Top 10 Outdoor Summer Activities for 2025
With its longer days, warmer weather, and the kids free from school, summer is the perfect time to get outside and make memories. But what are the best activities for the whole family to enjoy? Whether you’re planning an epic road trip or discovering adventures in your own backyard, we’ve rounded up the best outdoor summer activities for everyone, from toddlers to grandparents. Make this a summer you’ll never forget!
10. Throw an Outdoor Music Festival
Looking for a big, community-uniting activity this summer? Host an outdoor music festival or concert! It’s a fantastic way to showcase local talent, boost small businesses, or raise funds for an important cause. Begin your search for finding local musicians by prioritizing word of mouth and posts on social media. Understanding your audience demographic is a big step in finding the perfect acts.
Sure, pulling it off takes some planning (budgeting, picking the perfect venue, booking performers, and getting the word out, etc.), but with the right team behind you, the effort is well worth it. The result? An unforgettable summer event that brings everyone together.
9. Visit Your Local Farmers Market
Forget the fluorescent-lit grocery aisles. This summer, trade the ordinary for something extraordinary. A simple trip to the farmers market isn’t just shopping; it’s a classic summertime experience.
Picture this: Taking a stroll on a bright and sunny day, passing stalls bursting with organic, locally grown produce. The kids happily enjoying fruit popsicles while live music floats through the air. You browse fresh greens, grass-fed meats, and handcrafted goods, every purchase supporting local farmers and artisans.
No crowded grocery aisles, no stress, just the joy of turning a routine errand into a vibrant outdoor adventure the whole family will love.
8. Organize a Scavenger Hunt
Looking for one of the best outdoor summer activities that’s fun for all ages? Plan a scavenger hunt! Start by mapping out exciting locations, then connect them with clever clues; they can be riddles, symbols, or coded messages tailored to your group’s skill level.
The grand finale? A big reveal at the final stop, like a giant cake, theme park tickets, or even a surprise outdoor movie night under the stars. It’s not just a game, it’s an unforgettable summer adventure waiting to happen!
7. Go on a Bike Ride
Looking for a fun, active way to enjoy the outdoors without traveling far from home? Hop on a bike! Whether you're in the city, discovering hidden forest trails, or simply taking a leisurely ride through your neighborhood, cycling lets you enjoy the warm sunshine and refreshing breeze. It's the perfect activity for all ages, from kids on training wheels to adults looking for an energizing workout.
Biking isn't just great exercise; it's also an ideal way to explore. Cruise to a local restaurant, pedal to a scenic viewpoint, or discover areas you've never explored. Biking is one of the most cost-effective and healthy outdoor summer activities around. So grab your helmet, choose a route, and turn an ordinary day into an unforgettable two-wheeled adventure!
6. Take a Scenic Hike
Hiking stands out as one of the most rewarding outside activities for summer, offering everything from leisurely nature walks to challenging wilderness adventures. Whether you're planning a short scenic stroll with the family or an all-day trek, hitting the trails provides both excellent exercise and unforgettable moments in nature's beauty.
The key to success? Smart preparation. Families with kids should opt for shorter, easier routes where everyone can enjoy the journey, while experienced hikers can seek more demanding terrain. Before you go, research your trail thoroughly and pack essentials like plenty of water, energizing snacks, and first aid supplies. Don't forget useful extras like a compass, flashlight, bug spray, pocket knife, or even a lightweight hammock for relaxing breaks.
With the right planning, your summer hike can become the highlight of your season's outside activities, blending adventure, fitness, and quality time under the open sky.
5. Create Chalk Art
Turn sidewalks into masterpieces this summer with the simple joy of chalk art! This easy, affordable activity lets you blend creativity with outdoor relaxation; All you need is a box of chalk and any paved surface. Gather friends and family to transform dull driveways, sidewalks, or quiet streets into vibrant canvases bursting with color.
Want to take the fun to another level? Organize a community chalk art event. Participants can join a friendly contest or collaborate on one massive mural, turning the whole block into an open-air gallery. Whether you're doodling, sketching landscapes, or creating intricate designs, chalk art is the perfect way to celebrate summer’s carefree spirit.
4. Go on a Camping Trip
Offering endless opportunities for adventure in nature, a family camping trip is one of the most fun outdoor summer activities. Far from an ordinary vacation, camping invites families to unplug and rediscover simple joys. whether it's hiking through wooded trails, casting a fishing line at dawn, or sharing stories under a starlit sky. Kids thrive on the freedom to explore, developing both outdoor skills and a deeper love for nature.
The possibilities are endless: classic games like bocce ball by the lake, s'mores around a crackling fire, or even an open-air movie night. Affordable, flexible, and overflowing with fresh-air, camping can provide plenty of amazing summertime outdoor games and shared memories.
3. Throw a Pool Party
When the summer heat hits, nothing beats the refreshing thrill of a pool day! Kids will stay entertained for hours with water games for backyard and pool fun like Marco Polo, Color Shark, or a sunken treasure hunt for dive toys. Meanwhile, adults can unwind with poolside drinks, hot tub relaxation, or exciting games of water volleyball.
As evening falls, keep the magic going with an outdoor movie screening right by the water, complete with floating seating on pool loungers and rafts. It's the perfect way to turn a day of swimming into an unforgettable summer night under the stars.
2. Feast at a BBQ Cookout
Cajun Grilled Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 salmon filets
- salt and pepper to taste
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter - at room temperature, see note 1
- 3 tablespoons honey
Cajun Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons paprika - smoked paprika, if you have it
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper - or 1/2 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Grilled Bruschetta Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts - pounded to even thickness (1 inch or less)
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - (OR ¼ teaspoon each dried basil, dried oregano, and dried thyme)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese
Tomato Basil Topping
- 3 roma tomatoes - diced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
Healthy Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 1 ½-2 pounds pork tenderloin - see note
- juice of ½ lemon
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning blend - or ¼ teaspoon each dried basil, thyme, oregano, and parsley or rosemary
- ¼ cup oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon cracked black pepper - or a pinch of finely ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons honey
1. Throw an Outdoor Movie Party
Transform a cool summer night into an unforgettable evening with an outdoor movie party under the stars. Picture this, you're lounging on a cozy blanket, a gentle breeze carrying away the day’s heat as crickets serenade the night. Before you, a massive outdoor screen brings your favorite film to life, colorful, bright, and larger than life.
This isn’t just another movie night. It’s a fully customizable experience:
Bigger and Better: Choose the perfect screen size, type, venue, and add-ons like FM transmitters for car radios or silent disco headphones for private listening.
Beyond the Film: Kick things off with pre-show fun, play video games, run a slideshow, or even screen custom content.
Effortless Hosting: FunFlicks’ local technicians handle everything, from setup to teardown, so you can just relax and enjoy.
Whether it’s an intimate family gathering or a blockbuster community event, the possibilities are endless.
Classic Movie Ideas for Everyone
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Outdoor Summer Activities for the Backyard
- Backyard Campout
- Water Gun Battle
- DIY Obstacle Course
- Cornhole
- Outdoor Movie Party
Outdoor Summer Activities on a Road Trip
- Hiking
- Pitstop Exploration
- Scenic Meals
- Campfire Cooking
- Sightseeing
Outdoor Summer Activities at the Beach
- Sand Castle Contest
- Volleyball Tournament
- Fly a Kite
- Shore Fishing
- Bonfire on the Beach
FunFlicks® Inflatable Movie Screens
FunFlicks® inflatable movie screens are professional quality at an affordable price. There's a size for everyone, whether you're throwing a massive film festival with thousands in attendance or a small birthday with family at your house. To make sure everything runs smoothly, a local FunFlicks® event technician will arrive at your location on time, set up the screen, oversee the technology, and pack it all away at the end of the screening. Booming high-definition sound, crystal-clear laser projection, and a larger-than-life display are all included when you book an event with us.
Backyard 16'
12'x7' Display
100 Guests
20 Cars
Premiere 21'
16'x9' Display
250 Guests
50 Cars
Blockbuster 26'
20'x12' Display
500 Guests
75 Cars
Elite 32'
26'x15' Display
750 Guests
100 Cars
Epic 40'
30'x17' Display
1500 Guests
150 Cars
Xtreme 50'
40'x22' Display
3000 Guests
250 Cars
FunFlicks® LED Screen Rentals
FunFlicks LED screens are perfect for day or night display in almost any environment. Utilizing electroluminescent technology, our LED screens generate light effectively at any time of day. Each panel is rated IP65, meaning they are both rain and dustproof. Day or night, rain or shine, you get to decide when the magic happens. All of our mobile LED trailers have onboard generators for portable power. Therefore, no power supply is needed. Similar to our inflatable screens, our fleet of LED screens comes in a variety of dimensions for a variety of crowd sizes. Local event technicians across the country are available to bring our LED trailers anywhere for you to enjoy video games, live sports, movies, advertisements, or almost everything else!
8'x5' LED Trailer
75 Guests
15 Cars
12'x7' LED Trailer
250 Guests
20 Cars
15'x8' LED Trailer
500 Guests
50 Cars
17'x10' LED Trailer
750 Guests
75 Cars
23'x13' LED Trailer
1,000+ Guests
100 Cars
LED Wall
Curved LED Wall
LED Sphere
LED Cube
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