100 KIDS SUMMER ACTIVITIES ON A DIME

100 KIDS SUMMER ACTIVITIES ON A DIME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have created a bucket list with 100 things you can do with your kids this summer.

Who needs expensive theme parks with long lines? You can give your children a memorable summer, while saving your extra money towards things like vacations, RESPs, and their extra curricular yearly activities.
Enjoy the list!

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100 KIDS SUMMER ACTIVITIES ON A DIME

1) WATER GUN FIGHT/WATER BALLOON FIGHT

2) MAKE BUBBLE SNAKES
https://entertainkidsonadime.com/2014/05/12/bubble-snakes-outdoor-activity/
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3) MAKE A LIFE SIZE INDOOR BOARD GAME
http://www.toddlerapproved.com/2011/07/escape-volcano-shape-game.html?m=1

4) HOT CAR CRAYON MAKER
http://www.cometogetherkids.com/2011/07/hot-car-crayons.html?m=1

5) MAKE SOAP CLOUDS
http://ourbestbites.com/2012/04/kitchen-craft-soap-clouds-and-homemade-kiddie-tub-soaps/

6) CRAYON SAND PAPER T-SHIRTS
http://alphamom.com/family-fun/crafts/sandpaper-printed-t-shirt/

7) GLOW STICKS DANCE PARTY
Go to the Dollarstore and buy some fun glow sticks, turn off the lights, and blast some music!

8) MAKE BALLOON ROCKETS
http://discoverexplorelearn.com/balloon-rockets/

9) FAMILY CAR RACE
http://tpcraft.blogspot.ca/2011/02/toilet-paper-roll-race-car.html?m=1

10) MAKE A MARSHMALLOW SHOOTER
http://www.cometogetherkids.com/2011/09/mini-marshmallow-shooters-or-pom-pom.html?m=1

11) STORY STONES
http://www.creativefamilyfun.net/2011/08/story-stones.html?m=1

12) MAKE PLAYDOUGH MATS
This will keep the little ones busy for a long time!
http://picklebums.com/2014/07/22/fun-food-play-dough-mats/#_a5y_p=2110571

13) ACTION DICE GAME
http://teachingmama.org/pool-noodle-water-wall/

14) FEED DUCKS AT A POND

15) POPCORN OLYMPICS
http://m.orsoshesays.com/06d5fln/articles/34077/The-Popcorn-Olympics-Fun-Activity-for-Kids-she-Veronica-

16) WATCH A FREE OUTDOOR MOVIE
Search online your city and movies in the park and you should find something close by.

17) MAKE A RETRO THEME DAY
https://entertainkidsonadime.com/2015/06/04/80s-retro-day-at-home/
IMG_6866

18) MAKE A LEMONADE STAND
Kids will be busy decorating the signs and making the lemonade. Ask you neighbours come out and support your kids.

19) FROZEN ICE PLAY
http://theimaginationtree.com/2013/07/ocean-sensory-tray-with-frozen-rice.html

20) OUTDOOR WATER ART
http://www.serving-pink-lemonade.com/2013/06/water-art.html

21) TIC TAC TOWEL
Take a plain towel and make a Tic Tac Toe board out of tape.
Kids can use sea shells or rocks as the pieces.

22) PUT ON A MAGIC SHOW
Learn magic tricks and show family and friends.
http://www.funology.com/magic-tricks/

23) BALLOON POP ROCKS EXPERIMENT
Do the Balloon Fizz Science Experiment
https://entertainkidsonadime.com/2014/07/22/balloon-pop-rocks-experiment/
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23) MAKE CUPCAKES

24) HIDE AND GO SEEK IN THE DARK
Play Hide & Seek with the lights off using glow bracelets.

25) MOCK CAMPING TRIP
Make a mock camping trip
Use a play tent, sleeping bags or blankets, and flash lights. You can eat dinner out side and sing camp songs.

26) MAKE A “RESTAURANT” DINNER
Have your kids help you make dinner. Create menus with them to decorate and serve your spouse or neighbours.

27) DIY GIANT PAPER AIRPLANE
http://m.instructables.com/id/Giant-Paper-Airplane/

28) MAKE A COLLAGE
Make a collage with magazine pages or family photos.

29) MAKE MUSICAL INSTRUMEMTS
Find items around the house and construct different instruments. This teaches kids how to recycle waste into something useful and fun.
https://makingmulticulturalmusic.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/14-world-music-instruments-that-can-be-made-from-recycled-materials/

30) Make Alien Bubbles
http://familylicious.com/alien-bubbles-science/

31) SALAD SPINNER ART
You can purchase a salad spinner at The Dollarama.
http://theimaginationtree.com/2010/09/salad-spinner-art.html

32) MAKE HOMEMADE JAM
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1511719/homemade-raspberry-jam

33) MAKE A TIME CAPSULE
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Time-Capsule-Resources-255339

34) DO A JIGSAW PUZZLES
You can purchase puzzles at Dollarama for $2-$3

35) MAKE A SUN CATCHER
http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/16045/glass-gem-sun-catcher-craft

36) WATCH HOME MOVIES

37) DECORATE WITH PUFFY PAINT
The Dollarama sells Puffy Paint in the art section and you can purchase a top or a hat to decorate.
Make sure you let it completely dry before wearing it.

38) HAVE A PICNIC

39) MAKE ICE CREAM IN A BAG
https://entertainkidsonadime.com/2014/06/16/homemade-ice-cream-in-a-bag/

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40) POOL NOODLE HOCKEY
http://www.sportingadvantage.com.au/news/team-building-learn-to-play-noodle-hockey

41) POTATO STAMPING
http://www.firstpalette.com/Craft_themes/Colors/Potato_Stamps/Potato_Stamps.html

42) BUILD A VILLAGE OUT OF BLOCKS OR LEGO

43) MAKE A DEEJAY DANCE PARTY
Go to the dollar store and get glow sticks! Dress your kids in light colours. Close the blinds and the lights and activate their glow sticks. Put on their favourite songs and have them dance. This one is good when they have friends come over.

44) MAKE A SUMMER SCRAP BOOK

45) SPONGE WATER GAMES
http://www.mamaslikeme.com/2012/07/fun-water-games-for-kids.html?m=1

46) PAPER PLATE MARBLE TRACK
http://frugalfun4boys.com/2012/09/05/paper-plate-marble-track/

47) JUMP ROPE GAMES
http://www.jumpropeinstitute.com/kids.htm

48) CHINESE JUMP ROPE GAMES
http://www.gameskidsplay.net/games/other_games/chinese_jump_rope.htm

49) MAKE ICE EGGS
http://alittlelearningfortwo.blogspot.ca/2011/09/ice-eggs.html?m=1

50) MAKE A FELT PLAY MAT
http://www.mydeliciousambiguity.com/2011/01/diy-felt-play-mats-construction-trains.html?m=1

51) AIRPLANE WATCHING
Take your kids over to Pearson Airport and watch the planes take off and land.

52) FREE CONCERT IN THE PARK

53) DIY KID “CAR” WASH
http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/kids-and-baby/kids-car-wash-sprinkler/project

54) VISIT IKEA
Kids meals are $2.99 and there is a free drop off kids play area while you shop. Need I say more …

55) MAKE A LUA
You can purchase leis, grass skirts and decorations at the Dollar Store. You can also make fruity virgin colada drinks for the kids.

56) GO TO A FLEA MARKET
http://www.fleamarketlist.com/CanadaFleamMarkets/Canadian_Flea_Market08.htm

57) DIY GIANT SLIP & SLIDE with a painter’s tarp and shaving cream.

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58) MAKE A SCAVENGER HUNT
https://www.care.com/a/8-scavenger-hunt-ideas-for-kids-131030133254

59) MAKE A WATER BLOB
This one is cheap and a lot of fun!
https://entertainkidsonadime.com/2014/07/08/large-sensory-blob/
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60) WASH YOUR CAR
Put the kids in a swim suit and give them the hose, some sponges and a bucket full of soap. They will have a ball.

61) BOARD GAME NIGHT

62) PLAY WITH SIDE WALK CHALK
(Have a Colouring Contest, Mini Art Gallery, or create games like Hop Scotch and Tic Tac Toe)

63) OUTDOOR GIANT BOARD GAME
http://www.the36thavenue.com/kid-activities-backyard-game-board/

64) CATCH FIRE FLIES

65) TRIP TO THE PET STORE

66) PLAY IN THE SPRINKLER

67) FLOWER POT CRAFT
https://entertainkidsonadime.com/tag/flower-pot/

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68) MAKE A VIDEO
Whether you have one of those little FLIP videos, a camera, or your cell phone, get your children to make a play.
Have them practice it a bunch of times. Find or make some costumes and have them perform their play on the video.
You can put it on the computer for them to watch.

69) CARD BOARD BOX CREATIONS
Take your children to the grocery or drug store and ask for extra used boxes.
Here are some cool ideas your can do with coard board boxes:
http://www.designdazzle.com/2013/09/15-cardboard-creations-to-make-for-kids/

70) GO TO THE BEACH

71) NATURE ART
Take your kids to a local park or nature trail and have them pick out items (ie. leaves, sticks, rocks, flowers)/
Give them bristol board and glue and have them make abstract art using their findings.

72) MAKE SMORES
Using a microwave or a real fire pit, you can get into the camping spirit!

73) MAKE A PLAYING CARD CASTLE

74) MAKE PIZZA

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75) SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments.html

76) OUTDOOR COMPETITIONS
Get the neighbour hood kids over and host a competition.
Split the kids in fair teams.
You can create some games to play:
* Potato Sack Races (using garbage bags or pillow cases)
* 3 Legged Race using Socks or Shoe Laces
* Water Balloon Toss
* Spoon Race (holding a ping pong ball or egg)

77) MAKE EDIBLE PLAYDOUGH
https://entertainkidsonadime.com/2014/03/26/easy-play-dough-recipes/
snail2

78) MAKE A BOAT PATH
http://www.crumbbums.com/?p=2842

79) MAKE AN AQUARIUM
All you need is two paper plates (cut out the middle of one), glue, googly eyes, foam, blue paint, saran wrap and rocks from outside.
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80) HOME MADE TAP SHOES
Tape nickels to the bottom of your kid’s running shoes and you’ve got a pair of tap shoes.

81) GO TO A TOWN MAIN STREET
Go for a walk down the street. Grab an ice cream cone.
Suggested Place: Unionville Main Street in Markham is a great choice. Any Cottage Country down town strip will do the trick.

82) FEED THE DUCKS
Go to a local pond with cut up bread.

83) MAKE A HOMEMADE SLIP AND SLIDE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMEpizMzWM8

84) BURY A TIME CAPSULE
http://www.familiesonlinemagazine.com/timecapsulejak.htm

85) GROW FRUIT OR VEGETABLES

86) GO TO A FARMER’S MARKET

87) VISIT A PET STORE

88) MAKE AN OBSTACLE COURSE
https://entertainkidsonadime.com/tag/diy-obstacle-course/
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89) PLAY SHARK
All you need is a folded ironing board to be your boat. Keep the kids on the boat. If they fall off, they get “eaten” by the Shark, which Mom or Dad can play!

90) GO TO A SPLASH PAD

91) MAKE A WATER BALLOON SLIP AND SLIDE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbjD7rerj6E

92) MAKE SAND BUCKET MINIONS
http://frugalfun4boys.com/2015/05/13/minions-sand-buckets-with-a-free-printable-pattern/

93) HAVE A CARD GAME TOURNAMENT
http://www.todaysparent.com/family/activities/10-kid-friendly-card-games/

94) MAKE A HIGH TEA PARTY
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-throw-afternoon-tea-party

95) GO GEOCACHING
https://www.geocaching.com/play

96) MAKE YOUR OWN MAD LIBS
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Mad-Lib

97) EXPLODING BAGS EXPERIMENT
This one is messy but a lot of fun!
https://entertainkidsonadime.com/2014/05/21/exploding-bags-fun-science-experiment/
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98) MAKE A PET ROCK
Pick a rock outside. Let the kids paint them, decorate them

99) SUMO WRESTLING MATCH
Make the kids are supervised during this one.
http://allfortheboys.com/home/2012/2/2/sumo-boys.html

100) MAKE A LEGO NIGHT LIGHT
http://frugalfun4boys.com/2015/05/07/how-to-build-a-lego-night-light/