FUN AND INEXPENSIVE SUMMER ACTIVITIES TO DO AT HOME
How far did you make into summer before you heard “I’m bored!” It wasn’t long here lol. Luckily these summer activities will help break up the monotony and hopefully build some memories.
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There are games, crafts, things to do, things to make and things to eat. Enjoy our list of cheap summer activities for kids!
Need a summer bucket list? You can print this one out at home and put it on your wall to check off all the things you want to do this summer!
If you don’t feel like DIY’ing it, check out some these inexpensive ideas:
Seek and Find Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Automatic Bubble Machine– this adds a magical backdrop to all your summer days 🙂
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RELATED: Easy 4th of July Crafts for Toddlers
Fly Swatter Bubbles {easy summer fun for kids!}
Give traditional bubble blowing a fun spin with fly swatters! You probably have all the ingredients in your kitchen already.
Best of all, it’ll only cost about $3. A perfect summer activity.
- Fly swatters (we used new ones)
- Large tupperware container or plastic bowl (long and shallow is best)
- Dish soap
- Water
- Corn syrup
- Corn starch (corn flour in the UK)
Easy Origami for Kids
Looking for a more calm activity to do with the kids? Try learning some easy origami. There are beginner friendly folds to try- from cats to houses.
Sunscreen Painting: STEAM For Kids
Do your kids strongly dislike putting on sunscreen? This activity will teach kids how and why sunscreen works- which might make them more inclined to put it on!
- Sunscreen
- Paint Brush
- Black Construction Paper (or other dark colored paper)
RELATED: Refreshing Summer Drinks Your Kids Will LOVE
Build a Backyard Fort
Grab some outdoor approved blankets, pillows, sheets and make an epic fort!
Water Play for Toddlers Using Recycled Materials
Have fun with water play using recycled materials that are already around your home! It’s fun and a good way to teach about recycling.
Yummy Fun with Pizza Box Solar Oven Smores!
Create a super easy solar oven with an old pizza box and cling wrap to make some delicious s’mores. Your kids are gonna love this one… and you are too.
- A sunny day
- An empty pizza box
- Plastic wrap (although a piece of glass, from a picture frame would work as well)
- Scissors
- Tape
- Aluminum Foil
- Chop sticks or a 12 inch ruler
- Graham Crackers
- Marshmallows, (these chocolate-filled ones would be great!)
- Chocolate melting wafers, a thin bar of chocolate
Neighborhood Scavenger Hunts
Get the whole family involved and active with this neighborhood scavenger hunt. It’s fun and will create great memories.
Park Scavenger Hunt Activity (for Local, State, and National Parks)
Heading to a park and wanting something to do with everyone? Grab a set of Park Scavenger Hunt printables!
Super Crazy Bubble Foam (with a secret ingredient)
Get the kids outside for some bubbly fun with bubble foam. Add toys, scoops, cups- whatever you want for hours of sensory play.
What you need:
Go For a Bike Ride
Get out the bikes and go for a spin!
Easy DIY Tie Dye Tutorial {Don’t Overthink It}
If you have some old white t-shirts or clothes lying around and are prepared for a messy activity- tie-dye them!
- Covered Surface.
- Plastic Gloves.
- Shirt or fabric you are dying.
- Dye. Tie dye kits are perfect for at home tie dye projects.
- Cling Wrap
- Ziploc Bags
- Rubber Bands or string
- Stick or wooden spoon
- Paper Towels for spills as needed
Teaching Kids to Compost and Its Benefits
Teaching kids to compost is fun and practical. They’ll love learning about what happens to the food and why it’s good for the Earth.
How to Make DIY Puffy Paint Without Shaving Cream and Glue
Whip up a big batch of puffy paint with ingredients you definitely have. Kick back and watch the kids get creative painting outside!
- Flour
- Water
- Washable Kids Paint
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Silicone Spatula
- Disposable Spoons
- Clear plastic squirt bottles with lids
- Funnel (optional)
Monarch Butterfly MATH Activities
Have fun creating the “butterflies” with your kids and get them excited about math.
- Farafalle pasta, ideally the standard size as well as the Miniature sized Farafalle…its the butterfly-shaped pasta.
- Food coloring. I’ve used Orange for the large butterflies and Blue for the smaller sized pasta
- Vinegar or Rubbing Alcohol
- Plastic zipper bag – this is a perfect activity for reusing a gently used bag
- Permanent markers (like Sharpies)
Have a Water Fight
Blow up some water balloons, fill up the water guns or grab some reusable soaker balls. Game on!
How to Make a Fairy House (a Milk Jug Craft)
If you have an old milk jug lying around, this a perfect summer craft and looks so cute in your yard beside a tree!
- Empty, cleaned and dried milk or water jug
- Black fine point Sharpie marker
- Utility knife
- Self adhesive foam craft sheets in dark green, light green, brown, purple and pink
- Artificial Flower
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Moss craft sheet
- Scissors
- Green paper artificial grass (or just use crumpled green tissue paper)
Head to the outdoors with this Bigfoot Game!
Get everyone outdoors and laughing while playing the Bigfoot Game! It’ll be hard not to laugh at whoever is wearing these ridiculous feet.
Put a Sprinkler Under the Trampoline
Have you put a sprinkler under the trampoline before? Hours of fun! Sometimes we add some soap- usually tear-free shampoo to keep soap mishaps from happening. Be aware that it does get VERY slippery!
“Painting” Baked Rocks
This is a really fun take on painting rocks- the crayons melt and make lovely designs. Plus get your kids involved in the “rock hunt.”
Homemade Bag Ice Cream for Kids
This is fascinating for kids to watch and they get to reap the rewards of their hard work by eating the ice cream. Perfect on a summer day 🙂
Kinetic Sand Recipe
Who knew kinetic sand was made so easily? I think I might be overpaying for kinetic sand at the store!
You’ll need:
- Sand
- Cornstarch
- Oil
Beat the Heat with Ice Activities for Preschoolers
From ice painting to color mixing and rescuing frozen toys, these ice activities make great things to do in summer with little ones.
8 Awesome Summer Reading Programs for Kids
Check out this round up of summer reading programs for kids and pick your favorite. It’s a great way to encourage reading and win some fun prizes.
Lemonade popsicles
Get everyone helping with measurements and squeezing lemons. Once they’re frozen, reap the rewards of your hard work with these delicious homemade lemonade popsicles.
You’ll need:
- Popsicle molds and sticks
- 4 – 8 medium lemons (enough for ½ cup juice)
- ½ cup white sugar
- Approx. 2 cups water
The Cutest Watermelon Painted Rocks for Kids to Make
Any craft that involves going outside to gather supplies is great for kids!
Play Hopscotch
Keep it classic! Bust out the chalk and make a giant hopscotch game for everyone to play.
Balloon Boppers Kids Game
DIY Solar System Kids Craft
DIY Fireworks
Set Up a Lemonade Stand
Every kid has gotta do this at some point. If you don’t want to squeeze lemons just make some canned or powdered juice.
Printable Summer Activities For Kids Planner
Easy Mason Jar Terrariums
Simple Water Balloon Yoyos
Masking Tape And Chalk Mural Craft
Bird Watching with Kids | Free Bird Watching Journal
Kids Beach Scavenger Hunt (free printable!)
Glow in the Dark Kindness Rocks
Clear Glitter Slime Recipe
Wrapped Walking Stick
Keeping the Kids Busy with an Ice Dig!
Spring Flowers Sun-catcher
Where Art Meets Math…
https://scribbleprints.blogspot.com/2011/02/where-art-meets-math.html
Egg Carton Nature Project for Kids
Tropical Pupsicles: Homemade Dog Popsicles!
Edible Banana Marshmallow Pudding Slime
Frozen Castles For Melting Summer Fun!
Nature Scavenger Hunt for Kids Printable
How to Encourage Kindness with this Summer Kind Kids Challenge
Ice Paints – Fun Activity for Kids!
Frozen Ocean Sensory Fun For Kids Of All Ages
No Sew Reading Tent for Kids
Painting On Ice Art Activity
Nature Walk Game + Printable
DIY Water Wall For Summer STEM
Have a Rock’n Game Night with an Outdoor DIY Tic-Tac-Toe Game
Easy Ocean Slime Recipe For Kids
Compliment Suns Friendship Craft
FREE License Plate Game Printable for Kids
How to Build Your Own DIY Foil Stream With Kids
DIY Felt Ice Cream Play Mat
How to Tie Dye with Turmeric
How To Make Toilet Roll Pots
DIY Tent Kit
Fun Frog Sensory Bin For Toddlers
3 Fun Water Balloon Activities for Kids (Age 3+)
Frozen ABC Chocolate Chalk
Water Gun Squirt Painting – Outdoor Process Art Fun!
Investigating Sunflowers Fine Motor Activity
Painted Rocks Sharks
11+ Free Printable Summer Do a Dot (boredom buster for toddlers & preschoolers)
Free Printable Summer Bingo (low-prep boredom-buster)
Exploding Sidewalk Chalk Experiment
Homemade Spectroscope | Bring Light Refraction to Life!
https://hessunacademy.com/homemade-spectroscope/
Easy Wooden Tic Tac Toe Game
Hairy – Spring gardening craft
How to Make a Simple DIY Popsicle Stick Bird Feeder
Fabulous Play Dough Mats (Free Printables)
How to make a fun Balloon Rocket to curb Summer Boredom
How to Create Recycled Container Herb Garden With Your Kids
Cheryle
Monday 5th of June 2023
I’ve been talking with my pediatrician about what to do with my kindergartener in the summer and he actually suggested the fly swatter bubbles! I’ve never seen that idea before but I’m excited to try it. She also loves to paint and wants to help with the garden so those rocks are going to be such a fun summer activity. Thank you so much for sharing!!