Summer is a season full of potential—long days, warm weather, and time away from school create the perfect opportunity for families to spend meaningful time together. For those hosting an au pair during the summer, it’s also the chance to make the most of your flexible, live-in childcare and explore fun, enriching seasonal activities your child or children can enjoy with their au pair. Whether you join in on the fun or let your au pair handle some of these activities while you relax or tend to other responsibilities, there are plenty of great activities for your au pair to do with your kids this summer!
Here are 10 simple and engaging ideas to help your au pair and children make the most of the season!
1. Go to the Beach or Pool
When temperatures rise and the kids are out of school, a trip to the water—whether it’s a seashore, local lake, community pool, or other nearby swimming spot—is a classic summer outing. Your au pair and children can build sandcastles, collect shells or stones, and cool off in the water. It’s one of the best summer activities for kids of all ages!
2. Have a Water Balloon Fight
For more water-based fun, have a water balloon fight! This playful activity is great for engaging children during summer while keeping them active. Let your au pair help set it up for an afternoon full of laughter and refreshment.
3. Take a Trip to the Zoo, Aquarium, or Local Farm
What child doesn’t love seeing their favorite animals up close? Plan a trip with your au pair to visit a local zoo, aquarium, or even a nearby farm or animal sanctuary that welcomes visitors. These types of summer activities for kids and au pairs get them outside for a day of fun, learning, and discovery.
4. Visit Your Local Library
Don’t underestimate the power of a library visit. With reading challenges, craft events, and air conditioning, libraries are a fantastic place for engaging children during summer—and they’re often free! Let your au pair bring the kids to pick out books and build their summer reading habits. Encourage your au pair to recommend their favorite children’s book from their home country or a story that will teach your children about their region of the world for a bit of cultural fun and learning! Plus, a good book will be especially helpful if any summer storms happen to roll through this summer and the family is stuck indoors.
5. Plan a Picnic in the Park
One of the easiest summer activity ideas is a picnic in the park. Have your au pair pack lunch, a blanket, and water for your children, and let them enjoy the afternoon together. To make this activity even more special, encourage your au pair to bring along some traditional dishes from their home country, allowing your children to learn about their culture as they eat.
6. Go for a Nature Walk or Hike
Getting out in nature gives kids a break from screens and helps them connect with the environment. It can be as simple as a short walk around the local forest or as rigorous as a day-long hike through a state park for older kids. This is a great way for your au pair to stay active with the kids while engaging them in some screen-free summer fun.
7. Paint Outside
What better way to spend a summer afternoon than enjoying artistic expression outdoors? Your au pair can set up a finger-painting station for toddlers or try tackling more challenging projects with older children, such as painting landscapes or portraits. It’s fun, imaginative, and one of the most creative summer activities for kids.
8. Sidewalk Chalk Art
Give your au pair a box of sidewalk chalk and point them to an open space of driveway or sidewalk, then let the creativity begin! Together, your au pair and your children can draw pictures or set up boundaries for games like hopscotch and tic-tac-toe.
9. Go Out for Ice Cream
There’s nothing quite like a cold sweet treat on a hot summer day. A trip to the ice cream parlor with your au pair offers your children a great reward after a long day of play, or just a fun reason to get out of the house if you’ve been cooped up inside.
10. Bike Through the Neighborhood
Biking helps burn off extra energy while encouraging outdoor exploration. If your children are still learning, summer is a great time for your au pair to help them practice. Combine this with other summer activities for kids, like biking to the library or the park for a picnic, to turn small outings into big adventures.
Make this summer one to remember—host an au pair with Au Pair in America and enjoy flexible childcare assistance!
A summer filled with connection, creativity, and fun is easier when you have the support of an au pair. From helping with daily routines to organizing enriching summer activities for children, your au pair can help your family create an unforgettable summer. Host an au pair with Au Pair in America and experience the trusted support of the world’s most experienced live-in cultural childcare program. We thoroughly screen and train all our au pairs, and our dedicated team will support you throughout your program. Get flexible, dependable, and intercultural live-in childcare with Au Pair in America!
