Summer is here, and though we can’t go on those vacations we were hoping to take, we can still have a great summer. You can create some DIY summer fun ideas with items you may already have around your home. The ice cream cone yummies are very inexpensive to make, and keep for a long time.

Drink A Lot Of Water

All of these items are perfect for indoor fun, or outdoor fun. And remember, if you are going to be outside for a while, drink lots of water. I love these water bottles from Contigo, they are spill-proof, BPA free, dishwasher safe, and the carry-clip makes it easy to take with you wherever you go. They are also a great way to keep track of how much water you are drinking.

Tic-Tac-Toe

Create a Tic-Tac-Toe game with rocks from your yard, a log or piece of wood, or even a piece of cardboard. Be sure to have fun with the bugs you pick. I did lady bugs and bumble bees, but there are so many bugs you can choose from.

Items Needed

• 10 Flat rocks
• Peice of flat wood, log, or cardboard
• Deco Art Paint – Red, Black, Yellow, and White, off-white, and brown.
• Small paint brush
• Sponge brush
• Deco Art paint marker – black

Directions

1. Paint 5 rocks to look like bumble bees and 5 rocks to look like lady bugs, or paint the bug of your choice.
2. Let all paint dry between each color, at least 5 – 10 minutes.
3. To paint the eyes, I used the back end of the small paint brush to make a white dot, and then a black dot in the middle of that.
4. Paint the flat wood, log, or cardboard with the off white paint.
5. Paint the outside of the object with the brown paint, bringing it outward to look like the edge of wood.
6. After the paint is dry, draw a tic-tac-toe board with the paint marker.

Related – Summer Camping Fun

Bowling Game

What a great way to recycle all those water bottles we have hanging around. This bowling game is so fun and easy to make and play with. You only need a few items to turn these bottles into the perfect backyard bowling alley.

Items Needed

• 10 Water bottles – emptied
• 2 – 3 Rocks for each water bottle
• Deco Art paint – white and red
• Ball big enough to knock the bottles down
• Sponge brush

Directions

1. Paint the bottles white, let dry completely and paint 1-2 more coats.
2. Let dry completely.
3. Paint the tops of the bottles with 2 red stripes.
4. Let the bottles dry completely and set the bottles up and have fun knocking them down with the ball.

Hopscotch

This fun game can be made out of so many things. You could use cardboard, stepping stones, or even paper plates. This is definitely a fun game for outside, but if you use cardboard or plates, you can certainly play it inside.

Items Needed

• Stepping Stones, cardboard, or paper plates
• Deco Art paint in various colors
• Deco Art black paint marker
• Sponge brush

Directions

1. Draw the numbers from 1 – 10 on the stones.
2. Outline the numbers with the black paint marker.
3. Lay the stones out ad have fun.

Cardboard Golf Game

I don’t know about you, but I have been ordering a lot of packages online. What does that have to do with this? This means I have a lot of boxes hanging around. Why not recycle those boxes by turning them into fun backyard games.

Items Needed

• Big cardboard box
• Scissors
• Deco Art paint – red, blue, yellow, green, and orange
• Deco Art black paint marker
• Golf balls, I used the plastic ones
• Golf club or a stick

Directions

1. Cut squares or holes out of the box, about 1 inch apart.
2. Cut as many as you can, at least 3 – 4.
3. Paint the outside of each square with a different color of paint.
4. Draw the amount of points you get when you make the ball into the square.

Yummy Candy Filled Ice Cream Cones

This is such a fun treat to make. The kids will really enjoy making this DIY summer fun idea. You can fill it with your favorite kind of candy, or of course with your favorite ice cream.

Items Needed

• Ice cream cones.
• Wilton white chocolate flavored candy melts
• Wilton melting pot or you can use the microwave instructions
• Summer sprinkles
• Starburst, or your favorite candy

Directions

1. Melt the white chocolate candy melts.
2. Dip the tip of the cone into the melted white chocolate, be sure to cove the outside top of the cone.
3. Roll the cone in the sprinkles.
4. Fill the cone with your favorite candy or ice cream.

More Summer Related Fun Ideas – Summer Windchime