The Best Cheap Backyard of Summer Activities for Kids

Make the most out of the summer season with these best cheap backyard summer activities for kids that keep them happy, entertained and loving the season! In this post you’re sure to find inspiration for backyard summer fun!

Summer is always the highlight of our year. The spring is a busy season on the homestead with getting the garden planted, new animals being born and bigger projects to be done during the prime weather.

But Summer is the perfect time to sit back and really relax and enjoy family time, and some of our favourite memories made as kids and with our own kids happen in our very own backyard.

Forget traveling, busy lineups, expensive holidays and all that jazz. Get the most out of the season with some easy genuine cheap fun in your own backyard.

Backyard of Summer Activities for Kids

Why not plan ahead by having an informal family meeting and get the kids excited about summer. Fill your summer calendar with things you don’t want to miss. Another idea is to jot down a bucket list on a white board and erase as you go.

Make this season one to remember. I’ve broken this massive list into different categories to help you get going quickly. Just pick one and your good for the day.

All ideas are friendly to children of all ages, with babies and toddlers in mind!

SUMMER INDOOR RAINY DAY ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

1.Favourite movie marathon, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Honey I Shrunk the Kids,

2. Do Crafts

3. Read books

4. Colouring and Stickers

5. Clean out toys and clothing to donate to charity

6. make indoor forts and tents

7. Sleepover in another room

8. Do some baking or cooking together

9. Playdates with friends and family

10. Sensory Bins

FREE OUTDOOR SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

Keep a look out for free admission days and community events to attend, fairs, holiday events and PARADES! Often at the end of the school year free admission tickets will be sent out at school .

11. Farmers Market

12. Outdoor air night markets

13. Free park programs

14. Movie in the Park

15. Play at park

16. Parades

17. Fishing derbies

18. Fireworks

19. Swimming pool

20. Library programs

21. Local zoos

22. Museum

23. Aquarium

24. Ride the bus or other public transportation

LOCAL DAY TRIPS

25. Check out local farms for tours, goat milking, pony rides, baby animals, seasonal market stands

26. Go to a U-Pick farm, pick fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries and make your own jam

27. Beach scavenger hunt

28. Family hike, some of the most epic hikes in the world may just be in your backyard.

29. Visit provincial, national or state parks

30. Factory tour

SUMMER WATER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

31. Picnic at a pond of lake

32. Water table activities

33. Skip rocks

34. Go swimming

35. Snorkel

36. River rafting

37. Float in a tube

38. Run through the sprinkler

39. Set up kiddie pool

40. Water slide

41. Feed ducks

42. Go canoeing

43. Water gun fight

44. Play with the hose

45. Go on a boat ride

46. Play water balloon pinate

47. Water sponge necklaces

48. Water obstacle course

49. Water the kids garden

-50. Bubbles

51. Wash large toys

52. Kid car wash DIY with PVC pipes

SUMMER TREATS TO MAKE WITH KIDS

54. Make a lemonade stand

55. Banana boats

56. Make soft pretzels

57. Fruit popsicles

58. Fruit infused water

59. Melon kabobs

60. Frozen banana pops

61. Watermelon slush

62. Roast hotdogs over the fire

63. Host a potluck BBQ dinner

64. Rootbeer floats

65. Make butter

66. Pumpkin Smore Bars

67. Backwards dinner- dessert before dinner

68. Make your own ice cream

69. Jello fruit salad

70. Dirt cake- not real dirt, Oreo cookie crumbs of course!

71. Snow cones- see this great recipe for ALL NATURAL DIY SNOW CONE SYRUP

OUTDOOR BACKYARD SUMMER GAMES FOR KIDS

72. Side walk chalk

73. Yardzee- yard size Yahtzee

74. Nerf gun play zone

-75. Balloon dart board

76. Beach ball lawn bowling

77. Corn hole

78. Latter golf game

79. Boche ball

80. Crochet

81. Hopscotch

82. Water balloon toss

83. Beanbags

84. Backyard movie night

85. Camp in the backyard in fun spaces like a tent, trampoline, bed of the truck or a tree fort

FUN DIY SUMMER CRAFTS FOR KIDS

86. Paint rocks

87. Ty dye

88. Looms on paper plates or branches

89. Wind chimes

90. Make Fire Starters

STEM activities

91. Paper airplanes

92. Ice block treasure hunt – freeze small toys in a block of ice

93. Sand Slime

94. Ocean Slime

95. Homemade solar oven

96. Egg Drop

97. Tower building challenges

Summer always seems to fly by. Make sure it’s a memorable one! Remember to take lots of pictures and print them and put in a brag book to look at together.

No matter what activity you choose, you really can’t go wrong with this endless list of fun possibilities! Enjoy Summer !

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