37 Cheap And Fun Outdoor Summer Activities For Kids: Unleash the Magic of Summer Fun
Summer is here, and that magical time of year when the sun lingers longer in the sky, the air smells of fresh grass and flowers and the sound of children’s laughter fills the neighborhood is finally upon us.
If you’re a parent, guardian or caregiver, you know that summer is the perfect opportunity to let kids run wild breathe in the sunshine, explore and most importantly, create memories that will last a lifetime. But with the rising cost of everything, it’s not always easy to find activities that are both fun and budget-friendly.
The beauty of summer, however, lies in its simplicity. Some of the best memories are made not with expensive gadgets or lavish trips, but with a few basic items, your imagination and the great outdoors.
Imagine watching your child’s face light up as they take part in a water balloon fight or when they discover a bug under a rock for the first time. These moments are pure magic, and they don’t come with a hefty price tag.
So, in the spirit of making this summer unforgettable, here’s a list of 37 cheap, fun, and easy outdoor summer activities for kids.
37 Cheap And Fun Outdoor Summer Activities For Kids
1. Water Balloon Fight
What’s summer without a good ol’ water balloon fight? All you need is a pack of balloons and a hose. Split the kids into teams or just let them go wild, tossing balloons at each other in a race to see who can get the most soaked. Not only does this cool them off, but it also brings out their competitive spirits in the best way possible.
2. Nature Scavenger Hunt
Encourage kids to explore their surroundings by creating a nature-themed scavenger hunt. Give them a list of items to find things like a smooth rock, a feather, or a yellow flower.
This is a fantastic way to teach kids about the environment while keeping them entertained. You can make it more educational by asking them to identify the different plants and insects they come across.
3. Backyard Obstacle Course
Transform your backyard into a mini boot camp. Using simple materials like pool noodles, hula hoops and blankets, you can set up an obstacle course that challenges kids to crawl under, jump over and climb through different obstacles.
It’s a fun, active way to burn off energy, and the kids will feel so accomplished when they make it through.
4. Sidewalk Chalk Art Gallery
Let the kids’ imaginations run wild with sidewalk chalk. Encourage them to create masterpieces on your driveway or sidewalk.
Whether it’s a giant hopscotch board, a rainbow or a 3D dragon, the possibilities are endless. You can even turn it into a family art competition with prizes for creativity.
5. DIY Water Park
Why spend money at a water park when you can bring the fun right to your backyard? Set up sprinklers, slip ‘n slides, and kiddie pools for hours of wet and wild fun.
Kids can run through sprinklers, slide down the slip ‘n slide, or just relax in the pool with their favorite toys. You could even create a DIY foam party by filling a kiddie pool with bubbles. It’s an activity that’s as fun as it is cooling.
6. Outdoor Movie Night
Turn your backyard into a cozy outdoor theater with a projector and a white sheet or wall. Choose a few of their favorite family friendly movies and have a movie marathon under the stars. Don’t forget the popcorn.
This is an activity that not only provides entertainment but also a bit of nostalgia. Kids will feel like they’re in a magical movie world.
7. Bug Hunt and Insect Observation
Introduce the world of bugs to your kids in a fun and educational way. Equip them with magnifying glasses and have them hunt for bugs in your garden or park.
Make it a learning experience by teaching them about the insects they find. You can even keep a little “bug journal” where they draw and record their discoveries!
8. Make a DIY Bird Feeder
Kids love crafting, and this one also invites nature into the mix. Using simple materials like peanut butter, birdseed, and a toilet paper roll, help kids make their own bird feeder.
Once it’s set up, they can watch the birds enjoy their creation. It’s a calm and rewarding activity that connects children to the environment.
9. Hopscotch Tournament
An oldie but a goodie! Draw a large hopscotch grid with sidewalk chalk and challenge the kids to see who can get through it the fastest or who can land their stone closest to the number one spot.
This activity is great for honing their motor skills, balancing, and concentration all while having fun.
10. Leaf Boat Races
Grab some fallen leaves and set them afloat on a nearby stream, pond, or even a shallow container of water. Create little “boats” with leaves and twigs, then race them to see whose boat reaches the finish line first. It’s simple, but it teaches kids about teamwork and patience.
11. Camping in the Backyard
Set up a tent, gather some sleeping bags, and have a mini camping adventure in your own backyard. Tell stories around the “campfire” (or use a flashlight for effect), make s’mores, and sleep under the stars.
This is a perfect summer activity for kids who are too young for a real camping trip, but still want the experience.
12. Outdoor Bowling
Repurpose some plastic bottles and a rubber ball to create your own bowling alley. Set up the pins in your driveway or yard, and let the kids take turns rolling the ball to knock them down.
You can make it even more fun by decorating the pins with different designs or using colored balls for variety.
13. Catch and Release Fishing
If you have access to a nearby lake or river, fishing is an excellent way to connect with nature. Provide a simple rod and some bait, and teach kids how to fish.
If they don’t catch anything, no worries t’s more about the experience and the patience involved. Plus, they can get the joy of releasing their catch back into the water.
14. DIY Slip ‘N Slide
Using a large tarp, set up a slip ‘n slide in your backyard. Add a little dish soap and water for extra slickness, and let the kids race each other down. You can even create a “splash zone” at the end by filling a pool with water for them to jump into.
15. Mini Golf in the Backyard
You don’t need a fancy course to play mini-golf. Set up your own mini golf course using household items like cups, books, and pool noodles.
Create creative obstacles and have fun seeing who can get the ball in the hole with the least amount of strokes. It’s a great way to get outside and enjoy some friendly competition.
16. Create a Time Capsule
What better way to remember this summer than by creating a time capsule? Have the kids gather small items that represent their current summer, like a favorite toy, a drawing, a family photo, or even a piece of a broken toy they no longer play with.
Then, bury it in the backyard or store it somewhere safe to open in a few years. It’s a simple yet meaningful activity that allows kids to reflect on how much they’ve grown.
17. Nature Walk with a Twist
Take a regular nature walk to the next level by turning it into an adventure. Challenge the kids to find a specific number of things on a checklist, such as a bird’s nest, a pinecone, a blue flower or a piece of trash to recycle.
The added purpose makes the walk more exciting, and they’ll feel accomplished as they tick off each item.
18. DIY Bubble Station
Kids absolutely love bubbles! Set up a DIY bubble station with different sizes of wands, bubble solution and even some DIY bubble making tools.
You can even teach them how to make their own bubble solution using dish soap, water and glycerin. Watch as they delight in chasing and popping bubbles or blowing the biggest bubbles they can.
19. Kite Flying Adventure
If there’s a nearby open field, a breezy day is the perfect time to fly kites. You can purchase an inexpensive kite or make one at home using cardboard and string.
Flying a kite helps kids develop patience, coordination, and an understanding of wind patterns. Plus, there’s nothing like watching a colorful kite soar high in the sky.
20. Backyard Picnic
Pack up some simple sandwiches, snacks and refreshing drinks and head outside for a picnic in the backyard or park. Spread a blanket, and let the kids enjoy eating al fresco.
You can elevate the experience by letting them bring their favorite stuffed animals or playing games like “I Spy” during the meal.
21. Build a Sandcastle
If you have access to a beach or even a sandbox, sandcastle building is a timeless summer activity. Equip your kids with buckets, shovels, and creative ideas for building epic sandcastles.
You can even add decorations like seashells or leaves to make them more unique. This is a wonderful way to spend hours outdoors, letting kids get their hands dirty while being creative.
22. Tug-of-War
Bring back this classic backyard game with a rope and two teams. The goal is simple: pull the other team across the line. This game is perfect for developing teamwork, strength, and resilience.
You can switch things up by making the rope even longer or adding challenges along the way.
23. DIY Rainbow Hunt
Create a colorful scavenger hunt with a twist. Ask the kids to find objects outside that match each color of the rainbow.
From red flowers to green leaves, it’s a fun way to get them thinking about the world around them while hunting for nature’s most colorful treasures. At the end, you can gather the items and make a mini rainbow display together.
24. Outdoor Art Show
Get the kids involved in creating outdoor art by setting up an art station with supplies like paper, paint, crayons, and markers. Once the masterpieces are complete, hold an outdoor art show where they can display their work and walk around, admiring each other’s creativity.
This activity not only nurtures their artistic talents but gives them a sense of pride in what they’ve created.
25. Jump Rope Contest
Get the kids active by challenging them to a jump rope contest. Set a timer and see how long each child can jump without stopping.
You can make it more exciting by introducing fun variations, such as double jumps or jump rope songs. It’s an excellent way to get kids moving while also improving their coordination.
26. Geocaching Adventure
If you’re looking for an outdoor activity that’s a little more tech savvy, try geocaching. Geocaching is like a treasure hunt, where you use GPS coordinates to find hidden treasures in the form of caches.
You can find local geocaching spots through websites or apps, and it’s an exciting way for kids to explore their surroundings while solving clues.
27. Create a Backyard Carnival
Turn your backyard into a mini carnival with a few simple DIY games like a ring toss, a bean bag toss, or a “knock over the cans” game.
Set up some booths with tickets for fun prizes, and watch as the kids race between stations trying to win the most tickets. The best part? You can set up games based on what they enjoy most.
28. Popsicle Making Party
Making your own popsicles is both a fun and refreshing summer activity. You can use juice, yogurt, or even blended fruit to create custom popsicle flavors.
Let the kids get creative by adding fun ingredients like berries, sprinkles, or gummy candies. Afterward, enjoy your homemade popsicles on a hot summer day.
29. Shadow Puppets
When the sun is low in the sky, take advantage of the light to make shadow puppets. Use your hands, objects, or even animals to create fun shapes against the wall, and then make up a little story around the shadows.
This is a simple yet charming activity that sparks the imagination and helps children practice their storytelling skills.
30. Plant a Garden
Whether it’s flowers, vegetables, or herbs, gardening is a wonderful way to teach kids responsibility while connecting with nature.
Allow them to pick out their own plants and help them plant seeds, water, and watch them grow over the summer. Not only is it educational, but it’s also a rewarding activity that can create a beautiful outdoor space.
31. Capture the Flag
This energetic game is a hit in many summer camps and is easy to set up. Split the kids into two teams and assign each team a “flag” (or any object).
The goal is to capture the opposing team’s flag while protecting your own. It’s a game of strategy, teamwork, and good old-fashioned fun, perfect for burning off all that summer energy.
32. Ice Block Excavation
Fill a large container with small toys, figurines, or even coins, and freeze it to create an “ice block.” Then, give the kids tools like plastic hammers, spoons, or even salt to excavate the items from the ice.
This activity is both a fun challenge and a cool sensory experience for kids on a hot day.
33. DIY Tic-Tac-Toe
Create a giant tic-tac-toe board using tape, chalk, or cardboard. Instead of regular X’s and O’s, you can use bean bags, frisbees or other items.
This classic game is simple yet entertaining for kids and it’s easy to set up for hours of fun.
34. Stomp Rockets
You can make your own stomp rockets by using a plastic bottle, a straw, and a piece of paper. It’s as simple as stomping on the bottle to launch your rocket into the air.
Kids will love the excitement of seeing their rocket shoot high into the sky and it’s a great way to incorporate some science into their playtime.
35. Balloon Volleyball
Create a makeshift volleyball court using a rope or a string tied between two posts, and instead of a regular volleyball, use a balloon.
This game is perfect for kids of all ages and can be played indoors or outdoors. The slow-moving balloon makes it easy for even younger kids to participate.
36. Create a Weather Station
Help kids learn about weather patterns by creating a simple weather station in your backyard. Use everyday items like a plastic bottle (for a rain gauge), a flag (for wind direction) or a thermometer (to measure temperature).
Let the kids become junior meteorologists and track the weather throughout the summer.
37. DIY Floating Boat Race
Turn your backyard or local pond into a boat race track with homemade floating boats.
Use plastic bottles, leaves or even paper cups to make boats, and race them by blowing on them or using small fans. It’s a great combination of creativity, competition, and the joy of outdoor play.
These 37 cheap and fun outdoor activities will not only help your kids stay entertained but will also give them the opportunity to explore, discover, and enjoy the great outdoors.
From water balloon fights to nature walks, each activity is an opportunity for laughter, learning, and making memories that will last far beyond the summer months.
So, get ready to embark on an adventure because the best days of the year are just waiting to be lived out in the sunshine.
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