Boredom doesn’t have to be busted by spending a lot of money. Try one of the following fun summer ideas for kids that are creative and frugal. No more “Mommy, I’m bored” this summer.
Pick Blueberries
…Or raspberries, or strawberries. Find a local pick-your-own farm nearby and enjoy the sunshine. Picking berries is a fun and frugal activity for kids, and you get to take the sweet fruit home with you.
Make Baggie Ice Cream
Forget the expensive ice cream maker. Instead, grab two inexpensive plastic bags for a cool homemade treat. You’ll need a set for each child.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup half and half
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup kosher or rock salt
Ice cubes
1 pint-size ziplock bag
1 gallon-size ziplock bag
Directions:
Combine the sugar, half and half, and vanilla extract in the pint-size bag and seal it tightly.
Place the salt and ice in the gallon-size bag, then place the sealed smaller bag inside as well. Seal the larger bag. Instruct your child to shake the bags for about five minutes until the mixture hardens.
Take the smaller bag out of the larger one, add any mix-ins, such as chocolate chips or fruit, then eat the ice cream right out of the bag!
Check the Library
From Science in the Summer to Lego clubs to sand castle building, you’ll find plenty of free summer activities at the library for your kids. Library too small? Check out other libraries outside of your community. Activities are usually open to everyone.
Go Retro with a Scavenger Hunt
An old- (or new-fashioned) scavenger hunt can be a lot of fun and suitable for all ages. You can search online for printable scavenger hunt forms or create your own games, based on the ages and number of your children, where you live, whether the hunt will be indoors or out, etc. Give inexpensive prizes to the participants, if you like.