100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (2024)

Keep your kids entertained all summer long with these fun summer activities for kids on a budget.

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (1)

There are over a hundred ideas here for endless summer fun without breaking the bank! These outdoor activities for kids include outdoor games, summer crafts, fun science projects, water play to cool off on a hot summer day, and much more. Plus, there are easy DIY ideas for forts, tents, camping, and outdoor theater ideas for movie night.

These ideas are cheap or free summer activities that can be made with dollar store products or common household items that you already have on hand. Whether you are looking for activities for toddlers or older kids, there are things to do for all ages including water play and sensory play so get ready to have some fun this summertime!

Summer Water Play for Kids

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (2)

Pool Noodle Sprinkler from Ziggity Zoom

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (3)

Leak Proof Water Blob from Good Home Design

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (4)

DIY Sprinklers from Housing A Forest

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (5)

Water Balloon Piñata from Paging Fun Mums

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (6)

Easy Homemade Water Slide from Happy Hooligans

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (7)

Soap Boat Races Activity from I Heart Naptime

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (8)

STEM Stick Raft Building Activity for Kids from Kids Craft Room

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (9)

Water Bottle Boatfrom Nalle’s House

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (10)

Sponge Sailboat from Easy Peasy Fun

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (11)

Water Table Activity for the Kids from Instructables

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (12)

Water Bombs Made from Sponges from Endlessly Inspired

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (13)

Batting Practice with Water Balloons from The Boys Store

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (14)

Water Guns Race from This Grandma is Fun

Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids

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Sidewalk Chalk Foam Paint Activity from The TipToe Fairy

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Pool Noodle Obstacle Course from Parents.com

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (17)

Outdoor Tic-Tac-Toe Game from Tatertots and Jello

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (18)

DIY Bean Bag Toss from Mod Podge Rocks

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (19)

Rainbow Paver Hopscotch Activity from Happiness is Homemade

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (20)

DIY Sandbox from The Homes I Have Made
You can get a similar bookcase at a thrift store for around $10!

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (21)

Tire Sandbox from I Heart Naptime

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (22)

Hula Hoop Croquet from The Crafting Chicks

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Blow Bubble Snakes from One Little Project

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Kinetic Sand Activity from One Little Project

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (25)

Marshmallow Shooters from Happiness is Homemade

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Pool Noodle Rocket Flinger Activity from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

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Popsicle Chalk from Reading Confetti

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (28)

Tensile Bubbles from Babble Dabble Do

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Giant Bubbles from Fun Crafts Kids

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Human Bubble Summer Activity for Kids (source unknown)

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (31)

Hola Hoop Hideout from Do It Yourself Fun Ideas

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (32)

Summer Reading Teepee from Tatertots and Jello

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (33)

Backyard Bean Bag Toss Game from Thrift Diving

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (34)

Ring Toss Activity from HGTV

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DIY Ring Toss from Mom Endeavors

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (36)

Giant Backyard Board Game from 36th Avenue

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (37)

$5 Tarp Game from The Red Headed Hostess

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (38)

$30 DIY Seesaw for Kids from Classy Clutter

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Yard Yahtzee from Momtastic

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Outdoor Bowling Game from Polka Dot Chair

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (41)

Backyard Ker-Plunk Game from All Parenting

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Ladybugs Vs. Tadpoles Game for Kids from Atta Girl Says

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Soda Bottle Rocket Activity from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

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Colored Shaving Cream Twister Game for Kids (Unknown Source)

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Pool Noodle Racetrack from Ramblings from Utopia

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (46)

Outdoor Movies Night from MomAdvice

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (47)

DIY Rope Swing from Dukes and duch*esses

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (48)

Tetherball for Half the Cost from Simply Kierste

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (49)

Pool Noodle Playhouse from From ABCs to SATs

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (50)

Balloon Tennis Activity from Little Bins for Little Hands

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (51)

Simple Tent from Daisy Mae Belle

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (52)

DIY Tree Swing from A Beautiful Mess

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (53)

Foil River Activity from I Can Teach My Child

Indoor Activities, Science Experiments, Sensory Play & More

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (54)

Laundry Basket Skee Ball Activity (With Ball Pit Balls!) from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (55)

Marshmallow and Toothpick Buildings from The Idea Room

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (56)

Masking Tape Speedway Track for Toy Cars from Family Maven

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (57)

Moon Sand from Lesson Learnt Journal

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (58)

Rock Candy Experiment for Kids from Growing a Jeweled Rose

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Ice Cream in a Bag from Growing a Jeweled Rose

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Super Hero Fort Kitsfrom Meg + Andy

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (61)

DIY Marble Bowling from Frugal Fun for Boys & Girls

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (62)

Indoor Camping from The Stay At Home Mom Survival Guide

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (63)

Bouncy Ball from 36th Avenue

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (64)

Edible Slime from Starburst Candy from Teach Beside Me

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (65)

Easy Homemade Playdough Recipe from Living Well Mom

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Fish in a Bag Slime from My Frugal Adventures

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (67)

Mini Mason Jar Aquariums from A Little Claireification

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (68)

Ocean Slime from Schooling a Monkey

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (69)

Glow in the Dark Bowling from My Kids Adventures

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (70)

How to Make Sun Tea Activity from Today’s Creative Life

Summer Arts and Craft Activities for Kids

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Fireworks Salt Painting from Busy Mommy Media

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (72)

Birdhouse Craft from Craft Create Love

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Fairy House from Living Well Mom

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Puffy Paint Ice Cream Cones from Crafty Morning

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Squirt Gun Painting from Fireflies and Mudpies

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (76)

$1 Giant Dry Erase Mat Coloring Activity from I Heart Arts and Crafts

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (77)

Pop Bottle Firefly from One Little Project

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (78)

Mason Jar Fairy Lights from DIY Joy

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (79)

Space Star Crayons from Minieco

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (80)

Paper Spinner from Make and Takes

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (81)

Melted Bead Suncatcher from Artful Parent

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (82)

Water Bottle Wind Spirals from Creative Green Living

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (83)

Kids Bubble Painting from Artful Adventures

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (84)

DIY Foam Paint from Dabbles and Babbles

100 Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Kids (85)

Rock Dominoes from Repeat Crafter Me

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FAQs

How do I keep my 12 year old busy in the summer? ›

50 Ways to Keep Your Kids Entertained this Summer
  1. Pick your own... whatever. ...
  2. Camp out. First-timers, try backyard camping.
  3. Camp in. Put the sleeping bags on the floor and have a family slumber party.
  4. Rearrange the furniture. ...
  5. Invite friends over for a game day. ...
  6. Make your own pizza. ...
  7. Talk to the animals. ...
  8. Get wet.
Jul 31, 2013

What is the most common summer activity? ›

40 percent overall indicated that going to the beach was a favorite. Other activities selected included exploring nature (36 percent); attending festivals (30 percent); going to the pool (28 percent); camping (20 percent); working out (16 percent); boating/water activities (16 percent); and playing sports (11 percent).

What can a 13 year old do in summer? ›

Fun Indoor Activities for Teenagers
  • Move the furniture around in your room to give it a fresh, new look.
  • Re-do your room with craft projects.
  • Handwrite letters to friends and family.
  • Make a collage for your wall.
  • Experiment with origami.
  • Go to a museum.
  • Learn a new language.
  • Start a journal.
Jul 19, 2019

What are 12 and 13 year olds interested in? ›

Interests vary widely among 13-year-olds, from sports and outdoor games to arts, crafting, baking, and everything in between. In addition, nearly all teens love screens, whether it's video games or TikTok videos.

How do you make a boring summer fun? ›

Boredom Busters
  1. Swim, play tag, toss a ball, dance or jump rope.
  2. Go on a bike ride, walk the dog, go to the park or go on a jog.
  3. Make your celebrations active by going on a hike, playing Frisbee or organizing a volleyball or soccer game.

How can I make summer more fun? ›

Spend as much time outside as possible
  1. Plan elaborate park picnics.
  2. Go to an outdoor concert.
  3. Catch a movie at the drive-in.
  4. Host a backyard barbecue.
  5. Wear sunscreen everyday.
  6. Seek out the country's best swimming holes.
  7. Get into bird watching.
Jun 7, 2022

What is the most popular activity? ›

Most popular hobbies & activities in the U.S. as of December 2023
CharacteristicShare of respondents
Traveling29%
Socializing27%
DIY and arts & crafts26%
Board games / card games24%
9 more rows
Mar 5, 2024

What keeps kids busy for hours? ›

Wrapping Paper Play: If you have rolls of wrapping paper you're willing to sacrifice, children of all ages love to play with it and can be entertained for hours. Older children can design a fort, explore how they can drape it, color the backside, or design something new.

How do I keep my 11 year old busy at home? ›

35 Activities to Keep Kids Busy While You Work or Study
  1. Build a Fort. Create a fort using blankets, coffee tables, couches, boxes or whatever you've got in your home. ...
  2. Gather Donations. ...
  3. Start a Journal. ...
  4. Learn to Draw. ...
  5. Hear a Story from Space. ...
  6. Build the Ultimate Paper Airplane. ...
  7. Put on a Play. ...
  8. Collect Broken Crayons.
Mar 18, 2020

What to do on a boring summer day at home? ›

  1. Start an Indoor Herb Garden.
  2. Make Over Your Entire Wardrobe.
  3. Find a New Workout Routine.
  4. Make a TBR Pile and Commit To It.
  5. Start a Virtual Book Club.
  6. Create a DIY Cooking Competition.
  7. Perfect Your Favorite Recipe.
  8. 8. … Or Work Through an Entire Cookbook.
Jul 7, 2020

How do you survive a boring summer? ›

Summer boredom busters
  1. Create a routine. A routine shapes your child's day and week, helping them understand what to expect and establishing a sense of normalcy. ...
  2. Try new hobbies. ...
  3. Set summer goals. ...
  4. Keep moving. ...
  5. Make an activity jar. ...
  6. Plan an adventure. ...
  7. Tackle a project together. ...
  8. Go virtual.
Jun 17, 2020

How do I keep my 13 year old busy in the summer? ›

Consider these summer activities for teens:
  1. Volunteer. Summertime is a great time to encourage your teen to give back to the community. ...
  2. Get Active. Wondering how to keep a teenager busy during the summer? ...
  3. Learn a New Skill. ...
  4. Get a Job. ...
  5. Keep Their Brains Engaged. ...
  6. Summer Camp.
Jan 24, 2020

How do you cure boredom in the summer? ›

Boredom Busters
  1. Swim, play tag, toss a ball, dance or jump rope.
  2. Go on a bike ride, walk the dog, go to the park or go on a jog.
  3. Make your celebrations active by going on a hike, playing Frisbee or organizing a volleyball or soccer game.

How do I motivate my 12 year old to be lazy? ›

Motivating the Unmotivated Child
  1. Lack of Motivation is a Form of Resistance. ...
  2. All Kids are Motivated by Something. ...
  3. Kids Resist Because They Lack Problem-Solving Skills. ...
  4. Don't Argue or Fight With Your Child About Motivation. ...
  5. Be Clear, Calm, and Give Consequences for Your Child's Behavior. ...
  6. Give Effective Consequences.

How to keep kids busy in summer vacations? ›

Here Are the 11 Summer Activities for Kids
  1. Help them get creative with art and craft.
  2. Let them have a splash of fun.
  3. Introduce them to self-defence.
  4. Loosen their senses with pottery making.
  5. Teach them to cook up a storm.
  6. Nurture the bookworm in them.
  7. Bring them a step closer to nature.
  8. Host a sleepover for them.

How can I spend time with my 12 year old daughter? ›

Invite your preteen to come with you to walk the dog. Ask if you can join them on their run. Washing the car, baking cookies, streaming a movie, watching a favorite TV show — all are opportunities to enjoy each other's company. Time spent together is a chance for kids to talk about what's on their mind.

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