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20 Cheap and Cheerful Summer Activities for Kids!

Jun 1, 2016 | Back-to-School, Blog, For Kids

With only a few weeks left until school is out for summer, I am getting a jump on planning our “Stay-at-Home Summer Day Camp”.  Every year I try to come up with fun and inexpensive things to keep the kids busy (aka keeping them from driving me absolutely mental) and make their summer vacation extra special (without a lot of effort, because I’m lazy like that). (Check out last years SAH Summer Camp ideas here.)

We do have a pool, so thankfully most of the long summer days will be filled up with swimming, but I try to do a least 2–3 extra fun things a week with the kids…just to keep them from getting too bored (aka fighting just for something to do).

These “extra things” are not some Pinterest worthy, Mom-of-the-year kind of activities, just simple little things I schedule in so I am sure to spend that one-on-one, memory-making time with my kids.

DIY-Mason-Jar-Fairy-Lantern-Tutorial-Video1

(so excited to make these jars from FabArtDIY.com)

This year, we are having “Make It Mondays” (which I am already so geeked for).  Every Monday we will do a different, easy and inexpensive craft-type activity.  Fairy jars, homemade playdough, birdhouses, DIY slip and slide… you get the idea!  I am already putting together a list of different activities and gathering supplies that I will need so I am ready and prepared for summer crafting!

monday-make

We are also having “Wanderlust Wednesdays”!  Each and every Wednesday I will be planning a different outing…outside the house of course. Picnics at the park, raining days at the movies, nature walks, family bowling and lots of other free or inexpensive places to go.  I have been busy researching all of the different activities and festivals going on in my community and putting together a calendar (which I will totally share with your soon)!

wanderlust

I hope to squeeze in a few extra surprise things here and there, but by committing myself to these two days, at least I know I’m not going to fall into that summertime slump (where you waste your days doing nothing except listening to your kids whine about how bored they are)!!

I will be sure to keep you guys posted with monthly calendars and some DIY videos of our “Make it Monday” activities!!!

Here are 20 Cheap and Cheerful Summer Activities Ideas for Kids so you can start planning your own awesome (and inexpensive) summer day camp at home!

  • Make Homemade Play Dough (outside)
  • Take a Trip to the Splash Pad
  • Make Homemade Bird Feeders
  • Have a Picnic in the Park
  • Go Bowling
  • Make DIY Cloud Soap
  • Camp in the Backyard
  • Go for a Nature Walk
  • Fly a Kite
  • Take a Trip to the Children’s Museum
  • Have a Treasure Hunt in the Neighbourhood
  • Go the Movies
  • Visit a local Festival
  • Make Ice Cream Sundaes
  • Make DIY Fairy Houses
  • Make a Slip and Slide in the Backyard
  • Visit a local Museum
  • Do a Science Experiment
  • Go to the Library
  • Have an Outdoor Movie Night

Check out my YouTube channel for more Free and Fun Kids Crafts and Activities!