their pajamas (Bring shoes just in case!) and then take them for a favorite drive-thru treat. We love drive-thru milkshakes and slushies, a non-caffeinated treat, or a hot and fresh doughnut. - Tent Fun
Camping in the backyard is a no-fuss way to get kids away from screens for family time. Cook dinner on your grill and roast marshmallows for dessert. Spend the night telling stories around the firepit, singing favorite songs, or playing one of these games. Backyard family camping will go down as a favorite family memory. It really is one of the best things to do on a summer night. - Night Swimming
Whether it’s a pool or a Slip-n-Slide, water is just as fun on a summer night as a hot summer day. In fact, letting my kids stay up to swim at night feels like a huge treat and paints me as the good guy. It’s great exercise, a great energy burner, and it counts as a shower for the day. - Ding Dong Gift
This is the good rendition of “ding, dong ditch”—that old prank from time immemorial that involves kids ringing a neighbor’s doorbell and then running. We don’t allow that version. But in Ding Dong Gift, we put a basket of goodies (small water toys, summer movie treats, or fresh flowers) on a neighbor’s doorstep for them to discover when they open the door. Help kids contribute some of their allowances, write a special note, and then enjoy as they surprise a neighbor. - Nocturnal Noise Hunters
A whole new world wakes up as the sun goes down. Take a walk around the neighborhood at dusk or nightfall and listen for the music of the night. You may be able to identify the sounds of owls, crickets, cicadas, katydids, mockingbirds, frogs, bats, and more. - Meteor Watching
The Perseid meteor shower is one of the best annual meteor shows. This year, they’re visible from July 17 to August 26 and peak from August 11-12. The best way to watch is to find a dark, open field away from city lights. After midnight and just before dawn makes for great viewing. Spread out your quilt and lay back on your pillows to catch a falling star. - Thanking the Nightshift
Talk to your kids about the nurses and doctors, firemen and policemen, store clerks, and others who work overnight. Take a dozen doughnuts to your nearest fire station or emergency clinic and thank the staff for their service through the night. - Mothing
This is a fun and easy way to attract many varieties of moths. Hang a light-colored sheet up in your dark yard and shine a flashlight or electric lantern against the sheet. You’ll find moths almost immediately attracted and discover there are more than the common brown kind. One of my favorites is the giant, green Luna moth, which rivals the butterfly in beauty. - Zoo Night
Many zoos offer special nighttime admission, especially during the summer. Cooler evenings make a summer zoo visit more manageable and animals are often more active during the night. Visiting the zoo at night under the stars with the sounds of the night creates a wonderful family memory. If you're in the CHRI listening region, check out Parc Omega's nighttime experience! - Catching Fireflies
Also called lightning bugs or moon bugs, these tiny beetles come out in summer to mate. They light up to communicate and attract a mate, and for kids, they make an enchanted evening. Fireflies can be found all over the U.S. but are more likely to be found in woods adjacent to standing water.
