25 things to do in the summer with kids for free, cheap, outdoor or indoor

Credit to Author: Cheryl Song| Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2019 05:56:49 +0000

Need some inspiration for activities to do with the family in the summer? Here is a list of 25 ideas that are free or cheap for any family to try.

Outdoor fun for kids

1. Go for a nature walk or hike on trails. Make it more fun with nature scavenger hunts and other games. But do take outdoor and wildlife safety precautions.
2. Explore and appreciate all the animals around us in nature. Bring out binoculars for bird watching; use magnifying glasses to explore worms and insects.
3. Bubbles fun! You can even make your own bubble solution at home.
4. Go back to classic childhood games such as hula hoop, tag, jump rope or hopscotch.
5. Create an obstacle course or scavenger hunts in your backyard or local park.
6. Fly a kite or paper airplanes.
7. Camp in the backyard or at a campsite. Set up a tent and roast marshmallows by a campfire.
8. Bring out water sprinklers, water balloons, spray bottle or water table for hours of water fun.
9. Go to local water park or a community pool to keep cool and learn swimming skills.
10. Explore different beaches or local lakes to do some seashell hunting, castle building, swimming, fishing or boating.
11. Lie on the grass and spot shapes in clouds during the day, and do some stargazing at night.
12. Visit the local library for great reads. Sign up for the summer reading program, family story time and other events.
13. Check out local zoos, museums, galleries and other attractions. Be a tourist in your own town.
14. Attend local fairs, farmers’ markets or free concerts in the park.
15. Some local hardware stores offer free DIY activities for kids; other stores offer drop-off playroom/ball pits at their stores.
16. Volunteer at an animal shelter or at a seniors’ home.

Indoor fun in the summer

17. Head into the kitchen, and prepare healthy and delicious recipes with your kids. Homemade frozen treats or baked goods are fun to whip up together and eat.
18. Have a family barbecue.
19. Pretend there’s a power outage and only do things that do not require electricity. Turn off the lights, get out flashlights and tell spooky stories.
20. Host a theme party such as board game night or a slumber party.
21. Turn up the music and have a dance or karaoke party.
22. Encourage children to write letters to pen pals or extended family back home.
23. Put on safety goggles and do some science experiments. Make slime or a homemade volcano.
24. Create a variety of arts and crafts projects with paint, paper, boxes, ribbons, sticks, etc.
25. Leave plenty of time with nothing planned — to let children be a little bored. It is during these unplanned moments where the magic of fun, creativity and spontaneity tends to happen.

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