Activities for Keeping Children Entertained during Idle Times: 14 Fun-Filled Sets to Explore
Summer is a fantastic time for children to explore their creativity and learn new skills. To help you make the most of these precious months, we've compiled a list of popular activity kits that are perfect for promoting learning and creativity during the summer days.
**1. STEM-focused Toys**
Kick-start your child's summer with STEM-focused toys that foster problem-solving skills and creativity. LEGO sets are a classic choice, allowing kids to build and create structures with endless possibilities. Coding kits, on the other hand, encourage computational thinking and programming skills in a fun and interactive way.
**2. Science Experiment Kits**
Science experiment kits are a great way to foster curiosity and scientific knowledge while having fun. For instance, the Airplane design studio kit allows kids to design and build multiple airplanes with balsa wood, propellers, and all necessary parts. Or, the Grow 'N Glow Terrarium kit provides materials for kids to create a unique terrarium with glow sand and glow-in-the-dark stickers, and grow their own plant habitat.
**3. Summer Reading Challenge Kit**
To keep kids engaged with reading and learning throughout the summer, consider the Summer Reading Challenge Kit. This kit includes various reading activities, such as reading logs, book bingo, and devotionals, to make reading an exciting adventure.
**4. High Five Activity Box**
The High Five Activity Box is a quarterly subscription box that includes crafts, stories, and snacks to encourage creativity, early literacy, and math skills in preschoolers.
**5. Sand and Water Tables**
Sand and water tables, like the Little Tikes Bluey Water Table, offer hands-on, sensory experiences that promote imagination and exploration.
**6. Action Mats**
Action mats offer a variety of physical activities that combine movement with learning, such as number recognition and imaginative play.
Moreover, we have a selection of unique and engaging activity kits that your little artists will love. The Ivy Kids kit, "A Rainbow of My Own" includes a book, materials for painting a ceramic bank, science experiment supplies with prisms and walking rainbows, and game materials. The DIY kids bird feeders kit includes birdseed, molds, twine, and easy-to-follow instructions for creating multiple bird feeders in different shapes.
For those who enjoy arts and crafts, the "Paint by Sticker" books replace paint with stickers, allowing kids to watch their images come to life as they find and place the stickers on the design. The PlushCraft Puppy Pack is a no-sew kit that lets kids create their own stuffed puppy friends by pushing pieces of fabric into a model.
If your child is more interested in imaginative play, the Obuby kids fort building kit contains various sized rods and connecting balls for creating forts, and can be covered with a sheet for a hideout. For a touch of magic, the Magic gel water toys set includes seven basic color gels, two glitter gels, one glow-in-the-dark gel, six molds, gelling-solution pellets, a strainer, a jar with lid, disposable gloves, an instruction manual, and are shaped like unicorns, dinosaurs, etc.
Lastly, the Lulu Jr. Illustory book making kit and Lulu Jr. My Comic Book making kit guide kids through the process of writing and illustrating their own book, which can be mailed back for professional printing. The KiwiCo Mini Cake Decorating kit provides a play cake, a piping kit, decorations, and allows kids to create their unique masterpieces without baking.
The Spy science kit from National Geographic has tools for 10 secret missions, including an invisible ink pen, periscope, UV light, spy glasses, decoder wheels, a secret notebook, and is intended for kids age 8 and older. The article contains affiliate links.
The article was updated most recently on July 15, 2025, by the website's associate editor, Kari Hanson, with new activities and images added, and existing information receiving a thorough fact-check.
[1] Source: [Summer Reading Challenge Kit](https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Reading-Challenge-Kit-July/dp/B08QR7L98Z) [2] Source: [Sand and Water Tables](https://www.amazon.com/Little-Tikes-Bluey-Water-Table/dp/B07BK6YJX5) [3] Source: [High Five Activity Box](https://www.amazon.com/High-Five-Activity-Box-Subscription/dp/B07N5GJHHJ) [4] Source: [Action Mats](https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Action-Mats-Dinosaur/dp/B004YJ0K0O)
- To boost problem-solving skills and creativity in your kids, consider STEM-focused toys such as LEGO sets or coding kits.
- Encourage curiosity and scientific knowledge with science experiment kits that allow children to design and build their projects, like the Airplane design studio kit or the Grow 'N Glow Terrarium kit.
- The Summer Reading Challenge Kit can help keep kids engaged with reading throughout the summer, offering various reading activities such as reading logs and devotionals.
- The High Five Activity Box, a quarterly subscription box, encourages creativity, early literacy, and math skills in preschoolers through crafts, stories, and snacks.
- To promote imaginative play, consider kits like the Obuby kids fort building kit, the Magic gel water toys set, or the spacious sand and water tables.
- For those interested in arts and crafts, options include "Paint by Sticker" books, the PlushCraft Puppy Pack, or the DIY kids bird feeders kit.
- The Lulu Jr. Illustory book making kit and Lulu Jr. My Comic Book making kit guide kids through creating and illustrating their own books.
- The KiwiCo Mini Cake Decorating kit allows children to create unique masterpieces without baking.
- For older kids, the Spy science kit from National Geographic offers tools for secret missions and is suitable for ages 8 and older.
- The abovementioned activity kits are updated and fact-checked, with sources listed for reference.
