July play ideas: Fun, creative activities your kids will love
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I’ve always believed that summer should feel light and easy. But as a mom, I know that’s not always how it goes.
Some days, the kids are happily playing for hours. Other days? They’re bored before breakfast.
That’s why I love having a handful of simple, fun ideas ready to go — nothing complicated, just easy ways to spark creativity and keep the kids engaged without any extra effort.
This month’s play ideas are all about keeping things simple, playful, and stress-free, so you have fun activities at your fingertips whenever you need them.
And to make it even easier, I’ve put together a printable poster so you can quickly grab an idea and bring more play into your summer days.
July 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: Magazine prompts
This simple activity is all about sparking kids’ imagination in a fun, low-prep way by letting them take the lead and see where their creativity takes them.
Materials
- old kids’ magazines
- (watercolor) paper
- watercolor paint
- scissors
- glue
Instructions
- To set up this activity, cut a few pictures out of an old kids’ magazine to create art prompts.
- Prepare the cutout pictures and the watercolor paint, and invite the kids to get creative using the magazine prompts.
- Leave a few other kids’ magazines at hand and encourage the kids to choose other pictures they like and use them as art prompts.
CONNECT: Story bag
Storytelling is one of the best ways to spark a child’s imagination, and this simple activity makes it even more fun!
It’s an easy, low-prep way to encourage creativity and enjoy playful storytelling together.
Materials
- small fabric bag
- small items to use as story prompts
Instructions
- To prepare this activity, you will need a small fabric bag and 15-20 small items to use as story prompts. Choose items that you have at hand and that can spark your child’s imagination: mini figures, craft supplies, small toys, nature items, etc.
- Place all the items in the bag and invite the kids to create a story with you.
- Start by taking an item out of the bag without looking inside and using it as inspiration to begin a story. (e.g, “Once upon a time there was a little girl who lived in a forest.”)
- Take turns taking items out of the bag without looking inside and coming up with 2-3 phrases inspired by each item to continue the story and add more details and twists to it.
- You can start over several times and come up with new stories inspired by the items inside the bag. You can also invite the kids to create a new story bag to use together.
CREATE: Fairy wands
This simple activity invites the kids to design their own magical fairy wands.
Crafting is always more fun when kids get to make something they can use in play!
Materials
- thick paper
- crepe paper
- paint sticks
- straws
- buttons
- ribbons and yarn
Instructions
- To prepare this activity, cut some star shapes out of thick paper.
- Set up all the materials on a tray and invite the kids to create fairy wands.
- Start by painting and decorating the stars. Then, use tape to add strips of ribbon, yarn, and crepe paper on the back of the star.
- Tape the straw on the back of the star so the kids can use it to hold their fairy wand.
Bonus:
Ready to bring more joy and calm to your July? The Playful Moments Together guide is filled with ideas you’ll love! Grab it here.
FAMILY FUN: Family baking night
Baking together is always a fun way to connect, and this simple idea adds a creative twist!
Invite the kids to choose a theme for your cookies, then use cookie cutters and food coloring pens to bring their ideas to life.
Whether it’s under the sea, outer space, or a favorite storybook, this activity turns baking into a playful, imaginative experience. Plus, you get a delicious treat to enjoy together!
More ways to bring joy to your July
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 July 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!
