30 Ways to Make Summer Fun for Kids (Without Breaking the Bank)

Last Updated on May 23, 2025

Summer break: three months of sunshine, free time, and the age-old parental question—“How do I keep the kids entertained?”

The good news is, summer fun for kids doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. It just needs a little planning, a dash of creativity, and a willingness to let things get a little messy.

Here are 30 summer activity ideas that will keep kids happy, active, and off screens—for at least a little while.

Jump to:

• 1. Backyard Water Day
• 2. Build a Fort
• 3. Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt
• 4. Start a Lemonade Stand
• 5. Try Backyard Camping
• 6. Visit the Library
• 7. Create a Summer Journal
• 8. Make Popsicles
• 9. Do a “No Boredom Box”
• 10. Explore a Local Museum or Zoo
• 11. Paint Rocks
• 12. Host a Backyard Movie Night
• 13. Learn a New Skill Together
• 14. Visit a Farmers Market
• 15. Set Up a Mini Olympics
• 16. Do a Weekly “Yes Day”
• 17. Make a Time Capsule
• 18. Volunteer as a Family
• 19. Set Up a DIY Art Studio
• 20. Try Geocaching
• 21. Plan a Day Trip
• 22. Grow Something
• 23. Let Them Get Bored
• 24. Make Shadow Art
• 25. Cook a Meal Together
• 26. Create a Backyard Obstacle Course
• 27. Write and Mail Letters
• 28. Do a Weekly Theme Day
• 29. Make a Family Bucket List
• 30. Just Be Present
• Premium Member Exclusive
• This Freebie is for Premium Members Only!

1. Backyard Water Day

If you’ve got a hose, you’ve got a water park. Set up a sprinkler, fill up some water balloons, or make a DIY slip-n-slide with a tarp and dish soap. Invite the neighbors and turn it into a mini block party.

2. Build a Fort

Indoors or outdoors, kids love building forts. Use blankets, boxes, chairs, and whatever else is handy. Bonus points if there’s a snack stash and story time inside.

3. Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt

Make a list of items to find—acorns, feathers, smooth rocks, a red flower—and head to the park or a trail. Great for learning and burns off energy too.

4. Start a Lemonade Stand

It teaches kids about money, customer service, and teamwork. Plus, it gives them a reason to be proud of their work (and maybe make a few bucks).

5. Try Backyard Camping

Set up a tent, bring flashlights and marshmallows, and sleep under the stars—even if it’s just 20 feet from your kitchen.

6. Visit the Library

Most libraries run summer reading programs with free activities, prizes, and themed events. It’s air-conditioned, quiet (ish), and educational.

7. Create a Summer Journal

Encourage kids to write a few lines each day, draw pictures, or glue in keepsakes. It’s a nice way to practice writing and capture memories.

8. Make Popsicles

Blend fruit and juice, pour into molds (or paper cups with sticks), and freeze. Kids love the process almost as much as the results.

9. Do a “No Boredom Box”

Fill a box with craft supplies, puzzles, coloring books, stickers, and small toys. Let kids dip into it only when they claim “there’s nothing to do.”

10. Explore a Local Museum or Zoo

Look for free days or discounted family passes. Bonus: many places have splash pads or picnic areas nearby.

11. Paint Rocks

Easy, affordable, and fun. Use them as garden decorations or leave them around town with uplifting messages.

12. Host a Backyard Movie Night

Hang a sheet, borrow a projector, and let the kids pick a movie. Serve popcorn and snacks for a full movie-theater experience.

13. Learn a New Skill Together

Sign up for a beginner’s class in pottery, cooking, archery—anything. The point is to try something new and bond over the experience.

14. Visit a Farmers Market

Give each child a small budget and let them pick out fruits, veggies, or a treat. It teaches budgeting, nutrition, and appreciation for fresh food.

15. Set Up a Mini Olympics

Three-legged races, spoon-egg relays, hula hoop contests. Keep it silly and low-stress. Invite other families to join in.

16. Do a Weekly “Yes Day”

One day a week, let the kids make (reasonable) decisions—what’s for lunch, what game to play, where to go. It builds confidence and independence.

17. Make a Time Capsule

Let the kids choose what to put in it: drawings, toys, letters to their future selves. Set a date to open it in a few years.

18. Volunteer as a Family

Find a food bank, animal shelter, or park clean-up. Even little kids can help. It’s a powerful way to teach empathy and gratitude.

19. Set Up a DIY Art Studio

Stock up on cheap canvases, paints, glue, paper, and let kids go wild. Outside is ideal, but a messy corner of the kitchen works too.

20. Try Geocaching

It’s like a worldwide treasure hunt using a smartphone. Download an app, pick a local cache, and go exploring.

21. Plan a Day Trip

You don’t need to fly somewhere to make memories. A short drive to a lake, hiking trail, or quirky roadside attraction can be just as exciting.

22. Grow Something

Plant seeds in a garden or a pot. Even fast growers like beans or sunflowers can be exciting for kids to track.

23. Let Them Get Bored

Seriously. Boredom leads to creativity. Not every minute needs to be scheduled.

24. Make Shadow Art

Trace shadows of toys, hands, or plants onto paper in the sun. Then color them in for fun, weird silhouette art.

25. Cook a Meal Together

Let the kids pick a recipe and help prep it. Cooking is a life skill and a great bonding activity.

26. Create a Backyard Obstacle Course

Use cones, ropes, hula hoops, or even pool noodles. Time each other or just play for fun.

27. Write and Mail Letters

Have kids write letters or draw pictures and send them to grandparents, cousins, or friends. Everyone loves real mail.

28. Do a Weekly Theme Day

Pick a theme—pirates, space, bugs, superheroes—and plan crafts, games, and snacks around it.

29. Make a Family Bucket List

Sit down together and brainstorm a summer bucket list. Hang it up and check off items as you go.

30. Just Be Present

Sometimes the best summer memories aren’t the big events—they’re the lazy, goofy, quiet ones. A picnic in the yard, catching fireflies, or sitting side by side reading. Don’t overthink it. Just be there.

Summer isn’t about perfection. It’s about play, connection, and building memories. You don’t need to fill every second, but a little inspiration goes a long way. The activities above are low-cost, low-stress, and high on fun. Whether your kids are five or fifteen, there’s something here to make their summer one to remember.

Premium Member Exclusive

🌞 If you want more summer fun, check out this Summer Game Bundle! It’s packed with printable games to make every summer day more playful—without spending hours planning.