From Lemonade Stands to Scavenger Hunts, Here Are 150 Activities for Kids To Keep Them Entertained
Summer is here, and with school out, it's time to embrace the free time and create unforgettable memories with your little ones. To help you keep those little minds and bodies busy, we've compiled an epic list of 150 activities for kids that will banish boredom, ignite the spirit of adventure and even help stimulate those thinking caps.
The truth is, you don't have to break the bank to provide your kids with fun things to do. From creative crafts, outdoor adventures, educational explorations, out-of-the-house excursions, fitness fun, and culinary adventures—there are tons of free activities for kids. Finding affordable activities that capture your child’s attention may feel like a challenge, especially with technology at our fingertips. Sometimes, kids may have ideas of going to expensive theme parks or other costly activities, like bowling.
You’ll take your kiddos by surprise with the listed no-cost activities that will ignite their imaginations and expand their brains. Plus, everyone in the family can have fun thanks to these creative things to do with kids. Grab your sunscreen and let your imagination run wild as you get ready for a summer filled with laughter, learning and endless fun!
Outdoor Activities for Kids
1. Obstacle Course
Use cones, hula hoops, cans and other household items to create a fun and competitive obstacle course.
2. Scavenger Hunt
Organize a scavenger hunt with brain-puzzling clues around your house or at a local park.
3. Backyard Camping
You don't need to go far to enjoy the great outdoors and s'mores.
4. Host Family Olympics
Does your child have a competitive spirit? Host a fun family Olympics, where you play different games and see who wins the gold.
5. Plant a Garden
Teach children how to be resourceful by planting a garden with them. You can plant all sorts of things from flowers to fresh produce.
6. Build a Birdhouse
Welcome the birds to your backyard or outdoor patio by building a cozy birdhouse.
7. Hula-hoop Competition
How long can you keep your hula-hoop rolling for? Find out with a little friendly hula-hoop competition!
Related: 125 of the Best Family-Friendly Activities & Ideas That'll Keep the Fun Going All Summer Long
8. Fishing
Do you have fishing poles in your garage that are collecting dust? Put them to good use by heading to a lake or stream and trying your hand at fishing.
9. Water Balloon Fight
If you're looking for a fun game to play while staying cool, you can't go wrong with a water balloon fight.
10. Egg Toss
Grab an egg from the fridge. Toss the fragile egg back and forth, taking a step apart each time. See how far you can get before someone drops it or it cracks!
11. Beach
If you live near a beach, don't let a sunny day pass you by!
12. Fly a Kite
When was the last time you flew a kite? Windy days and kites go together like peas and carrots if you're looking for outdoor activities for kids.
13. Visit a Park
Local parks are abundant for you to walk around while enjoying the sites of nature. You can even play some free games or have a picnic in the open space.
14. Playground
Many parks have playgrounds and depending on the age of your child(ren), it may be just what the doctor ordered! It's the perfect way for them to get out all of that pent-up energy.
15. Lemonade Stand
Got some young entrepreneurs around the house? Start them early with their very own lemonade stand.
16. Hike a Nature Trail
Hiking a nature trail is another way to let out some of that pent-up energy while enjoying the sights of nature.
17. Bike Ride
Do you own bikes at your house? The best part about having a bike is that you have a built-in activity for whenever you're bored! Strap on those helmets and explore your neighborhood.
18. Skateboard
Not one for biking? Teach your child how to skateboard, instead. Just make sure to wear extra padding!
19. Play Sports
Basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball – you name it. There are tons of sports you can play with your child for free as long as you have a ball!
20. Pool Day
Whether you live near a beach or not, having a pool day is one of the best free activities for kids. Make sure you have somewhere shady to cool off!
21. Organize a Neighborhood Bike Parade
Organizing a neighborhood bike parade is another fabulous way to put those bikes to good use! Help your child decorate their bike to the 9's in a unique way.
22. Photography Nature Walk
No fancy camera is required! Take a walk on a trail or around your neighborhood and snap photos of the wildlife.
23. Collect Leaves
While you're on your nature walk, why not collect some leaves? You can press them in a journal and do research on them.
24. Climb Trees
There is truly nothing more fun—and semi-dangerous—than climbing a tree. So make sure there is adult supervision on deck!
25. Jump on a Trampoline
Even if you don't have a trampoline, perhaps a friend or neighborhood friend does! Soar to new heights.
26. Hopscotch
Grab the chalk and teach your child the ropes of one of the most classic outdoor games.
27. Picnic
Pack sandwiches and snacks into a basket and have a backyard picnic. Or, if you feel like getting out of the house, head to a local park.
28. Jump Rope
Playing with a jump rope is a fun cardio-boosting activity that will also provide exercise.
29. Four Square
Similar to hopscotch, four square is another classic game. As long as you have four or more people, you can get a good game rolling.
30. Chalk Drawing
Calling all creatives! Grab the sidewalk chalk and get to drawing.
Indoor Activities for Kids
31. Movie Marathon
Cozy up for an at-home movie marathon night! Who needs to go to the movie theater when you can make your own at home?
Related: Escape the Heat at Home With the 50 Best Summer Movies of All Time!
32. Board Games
Grab your favorite board games out from the closet and play a few rounds.
33. Build a Fort
Using pillows, sheets and blankets, build a fort in your living room or bedroom. This can go hand-in-hand with your movie marathon!
34. Dance Party
Blast the tunes from a speaker or radio and have a fun dance party.
35. Musical Chairs
If you have a few people, some chairs and a method for playing music out loud, you are ready for a game of musical chairs.
36. Indoor Bowling
Use cans and bottles as the pins and see who's the best indoor bowler.
37. Paint
Whether it's watercolor or acrylic paint you have on hand, let the creative bone come out.
38. Color
If you don't have painting materials on hand, coloring is just as fun. Try out a coloring book if you have one or go for freehand.
39. Clay Sculptures
If you have clay or Play-Doh on hand, you can get creative in a different way by making sculptures. Try out different animals or shapes!
40. Tea Party
One of the best free indoor activities for kids is having a tea party. Even if you don't have real tea, you can mimic a fun setup and have stuffed animals as the guests.
41. Fashion Show
Pile up any funky costumes or old clothes you have and put on a fashion show! The living room makes a great runway.
42. Science Experiments
Ever wanted to make one of those volcanoes you always see kids making on T.V. shows? Now is your chance!
43. Bake Sweet Treats
What will you choose: cookies, cake, pie or brownies?
44. Video Games
A little screen time isn't always a bad thing, especially when you as the supervisor need a break!
45. Write and Perform a Skit
Collaborate by writing a skit together and then performing it for family and friends.
46. Talent Show
Have a family talent show where everyone gets a chance to flaunt their flashiest skills.
47. Learn Magic Tricks
Thanks to YouTube and TikTok, kids can easily learn simple magic tricks at home.
48. Jigsaw Puzzles
Jigsaw puzzles are the perfect brain-stimulating challenge. Depending on how many pieces the puzzle is, it may take you a few days.
49. Brain Games
No jigsaw puzzles on hand? No worries! Try out other brain games like crossword puzzles or Sudoku.
50. Yoga
The good news is, you don't need to go to a yoga studio to practice yoga together. Find a yoga class on a workout T.V. channel or find one on YouTube!
51. Weightlifting
Resistance training is beneficial for people of all ages, including kids. If you're working out at home, teach them the ropes with appropriate weight selections.
52. Make Homemade Slime
Who doesn't love slime? All you need is glue, contact solution, food coloring and baking soda.
Related: Putting the 'Goo' in 'Good Fun'—Here Are 3 Different Ways To Make Slime
53. Learn an Instrument
If you have an instrument laying around your house collecting dust, find free lessons online for your child to learn how to play.
54. Learn a Language
There are tons of free language-learning apps to try out, like Duolingo.
55. Decorate Picture Frames
Bored of those bland picture frames? Grab some paint or stickers and decorate them as a crafty activity.
56. Practice Origami
Try your hand at origami and fold intricate paper creations.
57. Time Capsule
Make a family time capsule to bury in the backyard. Decide what year you plan to dig it back up.
58. Tie-Dye
Even if you don't have traditional tie-dye from a craft store, you can make your own with water and food coloring. Find a white shirt and you're all set!
59. Spa Day
You don't need to go to an expensive spa to pamper yourself. Create a DIY spa with facemasks, nail painting and peaceful music.
60. Clean or Declutter
It may not be a kid's favorite activity, but teaching them the art of cleaning and decluttering their space is something they'll carry with them into their adult lives.
61. Make Bookmarks
All you need is paper and something colorful.
62. Make a Scrapbook
Print your favorite photos and make a memorable scrapbook. There's something so special about physically looking at photos rather than always seeing them on your phone.
63. Teach Your Pet Tricks
Do you have a dog or cat? If they don't know any tricks, now is as good of a time as ever to start teaching them.
64. Practice Writing Prompts
Craft up a scenario for a writing prompt and give your child an hour to write a fictional story with the details provided.
65. Read
Reading is both fun and educational. Plus, it's a productive way to pass the time.
Best Activities for Kids
66. Local Library
A library card or not, spend an afternoon at the local library looking through books or taking advantage of free programs.
67. Local Museum
Many museums host free admission days monthly. Check around your area to see what's offered.
68. Dog Park
Field trip time! Head to the dog park with your pup to blow off some steam.
69. Historical Sites
No matter how big or small the place you live in is, every place has its own rich history. Find the historical sites to tour where you live.
70. Farmer's Market
Head to a farmer's market to browse the locally grown produce and delicious food trucks. Not to mention, there are lots of dogs to pet and you can browse the different vendors!
71. Fire Station
Looking for an educational and free activity for kids? Most fire departments offer free tours. Get in contact with yours.
72. Police Department
Similar to fire stations, police departments may also offer a free tour.
73. Feed Ducks
So many lakes are full of ducks. Bring bread or crackers to feed the ducks!
74. Wash the Car
Having your child help wash your car is another productive and fun task that will teach them a skill they can take with them well into their adult life.
75. Play Frisbee
Teach your child how to properly toss a frisbee—it's the most underrated skill someone can have.
76. Learn to Juggle
Even if you don't know how to juggle, YouTube or TikTok tutorials can help get the job done.
77. Tag
Organize a large game of outdoor tag and those kids will be running around like crazy.
78. Hide and Seek
Hide and Seek or "Man Hunt" is another fun and free outdoor activity for kids.
79. Rollerblade
Do you have a pair of rollerblades in your closet or garage? Learn how to rollerblade together. Stay safe with a helmet and padding.
80. Skate Park
Head to a skate park to help your child practice their moves. Or, you can watch the other kids shred around while grabbing pointers.
81. Homemade Popsicles
With the help of fruit, juices and water, you can make homemade popsicles that beat anything artificial in the frozen aisle.
82. Cook Your Own Pizza
Save money on the delivery by cooking your own pizzas at home. Get creative and have everyone put on their own toppings.
83. Bake Your Own Bread
Though it can be a tedious process, baking your own bread is something educational you can do with your kids with materials you likely already have on hand.
84. DIY Ice Cream Bar
Hot fudge sundae? Banana split? Simple ice cream cone? You choose!
85. Make Trail Mix
Who doesn't love trail mix? This activity would pair perfectly with your nature hike. Grab any nuts, chocolate treats, pretzels, chips and other crunchy items on hand to mix.
86. DIY Taco Bar
Taco Tuesday is calling! Line up the toppings and have everyone make their own tacos.
87. DIY Photobooth
Have a silly photoshoot by setting up a fun backdrop with props.
88. Create a Family Newspaper
This is a fun and creative way to stay updated with everyone in your family. Write articles and share photos or illustrations.
89. Make a Music Video
Teach your child how to film and edit a music video to their favorite song on a free software program.
90. Family Show-And-Tell
Remember how fun show-and-tell was back in grade school? Put on a similar event with the family.
91. Sleepover with Friends
Host your child's friends for a sleepover full of movies, games and fun snacks.
92. Costume Day
Have a themed costume day and dress up as your favorite characters.
93. No Electronics Day
Having a full day free of electronics is undoubtedly a challenge for anyone these days. See if you and your kids can conquer it together!
94. Karaoke Night
Host a family-friendly karaoke night at home. Belt out all the best tunes! You can find karaoke versions on YouTube.
95. Paint Rocks
Paint rocks with different patterns or animals and leave them around your neighborhood for people to find.
96. Find a Little Free Library
Many neighborhoods and public parks have Little Free Libraries, which is a nonprofit that seeks to share literacy and increase the availability of literature across the country. Here you can leave a book and take a book for free.
97. Build a Domino Chain
Build an epic domino chain reaction.
98. Ghost Stories
Dim the lights one night, grab a flashlight and tell each other spooky ghost stories.
99. Watch a Documentary
Streaming services offer a range of educational documentaries you can watch together.
100. Learn Card Tricks
Learn basic card tricks to impress friends and family at gatherings.
101. Build a Marble Run
Use cardboard tubes, tape, cans and other household items to build a creative marble run.
102. Fry an Egg on the Sidewalk
Summertime and the living is easy. It's also hot...so hot that you may be able to fry an egg on the sidewalk under the sun's heat.
103. Create an Ecosphere
All you need is a sealable glass jar to get started. From there, collect dirt, grass, plants, rocks and other living items to watch an ecosphere unfold.
104. Pickle Vegetables
Pickling vegetables is easy and results in a delicious treat. You can make pickles, or you can pickle jalapenos, onions, carrots and more.
105. DIY Pottery
Create something with clay and see if you can get it heated later on.
106. Rearrange Furniture
If you're bored with the way the rooms in your home are looking, spend time together by rearranging. Ask your child for their input!
107. Garage Sale
Aside from lemonade stands, hosting a garage sale is another way to have your child practice entrepreneurship at an early age.
108. Blow Bubbles
How many can you pop?
109. Make a Slip-and-Slide
You can easily use a tarp or plastic sheet to create your own backyard slip-and-slide. Lather it up with a house and enjoy it on a hot day!
110. Pasta Bead Jewelry
Got string? Got pasta? Get creative by making pasta bead jewelry, such as bracelets and necklaces.
111. Make Shakers
Using lentils or rice and cardboard tubes, you can create shakers to make music.
112. Make Homemade Wind Chimes
Fancy wind chimes can be well-worth the investment, but they can also be expensive. Make your own homemade wind chimes with household items to hang up outside.
113. Play Shop
Teach your kids about money by playing shop with them. Set up a grocery store or clothing shop in your house with cash register and bags.
114. Balloon Ping Pong
Even if you don't have a ping pong table, playing balloon ping pong or tennis is a fun way to pass the time.
115. Balloon Volleyball
Balloon volleyball is just as fun! How long can you keep the balloon in the air?
116. Pool-Jumping Competition
Enjoying a day at the pool? Have a pool-jumping contest with the kids and see how creative they can be while staying safe. Rate their jumps and have fun with them!
117. Pool Games
Pool games, such as Categories or Colors, are more fun free activities for kids in the pool.
118. Play Mermaids
Who doesn't love to play mermaids?
119. Play in the Sprinklers
No pool, no problem. A run through the sprinklers will cool off anyone on a hot enough day.
120. Skip Stones
Skipping stones across a lake or pond is an underrated yet highly impressive skill. Learn how to skip stones together.
121. At-Home Comedy Show
Tickets to a comedy show may be expensive, but luckily you can host your own at-home comedy show. See who is the funniest when it comes to stand up or knock-knock jokes!
122. Press Flowers
After receiving a bouquet or when flowers bloom in your garden, pick them and press flowers with your child in books. Write the names of the flowers under and research them.
123. Computer Games
Between fun and educational games, there are websites that provide free games that don't require software downloads.
124. Measure Rainfall
Have you ever wondered how much it rains during a storm? Put out a bucket when it's raining and measure the rainfall.
125. Watch the Sunset
Watching the sunset before winding down for the evening is the perfect cap to the end of the day.
126. Exercise as a Family
Try going on a run around the neighborhood or using the free bodyweight machines often found in parks.
127. Try a New Hairstyle
Dye the hair? Try out a buzzcut or mohawk? What will it be?
128. Paint Faces
You don't need to go to a carnival or theme park to have your face painted, after all.
129. Sock Puppets
Put on a puppet show with sock puppets.
130. Play Charades
Charades can make people feel silly, but it's such a fun way to get the kids out of their comfort zone. Trt playing a game of charades for a free activity for kids!
131. Botanical Garden
Many local botanical gardens are free of admission. Strolling around a botanical garden is a beautiful way to teach your child about plants and flowers.
132. Movie in the Park
City and local governments work with the parks to host events like free movie nights in the park. Look in your area to see what's offered.
133. Car Show
Do you have a child that's interested in automobiles? Take them on a field trip to a car show. You can see all sorts of cars, from sports to vintage.
134. Stargaze
If you're able to see the stars where you live, head outside on a clear night and point out the various constellations you both can see. Spend some time researching them after.
135. Cloud Watch
Lay in the grass on a cloudy day and watch them roll by. Point out the shapes and things that you see in the clouds.
136. Flea Markets
Walking around a flea market and seeing the different, unique items for sale is a great way to spend any weekend morning.
137. Live Music
Head to a restaurant with live music nights or a park that's having a free concert.
138. Build LEGOs
If you have LEGO sets at home already, spend some time creating and building with your kids.
139. Local Farm
Learn about animals and growing produce by organizing a free visit to a local farm. You may even be able to pet some animals or pick produce by hand.
140. Geocaching
Go on a geocaching adventure using a GPS device or smartphone app.
141. Kayaking
If you have a kayak or have the ability to borrow one, head to a spring or bay that allows kayaking and have a peaceful day on the water. It's also a great form of exercise!
142. Create a Board Game
If your kids are sick of the board games you have and want new ones, have them create their own to play.
143. Draw
Nothing to do? If you have a pen or pencil and paper at your avail, your kids can get creative by drawing something.
Related: 100 Kid Crafts—Because DIY Projects Are the Original Boredom Busters
144. Do a Random Act of Kindness
Something as simple as complimenting a neighbor's yard or giving someone a flower you picked from the front yard will show your kids how big these little acts really are.
145. Collect Something
With the rise of the digital age, collections became less common. Encourage your child to start a collection, like state quarters or stamps.
146. Volunteer
Volunteering is one of the best free activities for kids to do because it teaches them the importance of giving back to their community. Check out soup kitchens, pet shelters, farms and other nonprofits.
147. Food Crafts
From jell-o aquariums to grape sculptures, make meals more enjoyable with food crafts.
148. Play Jacks
Teach your kids how to play this timeless game.
149. Indoor Treasure Hunt
Have your child be a pirate for a day. Set up an indoor treasure hunt complete with a drawn paper map, coins and jewelry. The treasure can be their favorite treat or another fun surprise.
150. Journal
Start a journal out of a notebook you already have at home and teach your child the importance of writing their feelings.
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