August play ideas: Easy, fun activities your kids will love
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August always sneaks up on me. One minute, we’re soaking up the start of summer, and the next, we’re trying to squeeze in as much fun as possible before the back-to-school rush begins.
And let’s be honest: at this stage of summer, the days start feeling longer, and keeping things fun takes a little more effort.
That’s exactly why I love having a few go-to play ideas ready. Nothing complicated, nothing that requires a ton of prep—just simple, fun ways to keep the kids busy and happy (without making more work for you).
I’ve rounded up some of my favorite August play ideas to help make the rest of the summer feel easy and fun.
And to keep things even simpler, I put together a printable poster so you can grab an idea whenever you need it.
Because we all know that some days, you just need something right now.
August play ideas: Easy activities to try with your kids this month
Each month, you’ll get four easy ideas:
- one for independent play (because sometimes we just need five minutes of quiet)
- one for connecting with your kids
- one for creative fun
- one for quality family time.
Think of it as a little toolkit for bringing more joy and connection into your days, without adding extra work.
These aren’t just activities; they’re simple, playful moments you can easily try throughout the month, no matter how busy life gets.
PLAY: Ice rescue
On a hot August day, this icy adventure is the perfect way to cool down while keeping kids engaged in a hands-on rescue mission.
Materials
- miniature ocean animals
- muffin tin
- (optional) food coloring
- dropper
Instructions
- Add one miniature ocean animal into each muffin cup. Then, add water to fill the cups almost to the top and a few drops of food coloring (optional).
- Place the muffin tin in the freezer for a few hours (or overnight).
- (adults only) Once the ice cubes are ready, remove them from the muffin tin.
- Place all the ice cubes in a bin. Prepare a bowl with warm water and a dropper for the kids to use to melt the ice, then invite the kids to “rescue” the animals.
CONNECT: DIY bowling game
This simple DIY game is a great way to keep kids active while letting them get creative first.
They’ll have so much fun decorating their own bowling pins (whether they turn them into pirates, dinosaurs, or silly monsters) before setting up their very own bowling alley.
Materials
- paper tubes
- markers and paint
- small ball
- (optional) painter’s tape
Instructions
- Invite the kids to decorate the paper tubes using markers and paint. You can choose a theme as inspiration (e.g, pirates or dinosaurs) and draw characters on each paper tube.
- After the paint dries, use the paper tubes and a small ball to play bowling at home.
- (optional) Use painter’s tape to add a start line on the floor to mark the place where the kids need to start rolling the ball.
Helpful tip: We used craft cardboard tubes that are heavier than regular paper tubes. If you are using regular paper tubes, you can make them sturdier by gluing a few layers of paper around them.
CREATE: Craft stick popsicles
Kids always get excited about making their own pretend treats, and this activity is such a fun way to do it!
They can paint, decorate, and create colorful popsicles, then use them for all kinds of imaginary play. It’s a simple and creative way to bring a little extra summer fun into the day.
Materials
- (watercolor) paper
- watercolor paint
- craft sticks
- crayons
- tape
Instructions
- To prepare this activity, you will need craft sticks, watercolor paper (or colored paper for young kids), paint, crayons, and tape.
- Cut some popsicle shapes out of paper. Then, prepare all the other supplies and invite the kids to paint and decorate colorful popsicles.
- After the paint dries, tape the craft sticks on the back of the painted paper. Then, the kids can use the craft stick popsicle to set up a pretend popsicle store for imaginary play.
Bonus:
Ready to bring more joy and calm to your August? The Playful Moments Together guide is filled with ideas you’ll love! Grab it here.
FAMILY FUN: Ocean-themed movie night
There’s nothing better than a cozy family movie night, and an ocean theme makes it even more special!
Pick a movie filled with underwater adventures, snuggle up with some blankets, and let the fun begin.
Whether they love the adventure in Finding Nemo, the catchy songs in Moana, or the real-life sea animals in Oceans, it’s an easy way to bring a little ocean fun into the night.
More ways to bring joy to your August
Want even more ideas? Here are two fantastic resources to help you create happy moments with your kids — without extra stress.
- 25 Days of Play and Connection [poster]
Looking for quick, easy ideas to make your days more playful?
- 25 simple activities that spark creativity & connection
- Perfect for busy days when you need an instant idea
⭐ Download your free poster here and keep it handy for when you need fresh ideas.
- The Playful Moments Together guide
Want to take the guesswork out of connecting with your kids?
The Playful Moments Together Guide gives you 25 engaging activities to help you spark creativity, encourage connection, and bring more joy to your days.
Includes printable activity cards — so you can build a go-to collection of fun ideas your kids will love!
⭐ Get the Playful Moments Together guide and make the most of this month together.
Bring more joy and connection to your August with playful moments your kids will love.
With easy, creative ideas, Playful Moments Together will help you make the days with your little ones a little easier and a lot more fun.
Both resources are here to help you enjoy meaningful moments with your kids without adding extra stress to your day.
I’d love to hear which activities you try and how they bring joy to your home!
