Keep your kids entertained all summer long with these fun summer activities for kids on a budget.
There are over a hundred ideas here for endless summer fun without breaking the bank! These outdoor activities for kids include outdoor games, summer crafts, fun science projects, water play to cool off on a hot summer day, and much more. Plus, there are easy DIY ideas for forts, tents, camping, and outdoor theater ideas for movie night.
These ideas are cheap or free summer activities that can be made with dollar store products or common household items that you already have on hand. Whether you are looking for activities for toddlers or older kids, there are things to do for all ages including water play and sensory play so get ready to have some fun this summertime!
Summer Water Play for Kids
Pool Noodle Sprinkler from Ziggity Zoom
Leak Proof Water Blob from Good Home Design
DIY Sprinklers from Housing A Forest
Water Balloon Piñata from Paging Fun Mums
Easy Homemade Water Slide from Happy Hooligans
Soap Boat Races Activity from I Heart Naptime
STEM Stick Raft Building Activity for Kids from Kids Craft Room
Water Bottle Boat from Nalle’s House
Sponge Sailboat from Easy Peasy Fun
Water Table Activity for the Kids from Instructables
Water Bombs Made from Sponges from Endlessly Inspired
Batting Practice with Water Balloons from The Boys Store
Water Guns Race from This Grandma is Fun
Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids
Sidewalk Chalk Foam Paint Activity from The TipToe Fairy
Pool Noodle Obstacle Course from Parents.com
Outdoor Tic-Tac-Toe Game from Tatertots and Jello
DIY Bean Bag Toss from Mod Podge Rocks
Rainbow Paver Hopscotch Activity from Happiness is Homemade
DIY Sandbox from The Homes I Have Made
You can get a similar bookcase at a thrift store for around $10!
Tire Sandbox from I Heart Naptime
Hula Hoop Croquet from The Crafting Chicks
Blow Bubble Snakes from One Little Project
Kinetic Sand Activity from One Little Project
Marshmallow Shooters from Happiness is Homemade
Pool Noodle Rocket Flinger Activity from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls
Popsicle Chalk from Reading Confetti
Tensile Bubbles from Babble Dabble Do
Giant Bubbles from Fun Crafts Kids
Human Bubble Summer Activity for Kids (source unknown)
Hola Hoop Hideout from Do It Yourself Fun Ideas
Summer Reading Teepee from Tatertots and Jello
Backyard Bean Bag Toss Game from Thrift Diving
Ring Toss Activity from HGTV
DIY Ring Toss from Mom Endeavors
Giant Backyard Board Game from 36th Avenue
$5 Tarp Game from The Red Headed Hostess
$30 DIY Seesaw for Kids from Classy Clutter
Yard Yahtzee from Momtastic
Outdoor Bowling Game from Polka Dot Chair
Backyard Ker-Plunk Game from All Parenting
Ladybugs Vs. Tadpoles Game for Kids from Atta Girl Says
Soda Bottle Rocket Activity from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls
Colored Shaving Cream Twister Game for Kids (Unknown Source)
Pool Noodle Racetrack from Ramblings from Utopia
Outdoor Movies Night from MomAdvice
DIY Rope Swing from Dukes and Duchesses
Tetherball for Half the Cost from Simply Kierste
Pool Noodle Playhouse from From ABCs to SATs
Balloon Tennis Activity from Little Bins for Little Hands
Simple Tent from Daisy Mae Belle
DIY Tree Swing from A Beautiful Mess
Foil River Activity from I Can Teach My Child
Indoor Activities, Science Experiments, Sensory Play & More
Laundry Basket Skee Ball Activity (With Ball Pit Balls!) from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls
Marshmallow and Toothpick Buildings from The Idea Room
Masking Tape Speedway Track for Toy Cars from Family Maven
Moon Sand from Lesson Learnt Journal
Rock Candy Experiment for Kids from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Ice Cream in a Bag from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Super Hero Fort Kits from Meg + Andy
DIY Marble Bowling from Frugal Fun for Boys & Girls
Indoor Camping from The Stay At Home Mom Survival Guide
Bouncy Ball from 36th Avenue
Edible Slime from Starburst Candy from Teach Beside Me
Easy Homemade Playdough Recipe from Living Well Mom
Fish in a Bag Slime from My Frugal Adventures
Mini Mason Jar Aquariums from A Little Claireification
Ocean Slime from Schooling a Monkey
Glow in the Dark Bowling from My Kids Adventures
How to Make Sun Tea Activity from Today’s Creative Life
Summer Arts and Craft Activities for Kids
Fireworks Salt Painting from Busy Mommy Media
Birdhouse Craft from Craft Create Love
Fairy House from Living Well Mom
Puffy Paint Ice Cream Cones from Crafty Morning
Squirt Gun Painting from Fireflies and Mudpies
$1 Giant Dry Erase Mat Coloring Activity from I Heart Arts and Crafts
Pop Bottle Firefly from One Little Project
Mason Jar Fairy Lights from DIY Joy
Space Star Crayons from Minieco
Paper Spinner from Make and Takes
Melted Bead Suncatcher from Artful Parent
Water Bottle Wind Spirals from Creative Green Living
Kids Bubble Painting from Artful Adventures
DIY Foam Paint from Dabbles and Babbles
Rock Dominoes from Repeat Crafter Me
100 DIY Backyard Games
50 Best 4th of July Crafts for Kids
Samantha says
This was awesome going try most of these on the 31st of this month can’t wait to see how they turn out! Thanks a lot hate COVID has our kids with nothing to do but I’m pretty sure all of these activities are going to be so much fun!