120 Free Things To Do With Kids this Summer
Posted: June 24th, 2012 | 116 Comments
All the things to do listed below are fun things you can do with your kids this summer using things typically found around the house (assuming you have children).
- Make Paper Planes
Look up great new layouts or teach your child the classic folds of paper planes.
Supplies: 8×11 paper, ruler, flat surface - Build a Fort
Every child loves to pretend to be in the wild west or camping out. Capture that creativity and build a fort as a hide out or camp site inside.
Supplies: sheets, pillows, blankets, tables, etc - Picnic
Load up a basket or backpack with all the fixings for your lunch or dinner and a blanket. Head out to your local park or even your front lawn and have a fun meal.
Supplies: lunch or dinner food, blanket, flashlight (if at night), bug spray/sunscreen - Pillow Fight
No explanation necessary here.
Supplies: big fluffy pillows (make sure they do not have buttons on them) - Hide and Seek
If your kid is too old for classic hide and seek, try out the night version “Ghosts in the grave yard” and allow them to play outside at night (with parent supervision of course).
Supplies: good hiding spots - Bake Cookies
Find a recipe that uses any of the baking goods you have around home or purchase a log of dough from your local super market. Let your child help with the measuring and mixing.
Supplies: cookie dough (home made or store bought), oven, cookie cutters, icing, etc - Visit the Library
Look for new books to read, or create a scavenger hunt for different books on animals (picture lists for the little ones).
Supplies: library card, car (unless you live within walking distance) - Go Thrift-ing
Thrift-ing can be a practical way to have your kid shop inexpensively for things you really need at home.
Supplies: A few dollars to let your child spend while “thrift-ing” - Scrapbook
Give your child some old photographs they love to make special scrapbook pages you can add to your own scrapbooks.
Supplies: old pictures, craft paper, glue, sparkles, etc - Origami
This ancient art form is fun for kids of all ages.
Supplies: origami paper or really thin paper (easy to make small folds) - Ghost Stories in the Dark
Gather around a camp fire or flash light and tell ghost stories.
Supplies: flashlight or campfire, imagination - 12. Make S’mores
Everyone loves to enjoy this treat, what makes it even better is its easy for kids to make!
Supplies: gram crackers, chocolate bars (like Hershey’s), marshmallows
Photo by eyeliam - Finger Painting
Allow your kids to go wild with paint. We recommend doing this craft outdoors.
Supplies: kid friendly paint, trash bags (to layout under where the little one will be painting), large pieces of paper - Treasure Hunts
This is an easy way to occupy your kid long enough to get some chores done around the house (maybe even a way to get them involved in the chores).
Supplies: hidden treasure (something like a favorite toy), a piece of paper with a “treasure map” - Board Games
Even if you are lacking in board games at home, kids can make their own checkers set.
Supplies: Board games, supplies to make your own games - Camp at Home
Pitch a tent your living room or yard and allow the kids to enjoy the fun of camping without the hassle of a vacation.
Supplies: tent, sleeping bags, blankets/pillows, flashlight - Garden
Allow your kids to have a designated part of your garden to plant and maintain their seeds throughout the summer.
Supplies: dirt, seeds, shovel, water - Photography
Set your kid up with your old digital camera or a disposable camera with a few shots left from your last vacation.
Supplies: camera - Catch Bugs
Make sure you show your kids what bugs are okay to catch and which ones are better left outside before you end up with some nasty bugs coming inside.
Supplies: cleaned out jelly or jam jar with a tight sealing lid that has holes poked in it
Photo by l-ines - Create a Play or Musical
Have your kids come up with an original play or musical and act it out for you at the end of a days practice.
Supplies: imagination, props or costumes from household items - Learn new Jokes
Everyone loves to laugh, so why not take some time to learn new jokes with your kids?
Supplies: time, sense of humor - Pick Flowers
Make sure that you are not setting your kids loose to pick flowers in the unfriendly neighbors yards.
Supplies: scissors, knowledge of whose yard is flower picking friendly - Hike
This is a great weekend activity for the whole family to enjoy the outdoors together.
Supplies: sunscreen, bug spray, backpack, water bottle, snacks - Museum
If you have a local museum, call up and ask when they offer free hours. Most museums, especially in the summer, will offer free hours and days for visitors.
Supplies: ability to get to a museum - Playground
Playgrounds can be fun at all ages. If your taking an older kid with you make sure you have some fun ideas for things like obstacle.
Supplies: local playground - Bike Ride
Either send out your older kids for a ride or go along with the younger ones. This is a great fun way to get in some exercise.
Supplies: bikes, bike route - Movies & Popcorn on a rainy day
Gather up your kids, their favorite movies, and some popcorn on a rainy day.
Supplies: movies, popcorn, blankets, pillows - Sand Castle or Sand Sculpture
Have a fun day at the beach (or sandbox) making sand castles or if your child is more ambitious sand sculptures.
Supplies: scooping devices, sand, water - Sculpting with Clay
It can be fun to make new things out of clay. Challenge your child to make a new bowl for the kitchen.
Supplies: Clay (you might be able to get some clay scraps for free from your local pottery shop) - Make Mazes and Puzzles
An easy way to keep your kids occupied for hours with minimal supplies.
Supplies: pens/pencils, paper - Coloring Books
Whether you already have some at home or print out new sheets online coloring is fun for kids of all ages.
Supplies: crayons, markers, colored pencils - Card Games
Their always seems to be an infinite new number of card games with every generation. Have your kid learn some of your old favorites, or challenge your child to make up their own game.
Supplies: deck of cards - Zoo
Take advantage of the free days at your local zoo.
Supplies: water, sunscreen, bug spray, packed lunch - Make a Movie
What kids don’t love to see themselves as a star on tv? Take advantage of your old camcorder and let the kids imaginations run wild.
Supplies: video recorder (some cameras have this functionality as well) - Make Goop
This fun craft has been amusing kids for ages.
Supplies: corn starch, water, food coloring, plastic bag - 36. Make Playdough
If you want to avoid the expensive store bought dough this is a great alternative that is completely natural and safe.
Supplies: flour, water, cream of tartar, oil, salt, food coloring
Photo by bessgrant - Make Popsicles
A fun way to make a yummy snack.
Supplies: popsicle molds (an ice cube tray can work too), popsicle sticks, juice, freezer - Lemonade Stand
A great way to help your kids start to understand money. Set up the stand and ask a reasonable price (anywhere from 25-50 cents per glass depending on their size). Have your kids go with you to the store to pick up the lemonade mix or lemons and let them pick out an item they are trying to earn by having the stand.
Supplies: table (or box), sign, disposable cups, pitcher, lemonade - Lake/River/Pool
What could be more fun on a hot day than heading out to your local swimming hole?
Supplies: sunscreen, towels, bug spray, water - Pen Pals
If your child is struggling with his/her writing skills or just has an interest in making a friend from far away look into becoming pen pals.
Supplies: pen, paper, stamps, envelopes, pen pal - Tye Dye
If your child is tired of their boring white socks, why not have a tye dye day?
Supplies: white clothing, bucket, water, various dyes, rubber bands - Volcano
Making a volcano is a great way to sneak in some science to your child’s summer vacation.
Supplies: clay, vinegar, baking soda, red food coloring (if you want the eruption to be red like magma) - Magic Tricks
Just about every child has a magic phase. Why not let them learn how to be a magician themselves?
Supplies: cards, coins, pencils, string - 44. Fly Kites
If this activity gets rained out why not watch Mary Poppins kite scene to keep the kids excited for tomorrow?
Supplies: kite or balsa wood, tissue paper, glue, string
Photo by narradora - BBQ
The smell of bbq is enough to make everyone around salivate. This is a great way to get impatient kids cooking since you can grill veggies in a snap.
Supplies: grill, veggies, meat - Volunteer
Is your child really into puppies but you cant have one at home? Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community and give your child his puppy fix without having to bring the puppy home.
Supplies: listing of local volunteering opportunities - Obstacle Day
Create a giant obstacle course for your kids in the yard.
Supplies: rope (can be used for a three legged race), old sack or pillow case (hoping race), etc - Dance Party
Let your kids find their own rhythm or give them some fun dance moves to try out.
Supplies: radio/cd/mp3 player with kid friendly tunes - Paint Faces
This is an all time kid classic for going to amusement parks. Why not bring the fun home?
Supplies: face paint - Water Balloon Fight
If you have two or more kids or a neighborhood full of little ones this is a great way to cool off on a hot day.
Supplies: balloons, water faucet - Water Gun Fight
Stop by the dollar store to stock up on water guns if you don’t already have some lying around.
Supplies: water guns, water - Home Made Slip’n Slide
Don’t waste your money on an expensive slip’n slide that will probably break make one using everyday household items that you can throw out when your finished.
Supplies: smooth hill, trash bags (preferably the durable type), hose, dish soap, towels, swim suits - Trivia Game
This can be a great game to play on a long car ride or at home. Just come up with some trivia (you could look some up online or just use your own knowledge) and quiz your kids.
Supplies: trivia questions - Explore the Neighborhood
Have an adventure and discover some hidden treasures in your local neighborhood. Remember to record everything you see so you can further inspect these hidden gems at a later date.
Supplies: notebook, pen, binoculars, magnifying glass - Blow Bubbles
For the smaller children blow bubbles and have them chase them around the yard trying to pop or catch them. Older children will enjoy making the bubbles themselves.
Supplies: dish soap, water, pipe cleaners - Shadow Puppets
This is a great game to play on a rainy summer day. Close off all the windows in a room and see who can come up with the most original shadow puppet.
Supplies: hands, flashlight, dark room - Flip Book
If your looking for a craft to occupy an older kid who loves to draw this is ideal. Explain the concept that each of the drawings need to be in the same corner of the book and each page needs to have the image change only slightly. Then let the kids imagination run wild with ideas.
Supplies: paper bound together, pen/pencil - Play in the Rain
Let your kid enjoy the rain by splashing around in puddles and getting soaked. Remember to have some warm towels ready when they want to come in.
Supplies: rainy day - Play in the Mud
What kid doesn’t dream of being drenched in mud? Not many to say the least. Let your kid go hog wild in a mud puddle from the latest rain storm.
Supplies: mud, hose (to wash them off before they try to run inside) - Build with Legos or Duplos
Legos and Duplos are great for building anything your child can imagine. If they are feeling ready for a challenge try drawing a simple house and having them try to recreate it with their blocks.
Supplies: legos, duplos - Giant Bubble Bath
Ever wondered what a giant mountain of bubbles would look like? Well if you haven’t, I bet your child has. Experiment with different kids of soap in the tub (without the little one inside of course) to see what type of soap will make the biggest mountain of bubbles!
Supplies: various types of soap - 62. Decorating Cakes and Cupcakes
If you don’t love to bake stop by the grocery store early in the morning or late in the evening to pick up leftover cakes from the previous day at discounted prices. Bring them home with some icing or whip up a batch of icing yourself and allow your child to decorate the yummy items.
Supplies: cake/cupcakes, icing, etc
Photo by malomemory - Dress Up
Bring out your old dresses from the 80′s or some old spandex leotard. Sure these items are not fashionable anymore, but that doesn’t mean your little one wont love running around in them!
Supplies: hideous old clothing - Fake Accent Day
Before starting this activity remember your child is probably going to continue talking in funny accents long after you “stop” the game.
Supplies: ability to imitate accents (wild west, British, Jamaican, Southern, etc) - Thumb-Wrestle
Challenge your children to a thumb wrestling tournament. Explain the rules, teach them the song (1, 2, 3, 4 I declare a thumb war, 5, 6, 7, 8 try to keep your thumbs straight!)
Supplies: thumbs - Learn to Juggle
Sure clowns make it look easy but can you juggle? Devote a day to becoming a master of the trade. Who know’s maybe your kid will be hired out for a local birthday party!
Supplies: 3 squishy balls - Prank Calls (to family members of course)
We recommend warning Aunt Suzie before you have your little one prank call her asking if her Refrigerator is running.
Supplies: phone with unlimited minutes - Window Shop
This activity may be torture for the kids who cant stand shopping. But for those who like to make lists for birthdays and Christmas this could be a great way to get in some exercise while finding out what their next holiday present will be.
Supplies: pen and paper - Tickle Fight
Start a tickle fight with your little one.
Supplies: knowing ticklish spots on your child - Crafts
Lay out a table of craft supplies and let your kids imagination run wild.
Supplies: various craft supplies (whatever you have laying around the house) - Fishing
Remember that fishing gear the kids got for Christmas ages ago? Why not take it for a spin at the local lake? Who knows you might not have to go shopping for dinner tonight!
Supplies: fishing pole, lake/river
Photo by courosa - Treasure Hunt at the Beach
We all have seen people walking around with metal detectors at the beach, why not let your kids dig around for the same treasure? Point out places you think treasure might be and have a hunt.
Supplies: shovel/scooping toy - Random Acts of Kindness
Plan out something special to do for your elderly neighbors. Maybe its having your kid read them a book or bringing over the cupcakes you decorated. You never know who’s day your child can brighten by doing a good deed.
Supplies: neighbor in need of cheering up - Feed the Ducks or Geese
Use the end pieces of bread and shred them up for the birds at your local lake. Head down to the lake and let your kid throw the pieces to the birds and watch them swarm.
Supplies: old bread - Visit the Dog Park
Even if you don’t have a dog this can be fun. Head out to your local dog park with or without your own pooch and have fun watching the doggies play.
Supplies: local dog park - Paddle Boating
This one might cost a few dollars unless you have a friend with a paddle boat.
Supplies: lake, paddle boat - Frisbee Golfing
Many cities now a days have a free frisbee golf course. If your unsure if your’s does look it up online. If not, you can create your own course in your back yard. Have your kids toss their frisbees to certain points in the yard in a set number of throws.
Supplies: frisbee - Play with Sidewalk Chalk
Sidewalk chalk is designed to wash off easily after a rain storm.
Supplies: sidewalk chalk - Make Jewelry
Use everyday items to make fashionable master pieces.
Supplies: pasta, beads, string, paint - Popsicle Bird house
This is a great craft because everyone in the family can enjoy identifying the birds who come around to visit the house.
Supplies: popsicles, glue - Dry Flowers
This is a great craft for kids who are really into nature and flowers.
Supplies: flowers, heavy book, rubber bands. - Melt Crayons
This craft will only work for older children and requires a lot of super vision.
Supplies: open flame, oven, microwave, crayons - Play Tag or Freeze Tag
Lots of kids around the neighborhood.
Supplies: plenty of kids - Rock Garden/Paint Rocks
Gather up some unwanted rocks and arrange them to create a garden. Or if you have some paint laying around let your kids paint some rocks for added decoration.
Supplies: rocks, paint
Photo by awesomejoolie - Bird or People Watch
Get a good comfy spot outside either in a public place or in your backyard. Have fun people or bird watching with your child.
Supplies: good eye sight - Jump Rope
Have a contest to see who can jump rope for the longest, or see who can jump the most times in a row without stopping. Their are endless amounts of possibilities for activities when your jumping rope.
Supplies: jump rope - Sprinklers
If you have a yard, you have sprinklers. Which means you have a fun water park in your backyard for your kids to play in!
Supplies: sprinklers - Hopscotch
Their is no right or wrong way to play hopscotch. Teach your child your favorite version and watch as they have fun with this classic game.
Supplies: sidewalk chalk - Tea Party
Have a fun tea party with fake (or real) tea in fancy (or fake) cups.
Supplies: cups, imagination - Hunt for Four Leaf Clovers
We all know that this are just about impossible to find, but why crush your child’s hopes? Let them explore for hours looking for the mythical 4-leafed clover!
Supplies: good eye sight - Wash the Car
This sounds like a chore to the well seasoned adult, but you’d be surprised how much fun your child can have washing your car.
Supplies: hose, soap, towels - Noodle Crafts
Noodles make the perfect medium for hundreds of crafts. Whether you want to build a city by gluing together different shapes of pasta or if you want to make a necklace noodles are the medium for you.
Supplies: noodles, craft supplies - Collect Tadpoles
If you live in an area with lots of water and frogs this is a fun summer activity.
Supplies: bowl with water, lake/pond with tadpoles
Photo by timailius - Make a Sundial
Have fun teaching your children about the history surrounding the clock by making a sundial.
Supplies: sticks, rocks, playdough - Play with Hair
This is a great activity for little girls.
Supplies: hair tyes, gel, brushes, clips - Watch the Clouds
This is fun for children and adults of all ages. Lay on your back and watch the puffy clouds go by.
Supplies: sunny but cloudy day - Burning Ants with Magnifying Glasses
If you don’t mind teaching your child this trick it can lead to endless amounts of fun for your child and a cheap way to manage those pesky bugs!
Supplies: magnifying glass - Binocular Adventure
If you live on the edge of the wilderness this can be a fun scavenger hunt type game for your child. Spot some birds out in the wooded area and then have your kids try to find them.
Supplies: binoculars - Leaf Pile
This activity might be hard in the summer, but if your looking for something fun in the fall check back to this activity. Make a pile of leaves and let your kid jump around in them.
Supplies: pile of leaves - Crochet or Knit
This is easiest if this is already a hobby of yours, but if its not you can still teach them using the instructions found online.
Supplies: yarn, knitting needles
Photo by mtlebanonlibrary - Sock Puppets
Gather up some old socks (hopefully they will have been washed already) glue and various items you can use to make eyes, ears, noses and mouths.
Supplies: old socks, glue, etc - Read-A-Thon
Find some of your child’s favorite books and challenge them to finish three (short story) books in a day. Offer a prize if they succeed (like cooking their favorite dinner).
Supplies: books - Vacuum
Although this is a chore for those of us who know better, it can be fun for kids to push around the vacuum and see their scraps disappear.
Supplies: vacuum - Copy Illustrations from a Book
Find your child’s favorite cartoon character or story book character and challenge them to copy the picture.
Supplies: tracing paper, pens, pencils, crayons, markers, etc - Neighborhood Olympics
If you a have a neighborhood full of kids looking for some fun this could be a great idea. Set up all different challenges for the children to perform and have a winner for each event. Try to make sure all children have a chance to win to avoid hurt feelings.
Supplies: various obstacles - Decorate the Driveway with Dandelions
Make sure you are okay with having a yellow covered sidewalk and driveway before giving the go-ahead on this craft. Dandelions make a great painting tool on the sidewalk and can be lots of fun for kids, and a free alternative to sidewalk chalk. The only disadvantage to dandelion painting is that is is quasi permeant.
Supplies: dandelions - Flashlight Tag
Gather up lots of flashlights and play tag in the dark using your light beams.
Supplies: flashlights - Animal Sounds
Make an animal sounds and have your kid try to identify which one you just made or vice versa.
Supplies: voice - Stargazing
Lay back and watch the stars at night.
Supplies: clear night sky - Charades
Have fun playing this classic party game with your children.
Supplies: list of things to act out - Collage
Gather up lots of magazines, newspapers, flyers or anything else with fun pictures. Allow your child to cut out all the images that interest them and arrange them in a fun way to make a new poster for their bedroom.
Supplies: old magazines/newspapers/etc, glue - Neighborhood Spelling Bee
If you have lots of kids who are up to the challenge of memorizing the dictionary this could be fun.
Supplies: dictionaries, judges - Family Newsletter
Let your kid write up some fun summaries about what has been going on in the families life recently. Then let him type them up and send them out to all the grandparents.
Supplies: paper, pen/pencil, computer, printer
Photo by malomemory - Shaving Cream Fight
Gather up old shaving cream you might have around the house and have the neighborhood kids do the same (assuming their parents approve). Let them go crazy with this fun foam.
Supplies: shaving cream - Wind Chime
Make a Wind Chime out of different things you have laying around the house.
Supplies: string, old household items - Start a Club
Have your kid start a club of other kids who are interested in the same things.
Supplies: none - Talent Show
Host a talent show in your house. Let your kids come up with some talents and have them perform for anyone who is willing to watch.
Supplies: make shift stage - Practice Tying Knots
Even if your son/daughter has no desire to be in the Cub or Girl Scouts let them learn the joys of tying knots. You never know when this skill will come in handy.
Supplies: rope/string - Organize a Marching Band
No need for expensive instruments. Gather round the neighborhood kids and arm them with pots, pans, kazoos etc. Make sure you don’t do this activity too late at night or too early in the morning.
Supplies: make shift instruments - Play I-Spy
The great thing about this game is you can play it literally anywhere.
Supplies: none
Great list!
If you live near the water you may be able to visit a ligthhouse. Many are open to climb. The fee is normally low and helps keep the lighthouse in good shape. Go to “Lighthouse Friends” or “Lighthouse Directory” for more details (should come up on a search).
Parents please refrain from teaching your children to be cruel to living creatures by setting them on fire!
great ideas…thank you. I can’t believe there is anyone who can honestly say they don’t remember burning ants as a kid, they must not have grown up in the country then.
thank you so much for creating this list. I was going to be so board if it weren’t for u!sure the burning ants and prank calling isnt the best idea but everyone has an opinion. (i might not of spelled most of that right, but hey, im a kid.)
Ok, so burning ants and crank calling may not be the most wholesome of activities, but a childhood would not be complete without them.
This gave me so many ideas.
Whoever said that #97 is bad, then you are just messed up. Let the kids do something fun.
My friend and i love your website! We will do almost all of these today with our kids.Thank you Mr.FreeStuff!
Just wanted to say for the slip n slide idea, been there done that and my kids complained of soap in their eyes, sooo i thought, use “no tears baby shampoo”…works wonderfully!!
ReallY?? Ant Burning really people!!
I’m the activity coordinator at a daycare and in the summer we do a different activity everyday (wear a certain color one day, do crafts another day) and this list really helped me get some new ideas for this summer. Thanks!
I have done every one of theses this summer now I’m board what do I do now help
Now my best firend and I will have a fun summer!!! thank you!
great list!!
I really like some of these ideas except for burning ants what did the ant do to you people who are burning them?
NON HOMESCHOOLING AND NON PTA MOM…
That is really weird that you actually believe it is a great pastime a boy should experience ! I hope another influence in the life of your children helped them grow up to learn empathy for everyone. This is why america is such a mess.
The rest of the list is great. Thanks.
all of you complaining about #97 she obviosly said if you want to so really really get some glasses
This list is awesome. But I agree that the burning ants are cruel.
WONDERFUL LIST! FORGET EVERYONE AGANIST THE ANT BURNING ITS REALLY REALLY REALLY FUN
I love your list it really helped me and I am not bent out of shape because ant burning and prank calling who are they to tell you that that’s cruel!?
Some people might say that burning ants is cruel but when I saw that I was laughing my butt of.
really good list but i dont have any body to do it with
Just for the record, I don’t see anyone coming up with their own list. As for the list, its a great one.
Come on people. Burning Ants isnt teaching anyone to be cruel. Dont you buy ant and bug spray, mouse traps, and smash a mosquito if it lands on you? Whats the difference? If I see a spider I call my boys to come kill it! People go way to far now days about killing its a bug for pete sake not a animal.
lol on all the people who are against burning ants. they are just ants people. if you care for them so much let them live in your house. this is a great list.
Burning ants made me laugh. People will always focus on the 1 thing they don’t like instead of the 124 they do…my car is seriously dirty so that’s what we’ll be doing today!
I heart this list THANK U SO MUCH
Ok people take a pill! As a very smart man once told me if it don’t apply don’t deny! If u don’t want to teach your kids don’t but also know that pushing your beliefs on someone is just as cruel as burning ants! Ha ha I wouldn’t do it but I don’t mind squashing them when I see em!
Terrific List- minus the ant burning (ew!) and the prank calling (really?). But, hey, 118 our of 120 ain’t bad. lol
MAKE MORE !!!!!
like it
pour ant!): i am an animal lover and i would never let my kid read that
Seriously people! It is a list of ideas. You can pick and choose what you want to do with your kids. Nobody said you had to burn ants or make prank calls!
I agree with those not in favor of teaching children to destroy living things in such a manner. that is sick, and so is anyone defending it.
Oh get over it! If you have ever squashed a spider, swatted a fly, set out a mouse trap or sprayed poison for bugs, you are no better than a kid burning ant’s! Great list!
Very nice list! Have a lot of great ideas to do with the kids this summer!! Thanks a lot! School lets out june7 so now I can be ready!
burning ants i dont think that is nice but still people dont need to be rude gosh!!!!! i am appalled by this baby behavior
this website has ridiculous entertainement. towards the end it was lacking fun things to do. vacuum? who wants to spend a summer day vacuuming? we were writing down things and we got seven out of 120. needless to say, we weren’t impressed. but thank u for the suggestions.
i babysit 2 little boys during the summer and as i read the list they loved it! I think that number 97 is a good idea to keep these little guys busy! thanks for the great ideas!
I love this list! Thanks!
Got some great ideas for my kiddos! Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us! God bless!
i am babysitting a couple of kids this summer and this list ws very helpful!
me and my cousin had lot’s of fun doing the lemonade stand. we had nothing to do.thanks for your help.
I have a suggestion, maybey go mini golfing
Help build something with wood or Popsicle sticks
You guys can’t just take the good stuff and forget what you don’t like or think is appropriate? Seriously? The rest of the list is great…so just DON’T DO #97!
@Ken – not sure what you meant about “I smell homeschool parents” – being that I homeschool myself…but you’d be surprised at the things that my children have gotten to experience. You must not know any people that homeschool.
I LOVED this list. We’re adding it to our list of stuff for the summer!
Love the list! Brought back memories of my childhood and I can’t wait to do these things with my kids this summer!
I’m a nanny so I’m always looking for fun new things to do with little ones
Most of these are great, except #97…why would I teach a child how to kill an innocent creature for “endless hours of fun” no thanks, I’ll stick to finger paint and bubbles.
really!?!all of you guys comlaining about burning ants are just uptight freaks with rods up your butts!let little kids have fun and dont let them not be dirty!its a fact of life for kids to play games and get dirty!!!!!!!!so just suck it up and pull those rods out of your butts!!!!
That is soooo cruel, i mean, burning ants, and prank calling??? Other than that it was a very helpful list thank you so much!
How about slaughtering chickens to help with dinner? Or throwing stones at ugly people? Goes right along with burning ants.
Thank you for the list… aunt burning maybe not for me… but everyone is different, and thats ok. Lol
You can’t please everyone. I would add “Shoot cans with airsoft/pellet gun” and I’m sure many would disapprove of that one too. I think these are great ideas! Every single one
Great list of suggestions! Makes me wish all my kids were still little! Now I’m thinking about whose kids I can borrow to make these memories with!
I won’t give you a hard time about burning ants – I admit to doing it to the giant ones when I was a kid – but I just had that chat with my kids about a month ago actually, and would not recommend it! Lol
Love the list! some great ideas, except the burning ants and prank calls, not cool. not home schooled or on the PTA and i still think theres something wrong about killing one of God’s creatures, especially in that manner, definitly doesn’t teach children anything except how to be cruel.
I think the list is great EXCEPT for burning ants (teaching cruelty) and prank calling (harassment). And…I’m not an uptight parent! They are just wrong!
I agree that burning ants is not something that I want my son to be doing. They are God’s creatures and killing them for fun is just evil.
Wonderful list I will print it out and attempt to do everything on it this summer with the kids. Especially burning aunts. Lol
Thank you so much for this list! It really brought me back to my childhood & made me realize just how much more time I should be spending with my children & just how many free things there are still out there instead of me being upset that I cant afford to take my kids places! Thank you so much! I will check off each thing after we do them
As with anything, take the ideas that work for you. Maybe add to or change them even – ie: for #97, burn a hole in a piece of paper w/ a magnifying glass. Great ideas in one place – good reminders when the brain freeze hits and the kids are saying, “I’m bored!!”
You can’t make everyone happy with all 120 items! So, you only have 119 items you are willing to do… Overall, what a great list! I’m excited to start marking off items we do.
The list is perfect! We step on ants daily in the summer whether it be in the grass or on the pavement. Are you people serious. Let kids be kids now days instead of magically induced and television seduced and mentally reduced to a zombie state. For those of you that think it’s cruelto burn ants,the children starving and homeless right here in the US is a tad more important than burning ants. FIND A REAL CAUSE!
At first thought the ant burning was a bit extreme but I prefer to just step on them. Lots of good suggestions. To those concerned about the prank calls I’m sure your children will never do it on their own…fools.
Any suggestions for 13 year old girls?
Really?!!! This amazing list of things to do with your kids and you have to point out the less than 1% of the list you DIDN’T like. For all you hypocrites out there, maybe you should stop killing spiders, swatting flies and make sure you don’t ever fumigate your house! Don’t blame me when your kid grows up to be a wierdo and my ant killers are well adjusted contributing members of society!
I was a homeschool parent and think the burning ants was great, can’t wait to teach the kids that one! Wonderful list! Thanks!
Great list. Plan to combine many of these activities for a backyard boys day this Summer for my sons.
The ant burning idea isn’t one that I would choose to do with my kids either but the the others are great activites! It is your choice which ones you do, they just gave you suggestions. Thank you for the suggestions!
LOL, not all homeschool parents are helicopters. Burning ants was always fun. The kids and I use butane to freeze them, too.
thanks for taking the time to make up a list of free things to do!
really ant burning i work at a daycare and that is one thing i don’t want my daycare kids to be doing but other than that this list is great!!
paint you fingers
really,,, if you remember back to when you were a kid how many time did u burn squish or kill an ant for fun quit being so up tight an get over yourself….
Great list. Thank you. I will definitely do many of these with my son. As for those with negative comments about burning ants, burning ants isn’t cruel, its fun and kids think its “cool”! Some people just have to find something to complain about, there are 120 suggestions to do on this list and some people feel the need to pick at just one suggestion? Get a life and pull the stick out of your butts! I’m sure they don’t mind stomping on roaches….
Great list, funny how people focus on ONE thing they didn’t like out of over 100–thank you for the ideas!
I also agree that burning ants is not something we should be teaching our children. we should be teaching them to love and respect all of god’s creatures. Also an alternative to the shaving cream fight (the shaving cream fight can burn eyes) is to use the canned whipped cream for a fight, just as fun and ALOT TASTEIER!!! All and all great list.
Burning ants sounds like fun as long as they aren’t to young. Prank calling is also a little out there but all of the ideas sound like fun. Thanks!
Thank you for creating this list. It was very helpful for me!
Awesome List!
Thank you for creating this list!
Im looking for things to do with my children to prevent them from prank calling people ( even if it is there aunt it teaches them that it ok.) or being crul (ant burning).
I smell homeschool parents… or PTA psychos, trying to keep little boys from being boys. Burning ants is an incredible past time that every boy should be able to think back on with joy.
But, thanks for all the great suggestions. All the other ones are wonderful ideas.
I’m with the rest of these guys. I’m not bent out of shape about burning ants but that might not be the best pass time for kids.
Good grief, since when has burning ants taught children to be mean? Maybe its me but the ones sitting there complaining seem a tad uptight.
# 97. Really? Really? Jerks.
I cannot believe your suggestion for #97 (burning ants). That is just cruel and it teaches kids to be the same. Very disappointing. There are more humane ways of barring ants from your house. Good grief.
this is a great list – except for burning ants – they may be ‘pesky’ but teaching a child to kill a living thing isn’t teaching empathy or respect for living creatures.
i want that for baby