25 Easy and low-cost Activities to keep the kids busy this summer (or anytime!)

*this post was originally written years ago, when my kids were younger but I still love these activities. And I STILL do a lot of the things on this list with teens! I’ve tried to update it recently to provide some additional tips.

When my kids were little, I was often asked what we did to pass the time during the day. Even now that they are older, there are a few go-to activities that we continue!

I wrote this post a few years ago about how I fill the days – and yet, not fill them completely. I stand by that.  The kids need some time at home to be ‘bored’ if you will.  To figure out their own fun.

But, trust me, I know that not every day goes as planned and we want to do some activities that will be fun and keep them interested.

Here is a list of 25 activities that might help get you started!

1. Park Tours – does your city have a variety of parks? Don’t just go to your regular one, take this chance to explore the others and hit the park circuit!  Which one is the favourite? What makes each one unique? You’ll find that the kids treat each one as a new, fantastical destination! They don’t need to be fancy, but I will say there are usually bonus points if there is water involved.
2. Play dates – especially when you can be outside. These are as much for parents as they are for the kids. Check in with friends who are also looking for more to do!
3. Colouring pages – pick their favourite video game, or cartoon and print some pages if you can.
4. Obstacle course – keep them active, even if you are inside on hot or rainy days!
5. Old school games outside –  Hopscotch is a great one to start with!
6. Go to the library (or make one at home!)
7. Set up a sprinkler for some water fun.  Don’t have one? Fill a huge bucket with water.  Kids and water will make their own fun! Just add cups and sponges.
8. Make a puzzle
9. Make a comic strip!
10. Go for a walk and observe – what do they see in nature? What do they see around them?
11. Have some fun with cardboard boxes.  Build a post office, store, space ship, anything!
12. “paint” the fence or deck with water and a giant paintbrush or roller.
13. Play dress up.  Use your existing costumes, but also pull out some unusual items – like your own hats, scarves, or create your own super hero masks.
14. Eat a full meal outside (not just snacks!).
15. Lunch break somewhere unusual in the house.
16. Build a fort with blankets.
17. Go on a scavenger hunt.  Draw pictures for younger kids to find (leaf, rock, pine cone, flower) or write them out for the reading aged kids. Or, try this game especially with older kids.
18. Skip rope. Tell them recess stories from your childhood lol
19. Movie time! You can set up a mini drive in or theatre style setting.  Pop some popcorn and enjoy! TIP: Take this time to watch the movie together, not to do some extra housework 😉
20. Become little scientists – do an activity like this simple colour one or amaze them with the classic baking soda/vinegar concoction.
21. Create an activity circle.  Sing and dance around it until the music stops then pick up a card to do the action.
22. Bring the indoor toys outside.  Playmobil and My Little Pony characters can find a whole new world to explore in the garden or on the patio!
23. Create an art gallery!
24. Visit a museum.  Don’t have access to a family-friendly museum? Have your kids create one! Set up ‘areas’ where they can display their ‘artifacts’. TIP: Many libraries offer Museum passes to borrow. Some museums have ‘free’ entry days and/or times.
25. Tell a ’round circle’ story – each of you takes turns speaking a sentence of a story, the next person adds a line and so on until it’s complete.  Need some starters?

• “Once upon a time, there was an egg in the middle of the forest…”
• “One day, while playing in the backyard, a little boy heard a strange noise in the garden…”
• “Somewhere in Outer space, a space ship was landing on a planet…”