K-State Research and Extension

Low Cost Summer Activities for Families

Return to Home and Family Agent Articles

Here are a number of wonderful low cost summer activities for kids and families that help families keep their hard-earned money in their pockets.

With each of these ideas, you might fashion “what to do” boxes. Create two boxes — one for "outside" and one for "indoors" — containing index cards with activities written on them. Rotate who in the family gets to pick the card for that day. This is a great way to avoid activities that cost a lot of cash and a fun way to create a family plan.

Low or no cost outings and activities are something to consider for your own kids or a group of friends getting together that will create fun and memories without heating up your wallet or credit card bills:

• Visit a farm, pet store or the animal shelter
• Visit a fire station
• Have cooking lessons at home (bake bread, make homemade ice cream, grandma's cookies)
• Visit a pizza store (they’ll sometimes let the kids make one for little or nothing)
• Visit a television station, radio station, or newspaper facility
• Visit the Department of Conservation’s nature centers and enjoy educational exhibits
• Learn to knit or do needlework
• Get a giant piece of paper and colored pencils and draw your dream house interior view with all the details
• Participate in free summer reading programs and story times offered by many local libraries
• Visit zoos and museums that have free or reduced rates for kids on special days
• Have paper airplane or paper boat races or try making and flying your own kites (books at the library have the instructions)
• Put on a theatrical performance, a puppet show or a talent contest
• Write and illustrate a story
• Plant a small garden or container garden and watch it grow
• Have sack, peanut or egg races
• Plan a picnic as an activity
• Hold a bring-a-dish block party
• Rent a movie and have special "movie night" snacks
• Take your kids on a tour of family history and photos
• Search garage sales as family fun and walk away with a few really good deals
• Play board games on rainy days
• Go swimming at the local lake, pond or pool (you can ask for a one day guest pass at a local YMCA to check out the facilities)
• Visit Vacation Bible Schools, Summer Bible Clubs, Kids Camps, Day Camps
  • Check out our 4-H Youth Camps — open to all kids!
• Walk, hike, and enjoy nature
• Go camping in the backyard
• Visit the Johnson County Fair July 31 – August 7 in Gardner, KS.

And last but certainly not least... make your own bubble solutions and spend hours dipping bubbles!!!

Do-It-Yourself Bubble Solution:

• 1 tbsp Glycerine
• 2 tbsp Dish Soap
• 9 oz water
• Mix it all up (the glycerin added to the mixture is key)
• Pour it into small plastic bottles or a pie pan, grab your favorite wand and enjoy big beautiful bubbles.

Wishing you a very busy, rarely bored and not too costly summer!
Source: eXtension, http://articles.extension.org/pages/21475/wonderful-low-cost-summer-activities-for-kids-and-families