Are you looking for activities that will keep your kids entertained all summer long? Here is a list of 60 Budget-Friendly Summer Activities for kids.
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There is nothing better than warm summer days, especially after a long cold winter. The kids are out of school and there is excitement in the air.
But, after a few weeks of relaxing days, it’s inevitable that kids are going to get restless. You will undoubtedly hear the phrase “I’m bored, what can I do?”
Although, summer is my absolute favorite season it is also the time of year that I have the most difficulty staying within budget. Vacation planning begins but everything is so pricey and the relaxing days of summer that you envisioned all winter long are now filled with stress and anxiety trying to figure out how to keep everyone occupied and happy without breaking the bank.
Hopefully, this list of free and affordable summer activities will keep your kids happy and entertained all summer long.
60 Budget-Friendly Summer Activities for Kids
1. Go on a hike
Hiking is a great activity that you can do with the whole family. We are fortunate enough to live close to the mountains but you don’t need to have mountains nearby to hike. There are probably many opportunities in your area to hike.
Visit alltrails.com, to find nearby trails that show ratings based on whether they are easy, moderate, or difficult. You can also search for kid-friendly trails.
2. Visit your local library
Check out your local library to see if they have a summer reading program that you can sign your kids up for. It’s a wonderful way to encourage your child to read throughout the summer. Our library offers rewards such as earning a coupon for free ice cream or pizza.
Also, don’t forget to check out their schedule of events. They usually offer free movies, craft projects, and more throughout the summer.
3. Go fishing
Are you heading to a lake, river, or pond this summer? Don’t forget to pack your fishing pole. You can check out takemefishing.org to find the best places to fish near you.
4. Head to the beach
Pack up your beach towel and head to the beach. You may have to pay a small fee to park or enter the beach but you can bring a cooler and make a day out of it.
If you are looking for inexpensive sand or water toys you can check out Dollar Tree. They have a lot of great options.
5. Learn to skip stones
Skipping stones is a great activity for kids and has been around for a long time. Whether it’s searching for the perfectly smooth, flat stone or trying to get it to bounce as many times as you can across the water. Kids love it!
6. Stargaze
Grab a blanket and head outside on a clear night to do a little stargazing. You can download a free stargazing app on your phone to explore the night sky.
If you have a telescope, you can invite some friends over, grab some snacks, and have a stargazing party.
7. Camping
Check out nearby campgrounds and reserve a spot to camp for the night. If you don’t have a tent you could always borrow one from a friend. You can cook hot dogs over the fire and enjoy roasting marshmallows when it gets dark.
If staying at a campground isn’t in your budget then you can set up your tent in the backyard. Your kids will still have a great time. You can make shadow puppets and tell ghost stories.
8. Catch fireflies
On a warm summer night, grab a glass jar with holes poked in the lid and catch fireflies. Just don’t forget to release them when you are done.
9. Make s’mores
Nothing says summer like roasted marshmallows over a campfire. Combine that with graham crackers and chocolate and you get a yummy treat. You can try some variations by adding some peanut butter or Nutella. You can also use a fudge-striped cookie if you are out of marshmallows and graham crackers.
10. Host a barbecue
A barbecue is a great way to get your family and friends together during the summer. So fire up that grill, play games, talk, and make some summer memories.
11. Have a scavenger hunt
Have a scavenger hunt in your own backyard. Make a list of items for your kids to find. You can supply small prizes for the one who finds all the items in the least amount of time.
If you want to make it more interactive you can have your child take a picture of each item they find on the list. They will have fun showing you all the pictures they took.
12. Science Experiment
One of our most favorite things to do in the summer is science experiments. You can check out sciencebob.com for inspiration.
13. Make homemade ice cream
I bet you didn’t know how easy it is to make homemade ice cream. You can find the recipe for homemade ice cream in a bag on Coffee Cups and Crayons.
14. Plant succulents
Succulent plants are easy to take care of and are a great way to teach children about plants. They don’t require a lot of water but they do like to have indirect or direct sunlight for at least 6 hours a day, so put them on a windowsill and they will be happy.
15. Take a bike ride
Grab your bike or borrow one from a friend and explore your neighborhood. It’s a great way to get the kids out of the house, get a little exercise, and still have some fun.
16. Board game night
Dust off your old board games, grab some snacks, and have a game night. This is also a great activity for those rainy days inside.
Some of our favorite board games include:
Find some more of our favorite board games in this Ultimate List of Family Board Games.
17. Go to your favorite ice cream shop
We are lucky enough to have an ice cream truck that comes around our neighborhood during the summer. But, it’s also a lot of fun to visit our favorite ice cream shop for a scoop or two.
Recommended Post: 18 Best Ways to Eat Out on a Budget
18. Have a movie marathon
Another great rainy day activity is to have a movie marathon. We love doing this with Disney movies. We will even add a few snacks that relate to the movie to make it more enjoyable. You can check out Pinterest for some Disney movie night ideas.
Try this Summer Family Movie Challenge for even more fun this summer. (Includes a free printable challenge sheet).
19. Do a craft project
There are so many different craft projects you can do with kids. Check out my Pinterest boards for some inspiration.
20. Homemade pizza party
Grab some pizza dough, get a wide variety of pizza toppings and have everyone create their own individual pizzas.
21. Outside obstacle course
Make your own obstacle course outside. You can grab whatever you have handy. We have used jump ropes, hula hoops, cones, balls, ladders, and old tires.
22. Carnival day
You can find some carnival game ideas such as a homemade bean bag toss, or DIY bottle ring toss. A quick google search will give you so many fun ideas for a carnival theme day. You can pick up some small inexpensive prizes at the dollar store.
23. Go on a picnic
Pack some sandwiches and drinks and head to a park or even spread a blanket out in your backyard. Don’t forget the frisbee and a good book.
24. Have ice cream sundaes for dinner
Surprise the kids with ice cream for dinner. It will be a nice treat on those hot days when the last thing you want to do is cook dinner inside.
25. Water balloon fight
This is a fun and inexpensive way to get cooled off this summer. You can get water balloons at Walmart and Dollar Tree along with many other inexpensive water toys.
26. Play Kan Jam
Have you ever played Kan Jam? It’s a game the whole family will love. I know it’s our go-to outdoor yard game in the summer.
27. Make Homemade Slime
Kids love slime. You can find a variety of easy slime recipes on Pinterest or on YouTube.
28. Free concerts in your area
Make sure to check out any events that are happening in your area throughout the summer. You may be surprised at all the concerts and festivals happening near you.
29. Go to a farmer’s market
Head to a nearby farmer’s market for locally grown produce. It’s a great way to teach kids about the benefits of healthy eating and also supporting their community.
30. Go berry picking at a local farm
Check out local farms in your area to see if they offer strawberry, raspberry, or blackberry picking.
31. Have a garage sale
Do you want to make a little extra money this summer? Spend some time decluttering your closet and have a garage sale.
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32. Learn origami
It’s always good to learn a new skill. Origami is a fun papercraft that is easy to learn. Your kids will love creating new designs.
33. Go to a county fair
When I was younger we would always have a garage sale every summer then with the money we made we would head to our county fair. If you want to save the most money then make sure and go on children’s day because they offer a reduction on ride tickets.
34. Check out a Drive-in theater
Drive-in Theaters are definitely budget-friendly when wanting to catch a new movie release. Most drive-ins offer 2 movies for one low price and even better you can enjoy it under the stars.
35. Visit an arcade
Heading to the arcade is a fun way to spend a rainy afternoon. Just make sure you set a budget.
36. Play Ispy
We play this a lot when we go on road trips but you can do it anywhere on summer vacation, whether it’s at the park or in your own backyard. It’s an entertaining way to spend a lazy afternoon.
37. Go Bowling
Bowling is a great way to escape the heat on those hot summer days. Many bowling alleys offer specials during the week. You can also sign up at kidsbowlfree.com. When kids register they can receive 2 free games of bowling each day during the program all summer.
38. Sidewalk Chalk
Get out the sidewalk chalk and let your child’s imagination take over. You can have the whole family join in and play Hopscotch or Tic Tac Toe.
39. Learn a magic trick
Amaze your friends and family by learning a new magic trick.
40. Build a Fort
When it’s a cloudy and rainy day, grab some blankets and chairs to make a fort in the living room.
41. Make homemade popsicles
You can make homemade popsicles this summer for an easy treat that will cool you down fast. Just grab some kool-aid or whatever drink mix you prefer and some popsicle holders (you can pick these up at Walmart or Dollar Tree) Freeze for a couple of hours and you have homemade popsicles.
42. Play Charades
Get the family together and play a lively game of charades this summer.
43. Play Pictionary (Summer Edition)
Grab a whiteboard and on scraps of paper write down topics that have to do with summer like ice cream, beach ball, boat, flip flops, etc. Try and think of as many as you can then fold them up and put them in a dish. Divide up into teams and draw to see who wins.
59. Make Tie Dye T-shirts
A fun activity that you can do over the summer that doesn’t cost a lot is making Tie-dye shirts. Walmart sells kits or you can check out Youtube for DIY ideas.
45. Blow bubbles
All kids love bubbles. They are fun to catch. They are fun to pop. The best part is that you can buy them so expensively at Dollar Tree. They can provide hours of entertainment for everyone.
46. Play ball
Get the family together for a game of baseball or basketball.
47. Watch the sunrise and sunset
Make a point to get up early one morning to see the sunrise and to find a spot to watch the sunset one evening. Get pictures or just enjoy the moment.
48. Learn how to make friendship bracelets
YouTube is great for providing step-by-step instructions on how to make friendship bracelets. You can buy embroidery floss at Walmart or any craft store very cheaply.
49. Visit a playground
Spend the morning visiting a nearby playground and let your kids explore. Make a point to try and visit a new playground in your area a few times throughout the summer.
50. Visit a Nature Center or Museum
Many Nature Centers and Museums offer free admission or discounts. Call to find out about admission prices and any deals they may be offering during the summer months.
51. Visit a Zoo
Make a visit to a local zoo. Kids love seeing and learning about the different types of animals. Check before you go to see if they are offering any discounts throughout the summer.
52. Have a treasure hunt
Pick up some small goodies from the dollar store and put them in a small box (treasure), then leave clues for your kids to find it.
53. Play mini-golf
Visit a mini-golf course in your area. Many places offer coupons and discounts on certain days of the week.
54. Plant a garden
Teaching your child about gardening is a great summer activity. Sit down with your child and talk about what types of vegetables they are interested in growing. Make sure and check out your zone to see when the best time is to start planting.
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55. Visit a waterpark
Kids love waterparks and there can be some great deals if you do a little research. Check Groupon to see what discounts you can find.
If you find that a waterpark is not in the budget for this year, you can always get an inexpensive Slip and Slide or even run through the sprinklers on a hot day.
56. Play Flashlight tag
A great way for kids to burn off some energy before bed is to play flashlight tag. It’s basically like tag and hide-and-seek but with flashlights.
57. Geocaching
Geocaching is an activity that is completely free and something that your whole family can enjoy together. Get out your smartphone and download the Geocaching app to find a geocache close to you.
58. Play 20 questions or would you rather
Spend an afternoon playing 20 questions with your child. They can ask you questions such as what is your favorite food, snack, color, season, etc. to see how well you know them and how well they know you.
59. Visit an amusement park
If your budget allows for it, visit an amusement park this summer. Always look for discount codes before you go to save the most money. Also, many amusement parks will offer an option that allows you to get in for a discount later in the day.
60. Create a summer scrapbook
It’s always sad to see summer come to an end but putting together a scrapbook of all your adventures gives you something to look back on and enjoy.
As you can see there are a lot of fun and affordable & (free) summer activities for kids that the whole family can do together. Because isn’t that what summer is all about? Creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Looking for fun indoor activities for rainy summer days?
I created a free printable of these budget-friendly summer activities so you can hang it up and check it off as you complete them. A quick tip: You can laminate the list or put it in an inexpensive frame and use a dry-erase marker to mark off each activity.
Don’t forget to check out my Pinterest boards for more inspiration to live well on a budget. You can also sign up for my Free Resource Library to help you stay organized this summer and all year long. It contains free printables, inspirational quotes, and planner pages.
