Summertime Activities for Kids

Summer break is upon us – What to Do With the Kids?

It’s the age-old question that parents in Greenville, SC face every year: How do we keep the kids occupied this summer? Well, there are always the biggies, such as theme parks, camping or beach vacations. But, with work and other obligations getting in the way, not to mention your budget, you can’t always get away from home. So, we here at Advisors Insurance Agency have compiled a list of some summertime activities that are both educational and fun — and that your kids are sure to enjoy!

Art Projects

There are a number of ways you can encourage the young artist in your family, from programs and offerings at local museums (for example, Greenville County Museum of Art offers Summer art camps for children ages 5-14) to do-it-yourself art projects. Try these ideas from The Artful Parent, a website focused on encouraging art and creativity in children:
  • Splatter painting
Spread an old sheet out in the yard, grab some watered-down acrylic paint and a brush or a spoon. Then, have your kids dip the brush or spoon and flick their wrist to splatter the paint! Try different colors and motions to make interesting patterns.
  • Body painting
Kids love to paint themselves! Washable, nontoxic tempera paint is just the ticket, and it comes off with soap and water.
  • Grape and toothpick sculptures
This is as easy as it sounds. Get a bowl of grapes and a box of toothpicks. The grapes hold their shapes well and are easily pierced by the toothpicks to create towers and other structures. And, when you’re done, you have a healthy snack!

Science Activities

Have a budding scientist around the house? Try these basic projects from PBS:
  • Grow something
Having your kids grow flowers, herbs or vegetables creates a long-term learning activity that encourages monitoring and observation.
  • Cook something
Working together in the kitchen invites all kinds of questions: What does baking soda do? Why is gelatin such a weird consistency? How do ingredients interact?
  • Get outside
The outdoors is full of things for kids to examine — plants, worms, frogs, bugs and more! Even running through the sprinkler can be an educational opportunity, once the rainbow appears.
  • Stay up late … and look up
A clear summer night is perfect for checking out stars and pointing out constellations. You can talk to your kids about the various planets, and maybe even catch a firefly or two. 

Reading — It’s Not Just for School 

Encouraging your kids to read over the summer can help them when school gets back in session, so don’t miss an opportunity. You can share the newspaper in the morning, or simply read the cereal box at breakfast. Even a few minutes a day can have a big impact.


You might also consider the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge , a free online program for children from May 7th-September 7th. The 2018 theme is “A Magical Summer of Reading.” Visit their website for all challenge details!


Locally, you can participate in the Greenville County library’s summer reading program. This program runs from June 1st-July 28th and has challenges for everyone, babies to adults! Visit their website to check out one of their many events at your local branch.

Water, Water Everywhere

If you don’t have a neighborhood pool, you can look into a membership at one of several community pools in our area or the YMCA. Or make your backyard a water wonderland! The sprinkler can water your yard and provide lots of fun for the kids!

Did you know Greenville County has 3 water parks? That’s right! Head over to the Greenville County Recreation website for all the details! There are also some local splash pads that offer lots of fun for the kiddos. Check out the Kidding Around Greenville website for all the great places you can swim this summer!

Of course, there are thousands of summertime activities you can engage in with your kids in Greenville and the Upstate while school is out. If these ideas aren’t up your alley, consider summer camp, local music and sports programs or volunteering in the community.

Summer will be over before you know it, so make the most of it and don’t miss out on some fun summertime activities!

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