Summer Vacation Activities for Aunts, Uncles & Kids

Fun summer vacation activities for aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, including day trips, beach adventures, camping, road trips, museums, backyard campouts, local attractions and summer bucket-list ideas.

Summer vacation is the perfect excuse to slow down, get outside and spend more time together.

And you don't have to book an expensive vacation or travel across the country to make summer memorable.

A day trip to a nearby town, an afternoon at the beach, a backyard campout, a museum you've never visited or a spontaneous ice cream adventure can become the highlight of the summer.

At Funcles & Faunties™, we believe summer memories are less about where you go and more about who you experience them with.

Whether you have one afternoon together or several weeks of summer vacation, there are plenty of ways to turn ordinary days into adventures.

What Are Fun Summer Vacation Activities for Kids?

Summer activities can be as simple or adventurous as you want.

Try:

  • Beach days

  • Day trips

  • Road trips

  • Camping

  • Backyard campouts

  • Hiking

  • Biking

  • Swimming

  • Museums

  • Zoos and aquariums

  • Local attractions

  • Amusement parks

  • Farmers markets

  • Food adventures

  • Outdoor movies

  • Picnics

  • Nature walks

  • Water activities

  • Summer crafts

  • Stargazing

  • Summer scavenger hunts

  • Creating a summer bucket list

The best activity depends on the child's age, interests, your budget and how much time you have.

You don't need a perfect itinerary. You just need a little time together.

Take a Summer Day Trip

You don't have to go far to feel like you're on vacation.

Pick a nearby town, beach, park, museum or attraction you've never explored.

Turn the trip into an adventure by letting your niece or nephew help plan it.

Ask:

Where should we go?

What should we eat?

What should we see?

What's one new thing we should try?

You might discover that the best part of the trip isn't the destination.

It's the drive, the music, the snacks and the conversations along the way.

Have a Beach Adventure

If you're near the coast, a beach day can provide hours of summer fun.

Pack:

  • Towels

  • Sunscreen

  • Water

  • Snacks

  • Beach toys

  • A frisbee

  • A ball

  • Books

  • A camera

Try:

  • Building sandcastles

  • Looking for shells

  • Playing beach games

  • Taking a walk

  • Having a picnic

  • Swimming where appropriate

  • Taking photos

  • Watching the sunset

For older kids and teens, turn the day into a challenge.

Who can build the most creative sandcastle?

Who can find the most interesting shell?

Who can take the best sunset photo?

Go Camping

Camping can turn a normal summer weekend into a real adventure.

You could go to a campground or keep things simple with a backyard campout.

Try:

  • Setting up a tent

  • Making a campsite

  • Cooking outdoors

  • Telling stories

  • Playing cards

  • Stargazing

  • Taking a nature walk

  • Making s'mores where permitted

  • Sleeping under the stars

For younger children, a backyard campout can be just as exciting as a campground.

Have a Backyard Campout

Don't have camping gear?

You can still create the experience.

Set up a tent or blanket fort in the backyard.

Bring:

  • Sleeping bags

  • Pillows

  • Flashlights

  • Snacks

  • Books

  • Games

Then spend the evening outside.

Look for stars.

Tell stories.

Listen to nighttime sounds.

Watch the sunset.

For younger kids, simply sleeping outside can feel like a major adventure.

Create a Summer Bucket List

Sit down together and make a list of things you want to do before summer ends.

Include a mix of big and small adventures.

Your list could include:

  • Go to the beach

  • Have a picnic

  • Go camping

  • Visit a museum

  • Try a new restaurant

  • Make homemade ice cream

  • Take a day trip

  • Go hiking

  • Have a backyard campout

  • Watch an outdoor movie

  • Go swimming

  • Visit a farmers market

  • Take a road trip

  • Watch the sunset

  • Go stargazing

  • Try something neither of you has done before

Put the list somewhere visible and check things off throughout the summer.

Go on a Road Trip

A road trip doesn't have to last a week.

Even a few hours in the car can become an adventure.

Create a playlist together.

Pack snacks.

Play travel games.

Stop somewhere you've never been.

Try a restaurant you've never visited.

Take photos.

Let your niece or nephew choose one of the stops.

For older kids and teens, give them a map and let them help plan the route.

Explore a Museum

Summer is a great time to visit a museum you've never explored.

Look for:

  • Science museums

  • Children's museums

  • Art museums

  • History museums

  • Natural history museums

  • Transportation museums

  • Local cultural museums

Don't feel like you have to see everything.

Choose a few exhibits and explore them together.

Ask questions.

Talk about what you see.

Let your niece or nephew decide what they want to investigate.

Visit a Local Attraction

You don't have to visit a famous tourist destination to have a memorable day.

Explore attractions close to home, such as:

  • Zoos

  • Aquariums

  • Botanical gardens

  • Mini golf

  • Water parks

  • Farms

  • Nature centers

  • Historic sites

  • Amusement parks

  • Local festivals

  • Outdoor markets

Look for places you've driven past but never actually visited.

You may discover a new favorite tradition.

Plan a Food Adventure

Summer vacation is a great excuse to make food part of the adventure.

Try:

  • Ice cream shops

  • Farmers markets

  • Food trucks

  • New restaurants

  • Local bakeries

  • Pizza places

  • Smoothie shops

  • International restaurants

  • Picnic lunches

Let your niece or nephew choose the destination.

For older kids, create a food challenge.

Try something neither of you has eaten before.

Have a Picnic

A picnic can be as simple as packing sandwiches and heading to a park.

Bring:

  • A blanket

  • Snacks

  • Fruit

  • Sandwiches

  • Drinks

  • Games

  • A book

Then put your phones away and enjoy the time together.

You can even make the picnic part of a bigger adventure by combining it with:

  • A hike

  • A museum

  • A beach day

  • A bike ride

  • A park visit

  • A nature walk

Try Something Neither of You Has Done Before

Summer is the perfect time to experiment.

Try:

  • A new sport

  • A cooking class

  • Painting

  • Photography

  • Kayaking

  • Mini golf

  • Rock climbing

  • A dance class

  • Fishing

  • Gardening

  • A new recipe

  • A new hobby

The goal isn't to be good at it.

The goal is to experience it together.

And if you're both terrible at it?

Even better.

You'll have something to laugh about.

Summer Vacation Activities by Age

The best summer activities change as kids grow.

Ages 2–4

Keep summer adventures simple and flexible.

Try:

  • Playground trips

  • Splash pads

  • Beach play

  • Nature walks

  • Ice cream outings

  • Picnics

  • Simple day trips

  • Children's museums

  • Bubbles

  • Backyard camping

  • Water play

  • Outdoor crafts

[Explore Activities for Ages 2–4 →]

Ages 4–6

Kids this age are ready for hands-on adventures.

Try:

  • Beach days

  • Zoo visits

  • Museums

  • Camping

  • Nature walks

  • Scavenger hunts

  • Baking

  • Swimming

  • Day trips

  • Mini golf

  • Farmers markets

  • Backyard campouts

[Explore Activities for Ages 4–6 →]

Ages 6–8

Introduce bigger adventures and new skills.

Try:

  • Hiking

  • Camping

  • Fishing

  • Biking

  • Road trips

  • Science museums

  • Cooking

  • Sports

  • Water activities

  • Photography

  • Day trips

  • Outdoor games

[Explore Activities for Ages 6–8 →]

Ages 8–10

Give older kids more opportunities to make decisions.

Try:

  • Road trips

  • Geocaching

  • Camping

  • Escape rooms

  • Cooking challenges

  • Hiking

  • Photography

  • Day trips

  • Sporting events

  • Museums

  • Outdoor adventures

Let them help plan the itinerary.

[Explore Activities for Ages 8–10 →]

Tweens

Summer is a great time to let tweens have more control over the experience.

Try:

  • Shopping adventures

  • Beach days

  • Road trips

  • Concerts

  • Sporting events

  • Hiking

  • Escape rooms

  • Food adventures

  • Photography

  • Gaming

  • Camping

  • Day trips

  • Trying new restaurants

Ask them:

"If you could plan one summer adventure, what would we do?"

Then see if you can make it happen.

[Explore Activities for Tweens →]

Teens

Summer gives teenagers more opportunities to experience the world with you.

Try:

  • Road trips

  • Travel

  • Concerts

  • Sporting events

  • Hiking

  • Camping

  • Restaurants

  • Coffee dates

  • Photography

  • Volunteering

  • Classes

  • New hobbies

  • Beach days

  • Exploring a new city

And sometimes the best plan is simply:

"Want to hang out?"

[Explore Activities for Teens →]

Free Summer Vacation Activities

You don't need a vacation budget to have summer adventures.

Try:

  • Hiking

  • Beach days

  • Nature walks

  • Picnics

  • Stargazing

  • Backyard camping

  • Bike rides

  • Parks

  • Outdoor games

  • Neighborhood exploration

  • Watching the sunset

  • Free community events

  • Library programs

  • Homemade water games

  • Photography walks

Some of the best summer memories can cost absolutely nothing.

Budget-Friendly Summer Vacation Activities

Looking for affordable summer activities?

Try:

  • Picnic lunches

  • Library programs

  • Free museum days

  • Local festivals

  • Hiking

  • Beach days

  • Backyard camping

  • Homemade pizza nights

  • Bike rides

  • Farmers markets

  • Nature photography

  • Free outdoor movies

  • Thrift-store adventures

  • DIY crafts

Give yourselves a small budget and turn it into a challenge.

"What adventure can we create for $20?"

Rainy Summer Vacation Activities

Summer doesn't always mean sunshine.

When rain changes your plans, try:

  • Baking

  • Movie marathons

  • Board games

  • Indoor scavenger hunts

  • Museums

  • Cooking

  • Crafts

  • Puzzles

  • Indoor mini golf

  • Building forts

  • Reading

  • Creating a summer scrapbook

A rainy day can become one of the most memorable days of the trip.

Create a Summer Tradition

Summer is perfect for traditions.

Maybe every year you:

Take a beach trip.

Have a backyard campout.

Visit the same ice cream shop.

Take one special day trip.

Make a summer bucket list.

Take a photo in the same place.

Cook one special meal together.

Try something neither of you has done before.

The activity may change as your niece or nephew grows.

The tradition can stay.

Summer Activities for Aunts & Nieces

Create summer traditions that are just for you and your niece.

Try:

  • Beach days

  • Shopping adventures

  • Baking

  • Craft afternoons

  • Photography walks

  • Ice cream dates

  • Day trips

  • Camping

  • Spa-style afternoons

  • Restaurant adventures

  • Summer bucket lists

Let her help choose the adventure.

Summer Activities for Uncles & Nephews

Create summer adventures that give you opportunities to explore and learn together.

Try:

  • Camping

  • Fishing

  • Hiking

  • Biking

  • Sports

  • Cooking

  • Road trips

  • Museums

  • Gaming

  • Photography

  • Beach days

  • Day trips

And don't be afraid to try something completely new together.

The Best Summer Vacation May Be the One You Didn't Plan

Sometimes the best summer memories happen when the plan changes.

You get lost.

It starts raining.

The restaurant is closed.

The hike takes longer than expected.

Someone gets ice cream all over their shirt.

The playlist becomes ridiculous.

And somehow, those are the moments everyone remembers.

Don't worry about creating a perfect summer.

Create a summer you'll remember.

Make This Summer Count

Summer goes quickly.

Kids grow.

Interests change.

Schedules get busier.

You won't always have the same amount of time together.

So take the day trip.

Go for the ice cream.

Build the terrible sandcastle.

Sleep in the backyard.

Try the weird food.

Take the picture.

Let them choose the adventure.

Because the best part of summer vacation isn't necessarily where you go.

It's who gets to come along.

Ready for Your Next Summer Adventure?

Whether you're a Funcle, Fauntie, aunt, uncle, godparent or another special adult in a child's life, summer gives you countless opportunities to make memories.

You don't need a plane ticket.

You don't need a big budget.

You don't even need a detailed plan.

Pick an idea. Make some time. Go have fun.

And remember:

Never Forget to Play.

More Ways to Find Your Next Activity

By Age

[Activities for Ages 2–4 →]
[Activities for Ages 4–6 →]
[Activities for Ages 6–8 →]
[Activities for Ages 8–10 →]
[Activities for Tweens →]
[Activities for Teens →]

By Type

[Indoor Activities →]
[Outdoor Activities →]
[Educational Activities →]
[Creative Activities →]
[Adventure Activities →]
[Free Activities →]
[Budget-Friendly Activities →]
[Travel Activities →]
[Food & Cooking Activities →]
[Arts & Crafts Activities →]

By Season

[Spring Activities →]
[Summer Activities →]
[Fall Activities →]
[Winter Activities →]

By Occasion

[Birthday Activities →]
[Christmas Activities →]
[Halloween Activities →]
[First Day of School Activities →]
[Summer Vacation Activities →]
[Rainy Day Activities →]