13 Fantastic Summer Activities for Bored Kids That Are Also Affordable
Have you heard “I’m bored” way too many times? Don’t worry. I’ve got you! Here are 13 summer activities for bored kids.
Summer is an exciting time of year for school-aged children, but it also provides a major challenge to parents: keeping everyone occupied and happy – preferably without the use of digital gadgets. Looking for screentime alternatives? You’re going to love these summer activities!!
Warm summer weather without the obligation of school can be a great opportunity for kids to get out and explore new things. However, sometimes kids can get bored if there aren’t enough summer activities planned for them.
If you’re looking for some fun ideas to keep your kids entertained this summer, we’ve got you covered with our list of cheap or free summer activities that will help keep your little ones busy and happy.
Summer is a great time to create lasting memories with your children so make the most of it!
Affordable Summer Activities for Bored Kids
1. Explore different cultures
Summer is the perfect time to learn about different cultures from around the world. You can visit a local museum, take a trip to an ethnic grocery store, or even just do some research online. This is a great opportunity to learn about different customs, traditions, and foods from other cultures.
You can even make some traditional dishes from different cultures and enjoy a taste of the world right in your own kitchen.
2. Go on a geocaching adventure
Did you know that there are millions of little treasures hidden around the world just waiting for you to find them? Geocaching is a fun activity for kids (and adults) of all ages. All you need is a GPS device and an adventurous spirit.
You can use an app to look up geocaches in your area and see if you can find them. This is a great way to explore your local area and maybe even find some hidden gems that you didn’t know existed.
3. Take a trip to your local library
Most libraries offer summer reading programs for kids with reading challenges, activities, crafts, and games. It’s a great way to keep them engaged in learning even when school’s out.
For added fun, see if your library has a storytime hour or other activities planned.
4. Visit a nearby park or nature center
Parks are great places for kids to explore, run around, and just be kids.
Many nature centers offer activities like hikes and scavenger hunts that can help your child learn about the natural world while also getting some exercise. If you don’t live near a park, take a walk around your neighborhood instead.
5. Have a backyard campout
Set up a tent in the backyard and sleep under the stars. Tell stories, roast marshmallows, and look for constellations.
You can even turn it into a themed night by pretending you’re camping in another country or era. This is a fun activity for the entire family and can be done even if it’s not warm enough to sleep outside.
6. Make homemade pizzas
Let your child get creative with toppings and design their own pizza masterpiece. This activity is not only fun but also educational, as they’ll learn some kitchen skills, and a bit about cooking, along with different flavors and ingredients.
Plus, they’ll love being able to eat their own creation.
7. Create an obstacle course
This is a great activity for kids of all ages and can be done both inside and outside. Use furniture, pillows, blankets, hula hoops, toys, and other household items to create a course for your child to navigate.
You can make it as simple or complex as you like, depending on your child’s age and ability.
8. Start a garden
If you have some outdoor space, gardening is a great way to teach kids about nature and where food comes from. They can help plant the seeds, water the plants, and watch them grow.
Once the fruits or vegetables are ready to harvest, you can even involve your child in cooking or baking with the produce they helped to grow. I
t’s also a great opportunity to learn about the insects that live in your garden and their role in the ecosystem.
9. Bake cookies or cupcakes
Who doesn’t love baking delicious treats? This is a classic activity that never gets old and is perfect for kids who are interested in cooking or baking.
They can help measure the ingredients, mix them together, bake the treats, and decorate the final product. And of course, they’ll get to enjoy eating their creation too!
10. Get creative with crafts
Take some time to explore different crafting activities with your child. There are endless possibilities, from painting and drawing to making jewelry, paper airplanes, and origami.
You can even find activities that double as science experiments, like making slime or volcanoes. There are lots of fun science experiments that you can do at home with ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
Science experiments are perfect for curious minds and can help foster a love of learning in your child.
11. Paint with a squirt gun
This is a fun twist on the classic painting activity. Fill up some squirt guns with washable paint and let your child go to town on a piece of paper, canvas, or even just an old cardboard box.
They can create abstract art, try their hand at making something recognizable, or just have fun making a mess. Either way, they’re sure to enjoy this unique painting experience.
12. Design an escape room
Escape rooms are all the rage these days, and you can create your own at home. This is a great activity for kids who are interested in puzzles and problem-solving.
All you need is a little imagination and some common household items. You can create different challenges that your child will have to figure out in order to “escape” the room.
You can use furniture to block off areas, create clues with candy or other small objects, and use string or yarn to make a web that your child has to escape from.
You can make it as easy or difficult as you like, depending on your child’s age and abilities.
13. Play water balloon baseball
This is a fun summer activity that the whole family can enjoy. Fill up some water balloons and set up a makeshift baseball field in your backyard.
You can use plastic bats or just have the kids throw the balloons at each other. This is a great way to cool off on a hot summer day.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. We hope you found this list helpful and that your kids enjoy trying out some of these activities. The important thing is to have fun and spend time together as a family.
With a little creativity, you can make this a summer to remember for years to come. If you have any other suggestions for things to do with bored kids, please share them in the comments below.
What affordable summer activities do your kids enjoy doing during summer break?
Share with us in the comments below!
