Activities for Kids at Summer Parties

Summer is in full swing! We’ve been having a great time socializing as a family (my kids are 4, 8 & 10) with other families at different BBQs, parties, and events. I know how much effort goes into hosting these different events, and really appreciate our hosts working hard to create a fun party for us all! There is still plenty of summer left and that means there are many more opportunities to attend and host events before school starts. If you’ve been thinking about hosting a family party for all ages this summer, below I’ve listed some suggestions of things to add to your event that I’ve observed hosts offering, or that I’ve offered as a host, to help everyone enjoy themselves!

Events that include the whole family are wonderful for bringing different generations together and for meeting new people. As an adult, especially when we’re at a party, the way we get to know other adults is through conversation. As a kid, wherever they are (school, camp, birthday party, at the park, etc.), the way they get to know other kids is through activities. Those two ways of socializing are very different and often don’t mesh well since it can be difficult for adults to have conversations with other adults if they’re constantly finding ways to entertain their own kids! So, with the goal in mind to facilitate both the adult way of socializing and the kid way of socializing, I’ve suggested ideas for ways for kids to play/entertain themselves for a bit so that they can have fun at the party, and so that adults can have some conversations with other adults😊 These ideas are options for kids to do while at the party - the thought is that they can flow between activities as needed, not that this is a structured list of “must-do” activities for kids. There are some kids who do not need anything to help them engage with kids they don’t know, and there are many parties where the kids already know all the other kids, and in those cases these activities may not be needed. I am simply offering ideas for when you need something to help everyone get to know each other - these are definitely not requirements for a fun party!

When kids don’t know each other they need something to break the ice - they don’t just go up to other kids and introduce themselves the way adults go up to other adults when meeting new people at a party. For example, think of how kids are greeted into a classroom or camp setting – usually the teachers have set up an activity to engage them and therefore help them get comfortable. Through that activity they start to share an experience and can begin to chat. Try thinking of your family party in that same way – create areas for kids to focus on, and engage in, an activity because that may lead them to making friends and playing with them during the event. An added plus is that when kids are engaged in something it keeps them on their best behavior and less likely to start bickering with siblings or complaining to you!

SUGGESTIONS FOR KID ACTIVITIES DURING EVENTS WITH MANY FAMILIES

*These are ideas for summer parties held outside*

Set Up a “Quiet Area” of a Simple Coloring Station:

The idea is that kids can color anything they’d like without the pressure to engage with other kids until they feel like it. It can also be a calm area for some kids to be when other kids are playing more rambunctious games like tag.

• Place a big sheet of plain white paper or a large coloring sheet across an outdoor table, secure it with painter’s tape, and lay out crayons or washable markers for kids to color as they’d like.
• Print out some printable activities from Etsy that kids can choose from (coloring pages, mazes, word searches, etc.).
• For younger kids, you can put out Color Wonder pages and markers since those markers don’t mark anything except the Color Wonder pages.

Set Up a Specific Craft for Kids:

There are themed crafts available from Oriental Trading Company or kid made modern or Michael’s that can be great to engage kids. In order for kids to be able to do these without adults’ help, keep in mind that these crafts are usually for ages 6 and up.

Board Game Area:

Set out some board games that can be enjoyed by different age ranges and have short run times so kids can be easily added into the game when they arrive to the party. For example, Uno, Connect Four, playing card game sets, and big puzzles.

For younger kids (ages 2-4) an Outside Toy Area:

A big bucket of Duplos with a designated flat space on the floor to build things, trucks/cars/planes set out, magnatiles with a building area, etc. Another idea to facilitate kids playing together in this toy zone is to add either road tape to a flat outside area and/or to add a city rug to the area.

Contained Area for Babies (who are sitting but not crawling):

Put out an empty kiddie pool for these little ones that is filled with rubber ducks and/or soft balls – be sure everything in there is cleaned and ok to chew/not a choking hazard!

Sports on Grass Area:

If you have the space (away from the food/house/BBQ), setting out some sports toys to use on the grass can be fun - Nerf football, Velcro catch, small T-ball set for younger kids, small toddler basketball hoop with basketball, soft bouncy ball, etc.

Paved Area Games:

A bucket of sidewalk chalk is always fun for kids to draw and/or make games like hopscotch and four square (make sure to have a bouncy ball nearby if the kids are old enough and might play four square).

More Involved Activities:

• A bounce house can be a hit with kids aged 3 and up. Also, a waterslide bounce house is something to consider on hot days. A bounce house, especially one with water, will require adult supervision.
• If you have a trampoline, place a water play sprinkler underneath it and have the kids wear swimsuits to have a water trampoline experience! This too may require adult supervision.
• A coach can be a great organizer for kids aged 4 and up. They can lead (and referee) yard games, soccer, basketball, etc. Reach out to your school’s coach/athletic department, ask one of your kid’s camp counselors, or check in with neighborhood kids who are home from college on summer break who may be great to lead these activities.
• A babysitter who can run crafts and/or manage the kids can be really helpful if you have a lot of kids coming to the party.

A Few Overall Notes:

• A folding picnic table can be great for these crafts because you set it out for the parties, then fold it away. I use ours for non-party times too when we’re doing messy crafts that might stain whatever table we’re working on.
• Consider enlisting the help of an older kid at the party to oversee some of the crafts or games – this may keep them engaged as well if they’re the oldest at the party and not interested in the actual activities that are set out.
• Consider setting out some easy snacks for the kids – muffins, apple sauce pouches, Pirate’s Booty, clementines, crackers, string cheese, waters – things that they can independently grab and eat (and are allergy safe if guests have allergies).

Unless you want a carnival-vibe at your party🎉, don’t do all these at once, but if you do want that vibe then please invite me!! These ideas are meant to inspire you to choose one/a couple that you can tailor to your personal party vibe and your guests’ ages.

I hope you have a great time at whatever parties you throw and attend! Happy Summer!

❤️, Amanda, your Type A Mom friend