Summer House Projects to Do With Kids
Summer house projects can be a lot of fun for kids of all ages. Learn together a new skill such as juggling, skating or French braiding; host a s’mores party; or organize an outdoor nature scavenger hunt (even just within your own yard!).
Create an art space for kids. Give this DIY non-stick slime recipe a try, and set up an outdoor doll clothes line for some gross motor play!
1. Build a Treehouse
Treehouses provide hours of entertainment for children of all ages, while adults also can have great fun building one themselves. But to successfully construct one in your backyard requires advance planning and professional assistance – before you begin construction consult an arborist in order to ensure the trees can support and grow healthy beneath it; otherwise an improperly built or anchored treehouse may end up damaging its host tree and prompt its removal altogether.
Once your platform and base are secure, the next step should be adding the floor. Depending on the complexity of your design, more advanced materials such as wood floors may be appropriate; otherwise a simple plywood deck board may suffice. Just remember that any flooring material added will add weight to your treehouse and should be factored into its plan accordingly.
By adding curtains to their playhouse windows, children are given more opportunities to dress up and stage exciting scenes. A curtain could become the entranceway to an imaginary castle where friends are invited for tea parties or theatre performances. Shelves and storage facilities also help keep their play area organised with designated spots for books, toys and more; when it’s time for clean-up they can quickly locate everything in its proper spot.
2. Plant a Garden
Planting a vegetable and herb garden is a fun summer project for kids of any age, providing them with control of their own food by selecting which vegetables to grow from their garden and even creating recipes using ingredients harvested directly from it – not to mention encouraging healthy eating in the process!
Begin small with a windowsill herb garden, which requires minimal upkeep. Or if you have more space available, create a full garden together incorporating various flowers and vegetables such as marigolds which repel pests while drawing beneficial insects in. Peppers, tomatoes, and okra also thrive quickly from seeds while offering delicious meals for young eaters.
Once your garden is planted, give your child a watering can and ask them to be responsible for keeping the plants alive. Assigning responsibility builds independence while teaching children self-sufficiency and hard work. To help get you started on this exciting adventure, check out our Gardening for Kids Guide that features kid-friendly curriculum with lesson scripts, crafts activities games – so much more than you think!
3. Create a Mud Kitchen
Children love messy play, and mud kitchens provide them with the ideal opportunity to use natural elements like leaves, dirt, and dandelions in their creations. Kids can use natural elements like leaves and dirt from outside as part of the fun when making things like nature soup, mud pies and rock stew! Kids also gain exposure to texture, smell and taste and gain knowledge on water safety with this fun learning tool! You could even add in an outdoor sink as an additional resource!
Summer houses are garden structures used for leisure in warmer weather. They typically contain seating, tables, electricity and lighting as well as additional amenities compared to sheds – making them more versatile than their predecessors. Furthermore, summer houses are attractive structures designed to add beauty and enhance the beauty of any garden they inhabit.
Some designs feature ornate windows and roofs to evoke images of cozy country cottages, while others can have more modern lines. You might even come across ones featuring vine-covered structures for an added natural touch!
If your summer house doesn’t lend itself well to becoming a playroom, why not transform it into a garden office or hobby room instead? Doing this allows you to isolate a favorite hobby and give it its own space; even though this space might not remain as neat and organized as your living room does, its creativity more than makes up for any clutter it might produce!
4. Build a Water Table
Water tables provide the ideal way to help kids enjoy sensory play during hot summer days and nights. By choosing accessories that align with your preschool curriculum themes, a water table can become an exciting learning adventure that keeps children cool while engaging their senses.
Ice (or frozen toys), pipe cleaners and magnetic wands can help children interact with a water table more directly. You could even add shaving cream for an unforgettable hands-on experience – just be sure to have plenty of windows or doors nearby so they can clean off their hands as soon as they’re messy!
Add potting soil to the water table, so kids can learn about growing plants themselves. Sticks and rocks make ideal habitats for toy animals or you could plant a vegetable garden! Another fun option would be creating nature ice by freezing leaves, berries, sticks and other natural items in an ice cube tray; you could then add this into the water table as pretend glacier pretend play experience while discussing weather science with your children!
5. Create a Fairy Garden
Fairy gardens can be an engaging project for both adults and kids to create together, stimulating their imaginations while giving them something fun to use over the long-term. My top tip for creating one: choose plants that won’t become too large when fully grown — I recommend succulents as they are easily managed through regular trimming and often produce baby plants! Additionally, make sure there is plenty of moss ground cover!
Another fun idea is to add in a small lake. We glued some strange fish stuff onto cutout cardboard pieces to simulate this look; sequins or perler beads could also work great!
Alternatively, Jill Morris has designed this beautiful elevated gazebo which can serve as a daytime hideaway and look reminiscent of a cabin.
6. Build a Playhouse
When children are out of school, finding activities to engage them can be challenging. Establishing an art space for kids can be a great way to keep them busy and engaged – though it might not always look as stylish! While your arty space might not always come out looking exactly like the photo above, the fun and creativity that arise from an artsy space make every drop of paint and messy session well worth your while! Build your backyard playhouse using Paul’s Playhouses printed plans; order today to ensure quick shipping!
7. Build a Treehouse
Treehouses are an engaging summer project for kids of all ages. With careful planning and support from others, a well-crafted treehouse can become the ideal spot for play or quiet contemplation high up in the trees. However, to ensure its safety it is necessary to consult an arborist or professional builder when working with complex structures and larger trees.
Start by finding an area for your treehouse that is free from major branches or roots. Get your kids involved in choosing its layout, as well as exploring premade plans to help get you going. A well-designed treehouse can add new activities for everyone in the family – from slides and swings to pulley systems, themed doors and lighting features – giving your treehouse even more potential than expected!
Make sure your treehouse platform is securely attached to its frame using appropriate bracing. Remember to add second exit methods, such as rope ladders or climbing walls, as well as safe pathways featuring mulch, pavers or safety mats. More advanced framing and waterproofing solutions are available, although a well-supported tarp may do just fine for children’s treehouses.