Keeping kids entertained during the summer doesn’t have to mean expensive camps or fancy vacations. With a little creativity, you can turn your home into the ultimate summer destination. Here are 10 fun, affordable, and memory-making activities to keep boredom at bay—and your wallet happy.
- Sign Up for a Summer Reading Program
Encourage a love of reading and keep those brains sharp with summer reading challenges. Many local libraries offer free reading programs where kids can earn prizes for logging books or minutes read. These programs often come with added perks—storytime events, educational shows, or craft days—that make reading feel like an adventure.
Don’t have access to a nearby library? No problem. National retailers like Barnes & Noble and Half Price Books run summer reading incentives where kids can earn a free book by completing a reading log. And if your child prefers digital, load up your Kindle or tablet with eBooks, many of which are free with a library card. Make it extra fun by setting up a cozy summer “reading fort” or book nook at home. - Host Themed Movie Nights
Bring movie magic home by turning a regular movie night into an immersive family experience. Choose a theme—like superheroes, animals, or outer space—and match the movie, snacks, and even outfits to it.
Try a “Backwards Night” where kids wear clothes backward, eat dessert before dinner, and watch a silly comedy. Or set up an indoor campsite with sleeping bags and lanterns, then watch a wilderness or camping-themed movie. Add some trivia questions, DIY movie tickets, or vote on the next movie to make it interactive. It’s an easy way to make a screen-time activity feel special without spending a dime. - Get Cooking with Kid-Friendly Recipes
Turn mealtime into quality time with kid-approved kitchen projects. Cooking teaches life skills like measuring, following directions, and kitchen safety—and most importantly, it’s fun! Start with simple, hands-on recipes like homemade pizzas with fun toppings, colorful fruit kabobs, or yogurt parfaits.
For sweet treats, try DIY popsicles or decorate sugar cookies together. In the morning, hand them squeeze bottles of pancake batter and let them create fun shapes or letters. Even picky eaters tend to try more when they help make it! If your kids are older, turn it into a mini cooking class where they plan and cook dinner one night a week. - Make Pool Time More Playful
If you have a pool—or access to one—you already have the ultimate summer boredom-buster. But instead of just splashing around, add some structure with water games and challenges.
Set up a pool noodle relay, dive for sinking toys in an underwater treasure hunt, or play classic games like Sharks & Minnows and Marco Polo. You can also create a “floating fort” with pool floats or make a sponge-ball toss game using household items. These games not only keep kids entertained but help build swimming confidence and teamwork. No pool? A sprinkler, splash pad, or even buckets of water in the backyard can offer hours of giggly fun. - Camp Out in the Backyard
Skip the campsite fees and head to the great outdoors—your backyard! Set up a tent or build a fort with blankets and string lights. Add sleeping bags, flashlights, and a campfire (real or fake) for marshmallow roasting and storytelling.
Backyard camping offers all the fun of a real campout—like stargazing, nature walks, and bug spotting—without needing to pack the car or deal with long bathroom lines. During the day, the tent can become a hideout, reading nook, or quiet zone for drawing and crafts. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors and break from routine without ever leaving home. - Get Creative with Sidewalk Chalk
Sidewalk chalk is a timeless summer staple that turns your driveway into a canvas for creativity. Encourage kids to draw murals, games, obstacle courses, or even sidewalk cities. Classic hopscotch is always a winner, but you can also draw giant board games, bullseyes for sponge toss games, or mazes to navigate with scooters or toy cars.
Want to sneak in some learning? Have kids write sight words or solve math problems with each jump. Chalk paint (made from cornstarch and food coloring) is another fun twist. And best of all, it all washes away with the next rain or hose-down, giving them a fresh canvas to start again. - Plan an Epic Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts spark curiosity and are easy to tailor to your child’s age and interests. You can create one indoors for rainy days, outdoors for a sunny afternoon, or even turn it into a photo challenge using a phone or tablet.
Make a list of items to find—like something green, something soft, something that starts with “B”—or use riddles and clues to lead them to a “treasure” like a small prize or snack. Bonus: if you have multiple kids, turn it into a team challenge or a timed race. Scavenger hunts build observation skills and can be as quick or elaborate as you’d like. - Grow a Kid-Friendly Garden
Gardening is an awesome way to get kids outside and teach them about science, responsibility, and where food comes from. Whether you have a big backyard or just a few pots on the porch, kids can help plant herbs, flowers, or easy veggies like cherry tomatoes or green beans.
Let them pick seeds, decorate plant markers, and take charge of watering and weeding. Watching a seed grow into something they can harvest (and eat!) builds confidence and patience. You can even turn it into a summer-long project with a garden journal or photo updates. Not only is it educational, it gives kids something to look forward to every day. - Build a Backyard Water Park
You don’t need expensive gear to turn your yard into a splash-tastic zone. With a little imagination and a few supplies, you can create your own water park. Try a DIY sprinkler obstacle course using hula hoops, pool noodles, and lawn chairs. Or play games like sponge toss, water balloon dodgeball, or freeze tag with a spray bottle twist.
Even simple setups like a kiddie pool or slip ‘n slide provide hours of fun on a hot day. Want to go big? Use a tarp and dish soap for a super slip-and-slide experience. Just make sure to set safety rules and keep towels nearby! - Set Up a Craft Corner
Designate a space at home for creativity to flow. Keep a bin or drawer stocked with inexpensive craft supplies: construction paper, glue sticks, markers, pipe cleaners, buttons, old magazines, and recycled materials.
Offer themed craft days (like “Under the Sea” or “Superhero Gear”) or weekly art challenges. Try projects like building a city from cardboard boxes, designing greeting cards, or creating sock puppets for a homemade puppet show.
Crafting encourages problem-solving, fine motor skills, and self-expression. Best of all, it keeps kids happily busy for hours without needing screens.
Sources:
https://www.teachstarter.com/us/blog/20-amazing-sidewalk-chalk-ideas-for-learning-and-fun-2-2
https://intotheswim.com/beat-the-summer-heat-fun-pool-activities-for-kids-who-love-to-swim