Summer break is right around the corner and your little ones will be home around the clock. While you can look up expensive summer camps or resolve to having them glued to electronics for the majority of those hotter days, here are some frugal or FREE ideas that will get your kiddos OFF the screens.

1. Have a picnic in the park

2. Go on a nature hike

3. Visit a local library for story time or crafts

4. Create a scavenger hunt

5. Play outdoor games like tag or hide-and-seek

6. Build sandcastles at the beach (or the playground)

7. Visit a free museum or art exhibit

8. Have a water balloon fight

9. Go on a bike ride

10. Make homemade ice cream or popsicles

11. Attend a free outdoor concert or movie screening

12. Have a family game night (your local library may have some games you’ve never tried!)

13. Visit a local farm or farmers market

14. Do a DIY craft project (there are some great ones on YouTube!)

15. Have a backyard campout

16. Make a bird feeder and watch for birds

17. Go on a treasure hunt (create a map using a paper grocery bag to make if feel more authentic)

18. Have a family talent show (or a joke contest!)

19. Visit a splash pad or public pool

20. Go stargazing

21. Have a DIY spa day (cucumbers optional!)

22. Go on a photo scavenger hunt.

When it comes to summertime activities, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, but making a routine for you and your little ones is the key to keeping your sanity! Most kids still need the structure of routine, even when school isn’t in session. The list above isn’t necessarily to have something to do every single day, but if you want to add in a little structure of a fun activity, have “Fun Fridays” or “Trip Tuesday” where you go somewhere fun you’ve never been. You can incorporate a new park every week for you picnic, or keep it to the same favorite spot.

I like the idea of having a theme of the week where we are roughly having foods and art time surrounding a theme, but it doesn’t have to be that complicated. Have fun with it.

Have you tried any of these ideas? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

I can’t wait to cheer you on!

XO,

Shannon