Sick of hearing “I’m borrrrred”, all summer long?
“There is nothing to do.”
Or just watching the kids run around the house?
With summer break just around the corner. It is time to start thinking of some free, cheap and fun things to do this summer, to keep the kids busy.
I made this list to make it easy for you to plan your summer, on a budget of course!
All of these activities have little to no cost.
So use this list as a way to jump start your summer fun, and to keep your kids from getting bored this summer!
Get Outside
It’s that time!
Lather on that sunblock, spray that bug repellent, keep the kiddos hydrated, and get outside!
The following are things you and the kids can check off your summer bucket list.
1. Go on a Hike/Walk
Just head to your city’s parks and recreation page or simply Google for trails in your area. This is 100% free and gets you out of the house and in nature!
2. Go to a National Park/ Conservation Area
Many of these parks have free admission for children, occasionally you have to pay for parking, or admittance, check the websites of the parks near you for more information.
3. Go to a Park Near Your House
Don’t want to make the drive to the conservation area, then check your local park instead. Watch the ducks, take a few swings on the swing sets, or check out the slide.
4. Walk Around the Block
Checkout the neighborhood, go down a street you have never been down before.
5. Go on a Bike Ride
Don’t forget the helmets. Explore a new bike path or trail.
6. Beach Day
Don’t forget your towel, the beach is a great free summer activity.
7. Build a Sandcastle
Checkout the dollar store for some low cost sand tools.
8. Collect Seashells
Use them to decorate that sandcastle.
9. Go Jump In The Lake
No beach nearby? Find the nearest lake, river or stream and splash around.
10. Skip Stones
Teach the kids how to skip stones, look for smooth, flat stones, and get throwing.
11. Water Balloon Fight
Remember how much fun you had as a kid with these, your are sure to love them too.
12. Water Gun Fight
Pick up some low cost water guns from the dollar store. They even have squishy water frisbees or balls to get wet and throw at each other.
13. Run Through A Sprinkler
A great way to cool off this summer.
14. Splash In The Pool
Find a nearby public pool, a friend or neighbor’s pool, or even get a kiddy pool for cheap at Walmart.
15. Watch The Clouds
Ask what shapes they see, you will be surprised by their unique answers.
16. Fly A Kite
Don’t have one? You and the kids can easily make your own, out of some straws, paper and string.
17. Stargaze
Have the kids stay up late and look at the stars.
Bonus Points : Use a telescope.
18. Dance In The Rain
Do some silly dances, and enjoy getting wet.
19. Splash in the puddles
Put those rain boots on and find a puddle, the muddier the better.
20. Car Wash or Bike Wash
Even offer to do the neighbors, and have the kids earn a little money.
21. Garage Sale
Have the children help with selling their unwanted toys or books.
22. Sidewalk Chalk
Buy a pack and have the kids go to town on the driveway.
23. Make Chalk Paint
Equal parts water to cornstarch and a few drops of food coloring, and you have your own chalk paint.
24. Hopscotch
With all that chalk you can use it to make a hopscotch court.
25. Birdwatch
With or without binoculars. Look up a list of birds in the area and see how many you can find.
26. Go To The County Fair
Enjoy the day at the fair, usually have to pay for admission, but then there are many free activities for the kids, depending where you go.
27. Plant Seeds
Inside or outside, and have the children water the plants, and watch them grow.
28. Start A Rock Collection
Does your kid like collecting rocks? Put them on display in a clear jar, or have them decorate the garden with them.
29. Learn A New Dance
Tik Tok anyone?
30. Skip Rope
You can get a skipping rope at the dollar store, a great form of exercise for the parents as well.
31. Sports
Grab a soccer, baseball, or basketball, and get outside.
32. Catch Bugs
The dollar store carries bug catching kits, with nest and magnifying glasses.
33. Backyard Campout
Pitch a tent in the backyard, get the camping experience, in the comfort of your own backyard.
34. Go On A Nature Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of items to search for, such as a pinecone, a leaf bigger than your hand, a spider web and a big stick.
35. Frisbee
You can pick up a frisbee at the dollar store. There are even some parks that have disc golf.
36. Go Geocaching
Use GPS to track down boxes, it is like a modern day treasure hunt.
37. Paint With Water
Great for kids who like to colour and paint everything they can get their hands on. Take them outside with some paint brushes and water, and let them go wild.
38. Outdoor Science Experiments
Vinegar and baking soda to make an overflowing volcano, or the classic coke and mentos.
39. Have A Picnic
Grab a blanket, some of your kids favorite snacks, and find a shady spot for a picnic.
40. Have a Nap Outdoors
Bonus points: If you use a hammock.
41. Bubbles
You can try making your own bubble mix, and giant bubbles.
42. Pick Flowers
Off to Grandmas house? On your nature walks, have the children collect wild flowers, and put them in a vase when you get home.
43. Lawn Games
Such as horseshoe/ ring toss, cornhole, or even catch.
44. Climb a Tree
I used to be so good at climbing trees as a kid. It is a great opportunity to improve their gross motor skills, and risk taking. If you’re still a little hesitant, find lower hanging branches on your walks, and supervise your child.
45. Race
Down the sidewalk, around the background, an egg race, great to get all that summer energy out.
46. Obstacle Course
Allow the children to help come up with ideas for the course, and the setup.
Get Creative
47. Homemade Play-Dough
So many easy and fun recipes to try on Pinterest.
48. Paint Rocks
Ever seen those cute rocks around the parks?
Decorate your own, and hide them for others to discover.
49. Thank You Cards
For summer school teachers, coaches, or camp counselors.
50. Have a Family Photo Shoot
Great excuse to capture those summer memories.
51. Dress Up And Have A Fashion Show
Have the children set up a runway, and put on their favourite clothes, or silly costumes and host a fashion show.
52. Make a Fort
Build a fort with blankets, chairs, couch cushions.
53. Time Capsule
Grab some things to remind you of your summer or the year. Example a face mask or vaccination sticker.
54. Shadow Puppets
Teach the kids how to make shadow puppets, at night or in the fort.
55. Write In a Journal
Have the children write their favorite part of the day. Draw a picture to accompany the text.
56. Make Your Own Suncatchers
With tissue paper and contact paper, both can be picked up at the dollar store.
57. Make Your Own Paper Airplanes or Boats or Origami
There are many tutorials online to choose from.
58. Make a Birdfeeder
Paper towel or toilet paper rolls covered in peanut butter and birdseed.
59. Write a Funny Story
Have the children come up with a hilarious plot line.
60. Friendship Bracelets
Grab some gimp, or embroidery floss from the dollar store or craft store.
61. Tie-Dye
Old clothes, or some thrifted ones to save on cost. You can even try dying with food scraps, such as avocado peels or beets.
62. Slime
If you aren’t sick of it by now.
63. Squirt Gun/ Spray Bottle Painting
Water down some paint, and fill up the gun/ bottle, and spray away. Best to do this outside, you can pin a large paper to the fence, or have it on the ground.
You can also use a few drops of food colouring in water instead of paint, less likely to clog the nozzles.
64. Watercolor Painting
Easier clean up than acrylic/ tempera paints. Can pick up some watercolor pallets from the dollar store.
65. Host a Comedy Show or Tell Jokes
Find a kid friendly joke book, and take turns making each other laugh.
66. Make a Music Video
Have the kids create a video to their favourite song.
67. Face Painting/Makeup
Kids absolutely love the transformation.
68. Do Leaf Rubbings
Grab some leaves when you are outside, lay a piece of paper over top and while holding both down, color on top of the paper, preferably with crayons.
69. Make Sock Puppets
Grab those mismatched socks, or that lone one that’s been hanging out in the laundry room, and turn them into sock puppets.
You can use markers, googly eyes, pom poms, and buttons to jazz them up.
70. Paint With Ice
Great way to keep cool this summer. Use food colouring and water to make colourful ice cubes, or a mixture of paint and water in an old ice cube tray.
71. Mud Painting
Sand and water, you can even add a bit of color.
72. Finger Painting
No brushes, no rules.
Get Cooking
73. Make Treats For The Neighbours
Make a pie, or cookies together, and bring it over to the neighbours.
74. Make Ice Cream Floats
Add a scoop of ice cream into your favourite soda pop, to create a delicious creamy and fizzy beverage.
75. Make Your Own Ice Cream
With a few simple ingredients you can try your hand at making your own ice cream.
76. Homemade Popsicles
You can pick up some popsicle moulds from the dollar store or thrift store. Pour your favourite juice, or leftover smoothies into the molds and freeze.
77. Homemade Pizza
You can make pizzas on bagels, english muffins, pitas, and even naan, try them all.
78. Make S’mores
You can make many delicious s’mores treats at home, just check out Pinterest.
79. Make Cookies
There are about a million cookie recipes on the internet, pick one to try to make together.
Get Competitive
80. Pillow Fight
Try not to get carried away.
81. Tic-Tac-Toe
You can play it on the sidewalk, on paper, on rocks, or on a game board.
82. Family Game Night
Pick a few games to play together as a family, and make a night of it.
83. Rock Paper Scissors Tournament
The best of the best face off.
84. Have a Scavenger Hunt
Hide objects around the house, and have the children search for them.
85. Dance Contest
Who’s got the best moves?
86. Talent Show
Host a talent show, and try to upstage each other.
87. Charades
Guess the words that other players are acting out.
88. Simon Says
Follow directions but only if the sentence starts with ‘Simon Says’
89. No Talking Contest
Best quiet game ever. Great to play in the car.
Other Fun Things To Do
90. Do a Puzzle
Bonus Points: The higher the piece count the better.
91. Sleepover
Invite some of the children’s friends over for a sleepover, watch movies, play games, and snack the night away.
92. Read A Book
Read together or have a child read on their own .
93. Free Classes/ Events
Attend free events hosted by the city, or local craft stores.
94. Yoga
There are many fun child-friendly yoga videos on YouTube that you can do as a family.
95. Movie Night or Day
Spend the whole day or night watching movies, not just one. Feel free to take a break in between, for stretches and refills.
96. Random Acts of Kindness
Help an elder cross the road, or take out their groceries. Buy a homeless person lunch, or even hide money or gift cards for others to find.
97. Stay Up Late
That’s right, let the children choose a night to stay up late, as long as they can!
98. Help a Neighbour
Walk their dog, cat sit, bring in their groceries.
99. Spa Day
Get some face masks, do each others nails, and have a bubble bath.
100. Go To The Library
They have an array of free entertainment. The library usually hosts a story time, or a performance for children.
I hope you use this list to make some amazing summer memories with the children in your life.
What fun things are you doing with the kids this summer? Let me know down in the comments!
Stay frugal,
