Summer is the BEST, but filling all those long, wide-open days can start to feel like a full-time job. And somehow, every outing with kids seems to cost approximately one million dollars!! The good news is that some of the activities my kids remember and ask to do again are also the simplest.
These free outdoor activities for kids require very little planning and use things you probably already have at home. You can pull one out when everyone is getting restless, turn it into a full family afternoon or let the kids take the lead. Get excited to make some summer memories without spending a cent!
1. Let the Kids Wash the Car
Pull your car out of the garage, grab a bucket, car-safe soap, a few rags or sponges and turn on the hose. That is IT! My kids think washing the car is a legitimate activity, while I get a cleaner car out of the deal. A true mom win!!
Give everyone a job so the entire bucket does not immediately end up on the driveway. One child can wash the doors, another can scrub the wheels and someone else can handle rinsing with adult help. Make sure the car is parked, completely turned off and in a safe spot away from traffic.
2. Bike or Walk to a Park for a Picnic
Pack whatever you were already going to eat for lunch and walk, bike or scooter to a nearby park. You do not need a Pinterest-worthy picnic basket. Throw sandwiches, snacks and water bottles into a backpack and GO!
Find a park with picnic tables or bring a small blanket and eat on the grass. We also love taking a different route home so the outing feels like a mini adventure. If you are biking, bring helmets and choose a route that feels safe for your kids’ ages and abilities.
3. Watch Trains From a Safe Public Viewing Area
If your kids are as train obsessed as mine were, they will LOVE watching the trains pass by. Look for a public train station or designated viewing area with a safe place to sit or stand. Check the schedule beforehand so you have a better chance of seeing a few trains without waiting forever.
Stay in the clearly marked public area, keep children right beside you and remain well behind all platform edges and safety lines. Never enter the tracks or restricted areas. While you wait, play I Spy, count train cars, look for different colors or bring paper so the kids can draw what they see.
4. Take a Nature Walk and Make a Craft
This idea came from my boys’ preschool teachers, and it was SUCH a good one. Take the long route around your neighborhood, through a park or along a nature trail and collect a few safe items that have already fallen to the ground. Think leaves, small sticks, flower petals, pinecones or interesting pieces of bark.
When you get home, turn everything into artwork using paper, glue, crayons or whatever supplies you already have. The boys had a blast, and their creations were honestly impressive enough that I wanted to frame them for the basement!! Remind kids not to pick unfamiliar plants and have an adult check anything they collect before bringing it inside.
5. Explore a New Neighborhood With a Scavenger Hunt
Sometimes you just need a change of scenery, ya know?! Choose a neighborhood you have not walked through before, park legally in a safe spot and turn an ordinary walk into a scavenger hunt. Bonus points if you can find wide sidewalks, interesting houses or construction happening at a safe distance. My kids could watch construction vehicles work FOREVER.
You can make a list before you leave or call out one object at a time. Look for a colorful flower, a big rock, a basketball hoop, a flying bird, an ant, a fence, a stop sign, a street sign, a garbage can or a butterfly. For older kids, add challenges like finding three house numbers that add up to 20 or spotting something for every color of the rainbow.
6. Fly Kites in a Big Open Field
If you already have kites tucked into the garage, pull them out on a warm, breezy day and head to the nearest giant field. Look for an open space with minimal trees, no nearby power lines and plenty of room for the kids to run safely.
Kite flying is one of those old-school activities that kids do not always think to request, but once that kite gets into the air, they are ALL IN. If there is not enough wind, use the field for races, tag or cloud watching so the trip is still worth it.
Bonus Backyard Idea: Turn On the Sprinkler
If you already have an old-school sprinkler that moves back and forth, bring it out! It has always been one of my kids’ favorite summer activities. They can run through it, jump over the water and make up games without us even leaving the house. WIN!! As always, supervise kids closely around water and bring the sprinkler inside when you are finished.
Simple Summer Fun Really Can Be the Best
Our family schedule can get BUSY, but kids do not need every summer day packed with camps, tickets or elaborate plans. Some of the best afternoons happen when we slow down, go outside and use a little creativity. The kids are happy, everyone gets fresh air and I do not have to spend a fortune making it happen. Wouldn’t you agree?!
Save this list for the next time your kids say they are bored, and explore more of my Kids & Family posts for realistic ideas that make mom life a little easier.
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