10 Fun Family Activities to Try This Summer (Just Like These Stars)

01of 10

Get Into the Garden

Carrie Underwood/Instagram

Getting your family into the garden isn’t just a fun way to model healthy behavior; even if you aren’t growing your own fruits and veggies à la Underwood,the act itself has a host of physical benefits, including stress reduction and an increase in physical activity (which is linked to lower risk of cancer and chronic illness).

Don’t have a yard of your own? Many cities offer the opportunity for families to volunteer in their local parks, helping pull weeds or pick up litter — so you can share the joy of green space with others.

02of 10Make a (Movie) Night of ItAxelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagicTake inspiration fromOffset (with daughters Kalea and Kulture)and turn a night out at the movies into a mini-red carpet. Grab tickets to something fun (tryElementalorTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem —or perhaps your local theater is playing some ’90s nostalgia fare),get dressed up and splash out on snacks at the theater. Then host an “afterparty” with kid-friendly tunes and sparkling apple juice.

02of 10

Make a (Movie) Night of It

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Take inspiration fromOffset (with daughters Kalea and Kulture)and turn a night out at the movies into a mini-red carpet. Grab tickets to something fun (tryElementalorTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem —or perhaps your local theater is playing some ’90s nostalgia fare),get dressed up and splash out on snacks at the theater. Then host an “afterparty” with kid-friendly tunes and sparkling apple juice.

03of 10Catch a GameLondon Entertainment / SplashNews.comYou don’t need courtside Lakers seats (like Jason Sudeikis and his son Otis, 9, and Jason Bateman and his daughter Maple, 11) to enjoy a sports game this summer. Try grabbing some last minute bleacher seats for a baseball game (major orminor league) as Andy Cohen did with his son Benjamin.Andy Cohen/InstagramOr keep an eye out for unexpected sporting events near you — Chicago, for instance, is hostinga NASCAR raceanda US Men’s National Team soccer match against Jamaicathis summer.Not sure your kiddos can sit through a whole game? Host a Women’s World Cup watching party at home when it kicks off in July.

03of 10

Catch a Game

London Entertainment / SplashNews.com

You don’t need courtside Lakers seats (like Jason Sudeikis and his son Otis, 9, and Jason Bateman and his daughter Maple, 11) to enjoy a sports game this summer. Try grabbing some last minute bleacher seats for a baseball game (major orminor league) as Andy Cohen did with his son Benjamin.

Andy Cohen/Instagram

Or keep an eye out for unexpected sporting events near you — Chicago, for instance, is hostinga NASCAR raceanda US Men’s National Team soccer match against Jamaicathis summer.

Not sure your kiddos can sit through a whole game? Host a Women’s World Cup watching party at home when it kicks off in July.

04of 10

Make a Splash

Gerber Childrenswear

Lance Bass and husband Michael Turchintook twins Violet Betty and Alexander James for a dip— a hit activity for pretty much any kid.

05of 10

Go Camping (or Just Snack Like You Did)

Even princes and princesses love s’mores — just askCharlotte, George and Louis. You don’t have to travel to a campsite (or even pitch a tent in your yard) to justify roasting marshmallows for the sweet treat. Do it on a random Tuesday night to really get cool parent points.

06of 10

Be a Tourist in Your Own City

Sean Teegarden/Disneyland Resort via Getty

07of 10

Try Something New Together

brittany mahomes/instagram

If your kids are headed to summer camp, they’re likely trying tons of fun new activities (everything from crafts to canoeing) — and why should they get to have all the fun? Learning how to do new things together is a proven way to strengthen family bonds, so pick something you’re all excited about and put it on your summer “to do” list.

08of 10

Take Two Wheels

Freida Pinto/Instagram

09of 10Visit a Carnival or Street FairChanel Iman/InstagramChanel Iman took daughters Cassie and Cali to her local carnival, complete with midway games, rides, and (we assume) funnel cake. There’s likely one near you sometime this summer, and it has the benefit of being old fashioned fun while also having something for kids of all ages.Want to know when carnivals, street fairs and other events are coming to your town? Find local “momfluencers” on Instagram, who will often keep tabs on weekend activities and share them with their followers.

09of 10

Visit a Carnival or Street Fair

Chanel Iman/Instagram

Chanel Iman took daughters Cassie and Cali to her local carnival, complete with midway games, rides, and (we assume) funnel cake. There’s likely one near you sometime this summer, and it has the benefit of being old fashioned fun while also having something for kids of all ages.

Want to know when carnivals, street fairs and other events are coming to your town? Find local “momfluencers” on Instagram, who will often keep tabs on weekend activities and share them with their followers.

10of 10Enjoy Live MusicJenna Bush Hager/InstagramSo you can’t score Taylor Swift tickets,as Jenna Bush Hager did for her daughters. That doesn’t mean you can’t have rock out as a family. Plenty of fun, kid-friendly acts tour in the summer (have you seen Laurie Berkner live?), or you can challenge yourself to see a band your teen loves that you might not otherwise be into.Want a more al fresco experience? Bring a picnic to watch a local band live — or camp out in a stadium parking lot to join the legions of Swifties who are in the same ticketless boat as you.

10of 10

Enjoy Live Music

Jenna Bush Hager/Instagram

So you can’t score Taylor Swift tickets,as Jenna Bush Hager did for her daughters. That doesn’t mean you can’t have rock out as a family. Plenty of fun, kid-friendly acts tour in the summer (have you seen Laurie Berkner live?), or you can challenge yourself to see a band your teen loves that you might not otherwise be into.

Want a more al fresco experience? Bring a picnic to watch a local band live — or camp out in a stadium parking lot to join the legions of Swifties who are in the same ticketless boat as you.

source: people.com