10 Cheap Summer Activities for Kids

Summertime is here, and your kids are ready to explore, play, and have fun. Unfortunately, summer boredom can set in fast, especially if your kids are not enrolled in summer programs and camps.

If programs and camps are out of budget this year, that doesn't mean your kids can't have a fun-filled summer! It's quite the opposite. Your child can enjoy quite a few activities that are cheap or free.

Some of these activities are even free (yes, you read that right)! Family Days Out has put together a list of 10 activities that your kids can enjoy without you having to spend a large amount of money.

So, here are some fun, cheap activities for summertime that your kids will enjoy.

Cheap or Free Summer Activities

Check out these ten kid-friendly summer activities!

Explore Local Parks

One of the top free outdoor summer activities is exploring local parks. Most local park options feature a playground or various courts for sports like tennis, basketball, and more. Grab your sports gear, water, and a picnic, and head to the park.

Make sure to pack enough snacks and drinks, and you can spend an entire day outside at the park. Keep this activity fun by trying a new park each time.

Sign Up for the Local Library

If you have yet to sign up your whole family for a library card, now's the time! Library cards are absolutely free and give your kids access to many books. Nowadays, libraries also have many audiobooks and DVDs – all free! Having a library card is a great tool all summer long.

As a bonus, libraries typically offer free or lower-cost activities or workshops for kids. Sign your children up for a few of these library activities, and you'll be keeping your kids busy in no time.

Camping in Your Own Backyard

What’s better than falling asleep under the night sky? How about enjoying views of the night sky in your backyard? You can save money and create summer fun by pitching a tent in the backyard. Pick up items for smores and tell spooky stories around a fire or fire pit behind the house.

You'll be saving gas money and camping fees by opting for this option. If you have older kids, you can even let them camp solo in the backyard to have some independence.

Have a Paper Bag Puppet Show

Creating paper bag puppets allows kids to be creative and is a budget-friendly activity. You'll need paper bags and markers to make your puppets. Once the puppets are ready, you and your kids can write down a script and act out a puppet show.

Make it even more fun by serving popcorn and snacks to create a show-like atmosphere.

Draw Hopscotch on the Sidewalk

Fun ideas don't have to be complex; they can be as simple as using chalk to draw hopscotch on your driveway or sidewalk. Let your kids create their own version of hopscotch and watch them hop the summer away.

Make Homemade Ice Cream

Homemade ice cream is a favorite activity for many! You’ll need milk, vanilla extract, sugar, salt, ice cubes, and two plastic baggies. Mix the milk, vanilla, and sugar in a smaller baggie. Then, place salt and ice in a larger bag. Add the smaller bag to the middle and shake until the ice cream forms.

Set up a toppings table with whipped cream, sprinkles, etc., for an extra exciting event.

Paint Rocks

This idea might seem odd, but it's a low-cost summer activity that will keep your kids happy and only requires a few items. You don't need to buy rocks for this fun summer activity. Take a few hours with your kids and "hunt" for the perfect rocks to paint.

Then, you’ll need a few paintbrushes and kid-friendly paint. Spend the afternoon painting rocks with fun sayings and cute animals (like ladybugs). These make great gifts for the neighbors; you can put them outside their front door and watch their faces light up.

Visit the Zoo

Spending a day at the zoo is a beautiful way to enjoy the warm weather. Kids can learn about the animals while seeing them up-close and personal. The zoo also typically offers activities or fun programs for the whole family. Check your local zoo's calendar to find out when these activities are occurring.

Often, these activities include free games, scavenger hunts, coloring, and more. Keep this activity at a lower budget by bringing your own snacks and drinks to avoid overpriced options.

Set up a Talent Show

This activity is a great option for the whole family! Whether your family members want to play an instrument, sing, perform an act, dance, or more – it will be a night to remember. Let your kids know at least a day in advance so they can prep their act and costumes.

There doesn't have to be a winner for this talent show; everyone can receive participation certificates (free to print or draw at home). Sit back and enjoy watching your significant other and kids perform during this at-home talent show.

Another fun idea is to include a few of your kids' friends in the talent show. Watch them strut their stuff and let their creativity out as you enjoy a goofy, silly show.

Create a Scavenger Hunt

Try creating a scavenger hunt in the backyard or around the neighborhood next time you're looking for fun summer activities for the kids. A scavenger hunt doesn't have to be complex; you can even have them look for landmarks, stop signs, etc.

Don't forget to put together a prize! Some prize ideas include an ice cream cone for the winner, picking a family activity, or choosing the movie for the next family night.

See? Creating a fun and exciting summer doesn’t have to be challenging. Start with the above activities for lower-cost/free options and go from there. Don’t be afraid to repeat activities, like heading to the zoo a few times.

Have more fun, cheap summer activities for kids that you want to share? Let us know in the comments below!