10 Fun and Frugal Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids

Stay busy this summer with kids!

Check out these ten tips and low-cost ideas to stay busy with kids this summer!

Need more ideas? Check out The Ultimate Better Mom Guide to a Fun and Stress-Free Summer With Kids!

When school is out, keeping your little ones busy and entertained can be a challenge. At the Better Mom blog, we wanted to help you discover some fun and affordable ways to get outside and enjoy your kids and God’s world this summer. Here are our top 10 fun and frugal outdoor summer activities for kids.

Hike

No matter what part of the country you live in, God has surrounded us with beauty in nature. Taking your kids on a trail hike or nature walk is one of the best and least expensive ways to stay busy outside this summer.

Walk

Summer is the perfect time to get to know your neighborhood or city better. Take your kids on a stroll around the community and let them meet new people and other children who live in their area.

Playgrounds

Depending on the COVID restrictions in your city, local playgrounds are an excellent place to let your kids run out their energy. It will not only keep them busy and entertained, but they’ll likely sleep better too! 

Bike rides

Family cycling trips are a thrifty way to enjoy the sunshine and each other’s company. Take turns planning trips and let your kids design an adventure for the whole family. It will not only keep them busy, active, and healthy, but it will give them a sense of responsibility.

Camping

While heading out to a campground might cost a little money, try setting up your tent in the backyard. Your kids will love the change of scenery, and if you have a fire pit, you can make it a camping cookout with hotdogs and roasted marshmallows.

Backyard picnic

Pack a traditional picnic with sandwiches, strawberries, and other summer-time goodies, and head out to your deck or patio.

Obstacle course

Design an obstacle course in your backyard using hula hoops, jump ropes, sticks, stones, hoses, and whatever else you can find around your home. Your kids will love the opportunity to compete with siblings and with you. For an extra twist, let your kids have a chance to build their own course and see how fast you can each make it through.

Clean up

Volunteer with your kids to clean up a section of your town or neighborhood. It will help your kids learn the importance of giving something back to others.

Scavenger hunt

Kids love a good scavenger hunt, so why not hide things around your yard and give them clues to find them. You can even take it up a notch and try geocaching around your area with your smartphone.

Swimming

If you are blessed to live near a local lake, a day out will do both you and your kids some good. Pack up some food and snacks and sit on the beach while your kids cool down in the water.

Whatever you and your family do to stay busy and have fun this summer, we hope you will grow closer to each other and God throughout the year.

Looking for Other Fun and Free Ways to Connect with Your Kids This Summer?

Check out these popular posts from The Better Mom to help you have the best summer with your kids!

1. 50 Summer Bucket List Ideas for Kids: In this post, you will find 50 ideas to have the best summer ever with your kids. Cut out the options and put them in a bucket and pull out one each day. Or pick your top ten favorite things to do before summer ends. Be diligent to use these ideas to connect with God in nature and connect with friends and family. As you do you're creating wonderful summer memories!

2. 5 Screen-Free Summer Activities: If you are struggling to peel the iPad out of little hands or encourage your kids to play outside instead of on the Playstation, this post will give you fun and easy ways to encourage a screen-free summer! 

3. 5 Practical Ways to Serve with Your Kids This Summer: While summer is a wonderful time to slow down and soak up family time, it’s also a great opportunity to look around and see how we might bless and serve others. Here are five practical ways to bring our children alongside us as we seek to love and serve this summer.

4. 100+ Ideas for Free and Frugal Summer Fun: I'm sure you have wonderful plans to make extraordinary family memories in the coming months. The Better Mom wants to make these upcoming months a breeze for you and your family. In this post, you will find a go-to list of free and frugal Summer fun ideas.

Blessings,

Chandra Philip