25 Easy Summer Activities for Kids (That Don’t Break the Bank) Leave a comment
Summer with kids can be a whirlwind of energy and excitement — but it doesn’t have to drain your wallet or your patience! As a busy mom of three, I’ve learned how to keep my kiddos happily entertained with simple, affordable activities that spark creativity, get them moving, and let us all soak up that sunshine. I’m sharing 50 of my favorite easy summer activities that won’t break the bank — plus some helpful Amazon finds to make your summer smooth and fun. Ready for stress-free, happy summer days? Let’s go!
Outdoor Fun Ideas
1. DIY Water Balloon Toss
Water balloons = instant giggles. We fill up a bucket, head to the yard, and let the fun begin! Great for cooling off and burning energy.
Amazon pick: Easy-fill water balloon kits make it quick and less messy.
2. Sidewalk Chalk Art
Perfect for little hands and big imaginations. My kids love creating their own sidewalk masterpieces while I sip coffee nearby!
Amazon pick: Jumbo sidewalk chalk sets with vibrant colors.
3. Backyard Scavenger Hunt
Create a simple list of things to find outside—like a pinecone, feather, or a red flower. My kids love racing to find everything first!
Amazon pick: Waterproof scavenger hunt cards for easy printing and reuse.
4. Bubble Chasing
Bubbles are magic for all ages. I like handheld bubble wands with different shapes to keep it exciting.
Amazon pick: Bubble machines for hands-free endless bubbles.
5. Mini Garden Planting
Even toddlers can dig, plant, and water their own little pots. It’s educational and satisfying watching things grow!
Amazon pick: Kid-friendly gardening kits with easy seeds.
Indoor Creative Play
6. Homemade Playdough
We make our own playdough with simple kitchen ingredients — inexpensive and fun to customize with colors and scents! Easy Homemade Playdough Recipe for Hours of Fun! Making your own playdough is a fun and budget-friendly activity — perfect for busy moms who want to keep little hands entertained without screen time. This recipe lasts for months and is soft, squishy, and totally customizable!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup salt
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
Directions:
- In a saucepan, combine the flour, salt, and cream of tartar.
- In a separate bowl, mix the vegetable oil and water.
- Place the saucepan on medium heat, then slowly stir in the wet mixture.
- Stir constantly until the dough thickens and pulls away from the sides (about 3–4 minutes).
- Remove from heat and let it cool on parchment paper.
- Once cool, knead until smooth.
- Store in an airtight container or plastic bag.
✨ Add fun extras! Mix in food coloring, essential oils, or powdered drink mix for colorful and scented dough your kids will love.
💡 Tip: If it’s still sticky, cook it a bit longer until it forms a firm dough.
Amazon pick: Non-toxic food coloring sets to brighten up homemade playdough.
7. Paper Plate Crafts
From animals to masks, paper plates are a cheap and versatile canvas for creativity. I keep a stash ready for rainy days.
Amazon pick: Craft kits with googly eyes, pom-poms, and glue sticks.
8. Story Time Forts
Build a cozy blanket fort and bring favorite books inside for a magical reading nook. My kids ask for this one almost daily!
Amazon pick: Clip-on reading lights perfect for forts.
9. Sticker Scenes
Sticker books with reusable backgrounds are easy to set up and endless in storytelling possibilities. Great for quiet solo play.
Amazon pick: Large sticker activity books with various themes.
10. Simple Science Experiments
Volcanoes with baking soda and vinegar or color mixing with water and food coloring keep curiosity alive.
Amazon pick: Science kits with kid-friendly experiments.
On-the-Go & Travel Activities
11. Busy Boards for Car Rides
Great for toddler distraction during drives or waiting rooms. They engage little hands with zippers, buttons, and textures.
Amazon pick: Compact busy boards with multiple activities.
12. Travel-Sized Magnetic Games
Perfect for family outings or visits. We love magnetic tic-tac-toe and checkers to keep kids entertained without loose pieces.
Amazon pick: Magnetic travel game sets.
13. Snack Time Sorting
Pack a variety of small snacks and a few muffin tins. Kids can sort colors, shapes, or flavors — educational and delicious!
Amazon pick: BPA-free snack containers for portion control.
14. Drawing Clipboards
Give kids a clipboard with paper and colored pencils to sketch wherever you go. It’s calming and sparks imagination.
Amazon pick: Durable kids’ clipboards with storage.
15. Audiobook Adventures
Load up kid-friendly audiobooks on your phone for screen-free entertainment on the go.
Amazon pick: Kid-friendly Bluetooth headphones that fit little heads.
Water Play & Cooling Off
16. Sprinkler Running
The classic! We set up a sprinkler in the yard and watch the kids run and giggle for hours.
Amazon pick: Adjustable garden sprinklers with different spray patterns.
17. DIY Sensory Water Table
Fill a shallow tub with water, add cups, spoons, and toys for endless splashy fun. Great for toddler sensory play!
Amazon pick: Portable water tables with covers for easy storage.
18. Ice Cube Painting
Freeze colored water in ice cube trays with popsicle sticks and let kids paint on paper as the ice melts. So cool and creative!
Amazon pick: Non-toxic washable paint sets.
19. Floating Bath Toys
After a hot day, bath time is extra fun with floating toys or even bath crayons for drawing on the tub walls.
Amazon pick: Interactive bath toy sets.
20. Water Gun Battles
Bring out the water guns for friendly battles in the backyard — perfect for hot days and lots of laughs.
Amazon pick: Easy-to-use water guns with refillable tanks. [Insert your Amazon affiliate link here]
Quiet Time & Educational Fun
21. Puzzle Play
We keep puzzles with varying difficulty levels for all ages — quiet, screen-free fun that builds skills.
Amazon pick: Wooden and foam puzzles for toddlers and older kids.
22. Alphabet Scavenger Hunt
Find objects around the house or yard that start with each letter of the alphabet. Great for early literacy.
Amazon pick: Alphabet flashcards for reference and practice.
23. DIY Sticker Books
Use blank notebooks and stickers to make personalized sticker books. Kids love creating their own stories.
Amazon pick: Variety sticker packs with animals, vehicles, and more.
24. Learning Apps & Games
Limit screen time but use educational apps for occasional learning boosts. I choose apps with no ads or in-app purchases.
Amazon pick: Kid-friendly tablets with parental controls.
25. Coloring Books & Crayons
Simple, classic, and calming. We always have fresh crayons and themed coloring books for quiet afternoons.
Amazon pick: Jumbo crayon packs with vibrant colors.
Summer with kids doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. With a little creativity, some easy activities, and the right mom hacks, you can make this season full of joyful memories and minimal stress.
If you loved this list, don’t forget to follow me for more mom hacks and Amazon favorites that make busy mom life easier. And please share this post with your fellow moms so everyone can enjoy a fabulous, budget-friendly summer! Pin this list to keep your summer fun ideas handy all season! Follow BizeeMom808 for more budget-friendly parenting tips and activities you’ll love.
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