51 Cheap And Creative Summer Activities For Kids: Fun Without Breaking the Bank
Summer break is the perfect time for kids to take a break from their usual routine, explore the outdoors, and enjoy a little more freedom. However, the cost of family vacations and pricey outings can sometimes put a damper on the summer fun.
But what if I told you that you don’t need to empty your wallet to create unforgettable summer memories? In fact, there are countless cheap and creative summer activities for kids that will keep them entertained, active, and even learning all without breaking the bank.
In this guide, you’ll discover a wide variety of affordable, fun-filled ideas to keep your little ones engaged all summer long. So if you’re looking for ways to beat the heat or need indoor activities for rainy days, this list of summer activities for kids will spark creativity, laughter, and a whole lot of fun!
51 Cheap And Creative Summer Activities For Kids
1. Nature Scavenger Hunt
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Take your kids outdoors for a nature scavenger hunt! Whether in the park, your backyard, or on a nature trail, create a list of things for your kids to find, like a pine cone, a feather, or a wildflower.
This is one of the best summer activities for kids that promotes exploration, learning about the environment, and outdoor exercise.
2. DIY Water Park
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Create your very own water park with a sprinkler, water balloons, and a slip-n-slide.
Set it up in the backyard and let your kids run wild with water themed games. You can even have them compete in fun water challenges.
3. Sidewalk Chalk Art
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Let the pavement become their canvas! Sidewalk chalk is an inexpensive and creative way to keep kids entertained.
From drawing intricate designs to playing games like hopscotch, sidewalk chalk is one of the simplest yet most fun summer activities for kids.
4. Family Picnic in the Park
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Pack a picnic basket with sandwiches, snacks, and drinks, then head to your local park.
This simple activity allows kids to enjoy nature, eat outside, and play games like frisbee, catch, or soccer. It’s an easy way to combine food, fun, and family time.
5. Baking Challenge
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Let your kids take the lead in the kitchen! Choose a simple recipe for cookies, cupcakes, or a pie, and let the little chefs decorate their creations.
Baking is not only a fun summer activity for kids, but it also teaches them essential skills like measuring and following directions.
6. Homemade Popsicles
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Beat the summer heat with homemade popsicles! You can use fresh fruit, juice, or yogurt to create a variety of flavors.
Let your kids choose their favorite ingredients, and watch them enjoy the chilly treat. It’s an affordable, tasty summer activity for kids that everyone will love.
7. Build a Fort
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Grab some blankets, pillows, and chairs, and let your kids construct their very own fort.
Whether indoors on a rainy day or outside in the shade, building forts is a creative, free, and fun way to pass the time.
8. Outdoor Movie Night
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Set up a projector in the backyard and create an outdoor movie theater experience.
Make some popcorn, grab a blanket, and let the kids watch their favorite movie under the stars. This is one of those summer activities for kids that will surely create lasting memories.
9. DIY Bird Feeder
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Create a bird feeder using materials you already have at home, such as pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed.
This easy and inexpensive activity can teach kids about wildlife while encouraging them to watch and learn about the birds that visit.
10. Visit a Free Museum or Zoo Day
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Many museums and zoos offer free days or discounts for families. Check out your local listings for free or low cost educational experiences that can be just as fun as any paid attraction.
11. Teddy Bear Picnic
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Let your kids invite their stuffed animals to join in on the fun with a teddy bear picnic.
Lay out a blanket and enjoy snacks with their favorite plush friends, making this a fun and inexpensive way to engage their imaginations.
12. Go Camping in the Backyard
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Pitch a tent in the backyard for a camping experience that’s just as exciting as going into the wilderness.
Roast marshmallows over a fire pit, tell stories, and sleep under the stars for a unique experience. Backyard camping is one of the most creative summer activities for kids.
13. Bubble Fun
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Blow bubbles with your kids using a bubble wand or even make your own bubble solution at home.
For added fun, create bubble art by dipping items like sponges, spools, or straws into the bubble solution and pressing them onto paper.
14. DIY Tie-Dye Shirts
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Tie-dye is a messy but fun activity! Buy a plain white shirt and fabric dye, and let your kids get creative with patterns and colors.
They’ll love wearing their one-of-a-kind creations all summer long.
15. Obstacle Course
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Create a fun obstacle course in your backyard using whatever you have on hand, chairs, hula hoops, cones, or jump ropes.
Challenge your kids to complete the course, timing them to see who finishes first.
16. Paint Rocks
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Head to the park or your local nature reserve to collect some smooth rocks.
Bring them home and let the kids paint them with bright colors or fun designs. Painted rocks can be used for games or as decorations for the garden.
17. DIY Craft Station
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Set up a craft station at home where your kids can unleash their creativity.
Gather materials like paper, glue, scissors, and markers and allow them to make everything from paper plate animals to handmade cards. Crafting is always a win when it comes to summer activities for kids.
18. DIY Obstacle Course with Pool Noodles
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Turn simple pool noodles into an obstacle course. Lay them on the ground or hang them between trees to create a fun and safe course for the kids to crawl under or jump over. Add some challenges and time them for extra fun!
19. Plant a Garden
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Even if you have a small patch of earth or a few pots on the windowsill, planting a garden is an educational and fun activity for kids.
Teach them about different plants, flowers, and even vegetables, and watch them grow throughout the summer.
20. Craft a Nature Journal
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Encourage kids to get outside and observe their surroundings by creating a nature journal.
They can sketch plants, flowers, or animals, and write down their thoughts or discoveries. It’s a great way to inspire creativity and an appreciation for nature.
21. DIY Playdough Fun
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Mix up a batch of homemade playdough with flour, salt, water, and food coloring. Let the kids roll, mold, and shape their creations.
Playdough is an inexpensive and creative way to foster imagination and fine motor skills in young children.
22. Water Balloon Fight
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One of the ultimate summer activities for kids is a water balloon fight. Fill up a bunch of balloons, set up an arena, and let the water wars begin.
This is a great way to keep kids active while cooling off in the summer heat.
23. Paper Airplane Contest
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Teach your kids how to make paper airplanes, then have a contest to see whose plane flies the farthest.
You can also create a “flight path” with targets to aim for, adding more challenge to this simple yet fun activity.
24. Bug Hunt
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Get outside and explore nature by going on a bug hunt.
Give your kids magnifying glasses and challenge them to find as many different types of insects as possible. You can even create a “bug journal” to document their discoveries.
25. DIY Mini Bowling
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Set up a mini bowling alley in your hallway or backyard using empty plastic bottles as pins and a soft ball.
Kids will love competing to see who can knock down the most pins, and it’s a great game for teamwork and friendly competition.
26. Create a Time Capsule
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Help your kids gather some of their favorite things like drawings, small toys, or a newspaper from the day and create a time capsule to be opened in the future.
This activity encourages reflection and is a fun way to mark the passage of time.
27. Build a Sandcastle
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If you’re near a beach or have a sandbox, sandcastle building is a classic summer activity for kids that never gets old.
Gather your shovels, buckets, and creative ideas to build towering structures and intricate designs.
28. Rock Climbing (Indoor or Outdoor)
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If your kids are looking for a more active challenge, rock climbing is a great way to build strength and coordination.
Many places offer free or low cost introductory sessions, or you can try out some outdoor boulders if available.
29. Create a Summer Scrapbook
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Encourage your kids to document their summer adventures by creating a scrapbook.
They can add photos, ticket stubs, drawings, and write little stories about the places they’ve visited and activities they’ve enjoyed.
30. Make a Summer Music Playlist
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Help your kids create their own summer music playlist. They can pick their favorite songs, and then have a dance party to celebrate.
This is an easy, inexpensive way to engage kids and get them moving to the beat.
31. DIY Kite Flying
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Buy or make kites with your kids and take them to an open field to fly them.
Kite flying is a fantastic way to get outdoors and have fun with simple materials. Plus, the process of making the kite can be part of the creative journey.
32. Create a Summer Bucket List
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Sit down with your kids and create a summer bucket list of all the activities they want to try.
Having a visual reminder of their goals for the summer will keep them excited and motivated to try new things.
33. Storytime and Puppet Show
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Encourage your kids to create their own stories and then act them out with homemade puppets.
Use socks, craft paper, or even popsicle sticks to make characters, then put on a fun and imaginative puppet show for the whole family.
34. Make Salt Dough Creations
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Salt dough is easy to make and is perfect for crafting. Kids can roll, mold, and shape the dough into figurines, animals, or ornaments.
Once they dry, they can be painted and turned into keepsakes.
35. Scavenger Hunt in the Backyard
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Create a backyard scavenger hunt by hiding various items or clues around the yard.
Each clue will lead to the next, and your kids will love the thrill of solving riddles and discovering hidden treasures.
36. Water Relay Race
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Set up a water relay race using cups or sponges to transport water from one container to another.
You can make this activity competitive by dividing the kids into teams and timing them. It’s an awesome way to cool off while burning off some energy.
37. Create a DIY Carnival
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Transform your backyard into a DIY carnival. Set up different game stations such as ring toss, bean bag toss, or a dunk tank (using a small pool). The kids can earn tickets and trade them in for prizes.
38. Fly a Drone
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If you have access to a drone, let your kids have fun flying it around.
This activity is perfect for tech loving kids and provides a unique way to explore their environment from above. You can even have a drone race for added excitement.
39. Fruit Picking at a Local Farm
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Many farms offer inexpensive opportunities to pick your own fruits like strawberries, apples, or peaches.
Not only is this a fun summer activity for kids, but it also gives them an opportunity to learn about where food comes from.
40. Ice Cream Sundae Bar
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Set up an ice cream sundae bar with various toppings like sprinkles, chocolate chips, and whipped cream.
Kids will love creating their own ice cream masterpieces, and it’s a fun (and affordable) treat for hot summer days.
41. Campfire and Storytelling
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If you have a fire pit or access to a safe outdoor space for a campfire, gather around to roast marshmallows and tell stories.
Kids can create their own stories or share their favorite tales while enjoying a cozy fire.
42. DIY Playhouse
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Let your kids design and create their own playhouse using cardboard boxes, blankets, and furniture.
This imaginative activity allows them to create their own little world, and they can decorate it however they like.
43. Create a Sensory Bin
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Fill a large container with rice, beans, or water beads and let your kids explore textures and colors.
Sensory bins are an excellent way to engage young children in tactile play that helps with sensory development.
44. Silly String Wars
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Get some cans of silly string and let the kids have a hilarious, lighthearted war.
This activity is easy to clean up and guaranteed to have everyone laughing as they spray silly string at each other.
45. Treasure Hunt in the House
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If you’re stuck indoors on a rainy day, set up a treasure hunt in the house.
Hide small items or treats around and provide clues for the kids to find the hidden treasure. This is a simple and creative way to keep them entertained for hours.
46. DIY Scrap Paper Confetti
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Cut up old magazines, construction paper, or even leftover wrapping paper into tiny confetti pieces.
Have the kids make their own confetti and use it for fun crafts or celebratory activities.
47. Building with LEGO Bricks
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LEGO bricks are a timeless toy that encourages imagination and problem solving.
Challenge your kids to build specific structures or let them create whatever they can imagine. There’s no limit to what can be built with a pile of LEGOs!
48. Make Your Own Snow Cones
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Create homemade snow cones by crushing ice and adding flavored syrups.
You can even get creative and make your own syrups with fruit juice. This is an affordable and refreshing treat for a hot summer day.
49. DIY Slime Making
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Slime is a huge hit with kids and is easy to make at home with simple ingredients like glue, baking soda, and contact solution.
Let your kids create their own batches in different colors and textures. This messy but fun activity is perfect for rainy days.
50. Create a Family Art Gallery
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Set up an art gallery in your home to display your kids’ drawings, paintings, or crafts.
This can be a fun way to encourage creativity while also turning your home into a mini art museum.
51. Visit a Farmer’s Market
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Take a trip to a local farmer’s market to pick up fresh produce and support local vendors. Many markets offer fun activities for kids, like petting zoos or face painting, and it’s a great way to explore the local community.
Summer is the time to relax, have fun, and get creative, all while spending time with family. With these 51 cheap and creative summer activities for kids, you’ll have plenty of ways to keep your kids engaged, learning, and most importantly having fun.
If you’re looking for backyard adventures, arts and crafts, or outdoor play, these ideas will fill your days with joy without putting a dent in your wallet.
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