Summer is almost here, which means it’s time to get out the kids outside to enjoy the weather. But what activities should your kids enjoy? Should they be running around playing sports? Or should you take them out for a walk or bike ride? You are in command of the activities that your children should be doing during the summer break!
If your home is anything like mine at all, a little bit of outdoor (or indoor!) entertainment is in order! To help alleviate summer boredom, I am bringing you a list of a few of my favorite cheap, fun, and FREE summer activities for kids that are sure to pump up their energy levels and give them a sense of independence as they enjoy the great outdoors! Whether you opt for a biking and walking adventure or something more extensive, such as an obstacle course, you’re sure to both enjoy and appreciate the beauty of nature at its best. And the best part is… most of these activities are incredibly easy for kids to do and won’t cost you a penny!
A perfect example of a fun outdoor activity for kids is a little ice block treasure hunt! This is perfect for a hot summer day because not only can your kids play a hands on game of treasure hunting, they can also use the skills learned while playing to make homemade crafts for the home. From do-it-yourself construction paper creations to beautiful polka dot crafts, you can spend a little time putting together a project using the skills learned while playing a treasure hunt game. Best of all, these projects can be made inside, in the backyard, or outdoors and still turn out great – and very inexpensively!
Paintball is another great way to get kids out of the house, out of the hot summer heat, and into the cool, refreshing summer air. Whether you choose to play in a tournament style game with prize money to be won, or just go out with some paint balls and a friend to play at a local park, this is one of the most affordable and fun summer activities for kids. To make this fun outdoor summer activities for kids even more exciting, consider planning a paintball obstacle course. You can play it with a smaller group of kids on a Sunday, a bigger group on a Saturday, or one big group on a Friday night. What better way to maximize fun and minimize expense than with an obstacle course?
Beach baseball and softball games are also a great way to get kids out of the house for an afternoon of fun. The great thing about baseball and softball is that they are usually easy to setup and take down quickly. In addition to being low key activities, these games also allow kids to improve their baseball and softball skills while having a good time at the same time. And, as another great idea for summer activities for kids, consider team building activities, like a Frisbee game. Team building has been shown to be a great way to boost confidence and help children learn to work as a team.
Another fun summer activity for kids is to decorate their houses for the coming year. There are many ways to decorate a house, both indoors and outside. Many families have great ideas for decorating their house’s inside for the holidays. If you know any member of the family who has a knack for painting, you might want to let them come to help you with the interior decorating. The great thing about letting your little ones help with decorating is that they can bring you their own ideas and suggestions. In addition to letting them decorate, you can spend a quiet day with them outside playing in the yard and taking in all of the beautiful fall colors.
Outdoor summer activities include a lot of different kinds of sports, from baseball to soccer to kayaking. Many families play outside every single day of the summer, whether it is on a regular basis or just once a month. These kinds of activities can be especially invigorating when the weather starts to get a little colder. It can mean running out and getting a great book or watching the kids play catch. Even better is when you take them out to a nice dinner outside with some good friends or neighbors. It is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon and it also lets you spend some quality time with your kids, which is so important during the summer.
As you can see, there are lots of fun summer activities for kids. Take advantage of all that summer offers, even if you have to pay for them. Your kids will thank you for it later on down the road. Remember, a happy child is a child who is healthy, active, and well adjusted. With a few great activities, plenty of sunshine, and plenty of free summer activities, your kids will be begging you for more later on.
