Summer is almost here–can you feel it? I love summer break with my little hoard of hooligans and I wish it were longer! However, I’ve seen so many moms starting to get concerned about “what to do with their kids all summer”. Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but it’s okay for your kids to be bored. In fact, it’s actually good for them to not be entertained by you all day! At the end of this post I have some great ideas from my friend Jenny, and she even has one to combat those “I’m bored!” moments. For now though, check out these ideas for cheap and easy summer activities that you can pull off with things you already have at home! Summer activities definitely don’t have to be complicated to be fun–they can be super simple!

cheap and easy summer activities

I have these cheap and easy summer activities divided into different categories. In this list you’ll find ideas that cost you absolutely nothing, and a few that cost a little bit. I also tried to include lots of independent play ideas, because I know those can be hard to come by sometimes!

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activities that won’t cost you anything

• complete a puzzle as a family
• camp out in the backyard
• download an app and go geocaching
• make homemade popsicles in paper cups
• plan a family movie marathon
• sort toys and deep clean the play space
• attend a local museum or zoo free resident day
• perform an act of kindness for a neighbor
• explore a new park each week
• participate in your library’s summer reading program

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activities your kids can do alone

• create busy bins with kinetic sand and playdough
• two words: Nerf War
• tell them to play their own version of ‘The Floor is Lava’–in a safe space
• ask siblings to put on a play together
• have your children journal daily
• create a chalk art gallery on your driveway
• inspire them to make their own comic book
• let your kids plan an “anything goes” picnic
• build an epic fort with materials around the house
• get out the art supplies and let them create patriotic crafts
• have your kids run through the sprinklers
• go on a nature scavenger hunt
• challenge them to create the highest LEGO tower
• have your child take online typing lessons
• get creative with the items in the recycling bin
• write postcards to friends and family

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budget-friendly summer activities

• schedule weekly family walks to ice cream or ICEEs
• take a day trip to a local state park
• get creative and tie dye something
• plan a potluck with friends
• schedule a weekly “cooking class” to teach your kids
• plan a weekly s’mores night
• stage a water balloon war
• go mini golfing or bowling
• make some homemade ice cream
• buy materials to learn a new skill on YouTube
• make homemade root beer for your next barbeque

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Looking for more ideas? Jenny from Princess Turned Mom has a great list of simple summer activities including a genius idea for a “Boredom Buster” jar that might not be what you think!

What is your favorite simple summer activity idea?