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
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
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
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 !
Pin for Later
Vivian says
You make me look forward to the summer!! I like the simplicity of your activities!! I think I’m gonna try waterballoon pinata for sure!!
I would also recommend doing Geocaching!! It’s fun, it takes place outside and it’s free.
Have a great week!
Vivian
https://productivemom.home.blog/
Diana says
I’ve never done Geocaching but I want to !
Julie says
This is such a great summer bucket list! I love the idea of creating a scavenger hunt- my older kids will even love this! Thanks for sharing!
Katja says
So many cute ideas thanks for putting that together.
Diana says
Thanks, enjoy !
Annie says
So many great ideas I wouldn’t have thought of. Will have to come back when it comes time to plan!
Diana says
Enjoy 🙂
Kristi says
I’m about to give away a few bags of my kids old baby clothes. It makes me incredibly sad going through them, but I love getting rid of stuff!
Diana says
I’m at that point it’s hard to part with sentimental things
Jaimi says
Such a great list! I love that you included a project like purging and then healthy but fun snacks ideas! Pinning this for later! 🙂
Diana says
The ideas are endless!