Photo by christopher

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. Pillow Fight
No explanation necessary here.
Supplies: big fluffy pillows (make sure they do not have buttons on them)

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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”

9. 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

10. Origami
This ancient art form is fun for kids of all ages.
Supplies: origami paper or really thin paper (easy to make small folds)

11. Ghost Stories in the Dark
Gather around a camp fire or flash light and tell ghost stories.
Supplies: flashlight or campfire, imagination

Photo by eyeliam

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

13. 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

14. 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”

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

Photo by l-ines

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. Hike
This is a great weekend activity for the whole family to enjoy the outdoors together.
Supplies: sunscreen, bug spray, backpack, water bottle, snacks

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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)

30. Make Mazes and Puzzles
An easy way to keep your kids occupied for hours with minimal supplies.
Supplies: pens/pencils, paper

31. 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

32. 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

33. Zoo
Take advantage of the free days at your local zoo.
Supplies: water, sunscreen, bug spray, packed lunch

34. 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)

35. Make Goop
This fun craft has been amusing kids for ages.
Supplies: corn starch, water, food coloring, plastic bag

Photo by bessgrant

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

37. Make Popsicles
A fun way to make a yummy snack.
Supplies: popsicle molds (an ice cube tray can work too), popsicle sticks, juice, freezer

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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

41. 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

42. 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)

43. 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

Photo by narradora

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

45. 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

46. 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

47. 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

48. 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

49. Paint Faces
This is an all time kid classic for going to amusement parks. Why not bring the fun home?
Supplies: face paint

50. 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

51. 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

52. 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

53. 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

54. 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

55. 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

56. 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

57. 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

58. 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

59. 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)

60. 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

61. 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

Photo by malomemory

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

63. 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

64. 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)

65. 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

66. 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

67. 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

68. 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

69. Tickle Fight
Start a tickle fight with your little one.
Supplies: knowing ticklish spots on your child

70. 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)

Photo by courosa

71. 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

72. 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

73. 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

74. 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

75. 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

76. Paddle Boating
This one might cost a few dollars unless you have a friend with a paddle boat.
Supplies: lake, paddle boat

77. 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

78. Play with Sidewalk Chalk
Sidewalk chalk is designed to wash off easily after a rain storm.
Supplies: sidewalk chalk

79. Make Jewelry
Use everyday items to make fashionable master pieces.
Supplies: pasta, beads, string, paint

80. 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

81. Dry Flowers
This is a great craft for kids who are really into nature and flowers.
Supplies: flowers, heavy book, rubber bands.

82. Melt Crayons
This craft will only work for older children and requires a lot of super vision.
Supplies: open flame, oven, microwave, crayons

83. Play Tag or Freeze Tag
Lots of kids around the neighborhood.
Supplies: plenty of kids

Photo by awesomejoolie

84. 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

85. 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

86. 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

87. 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

88. 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

89. Tea Party
Have a fun tea party with fake (or real) tea in fancy (or fake) cups.
Supplies: cups, imagination

90. 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

91. 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

92. 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

Photo by timailius

93. 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

94. Make a Sundial
Have fun teaching your children about the history surrounding the clock by making a sundial.
Supplies: sticks, rocks, playdough

95. Play with Hair
This is a great activity for little girls.
Supplies: hair tyes, gel, brushes, clips

96. 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

97. 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

98. 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

99. 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

100. 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

101. 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

102. 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

103. 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

104. 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

105. 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

106. 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

107. Flashlight Tag
Gather up lots of flashlights and play tag in the dark using your light beams.
Supplies: flashlights

108. Animal Sounds
Make an animal sounds and have your kid try to identify which one you just made or vice versa.
Supplies: voice

109. Stargazing
Lay back and watch the stars at night.
Supplies: clear night sky

110. Charades
Have fun playing this classic party game with your children.
Supplies: list of things to act out

111. 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

112. 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

113. 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

114. 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

115. Wind Chime
Make a Wind Chime out of different things you have laying around the house.
Supplies: string, old household items

116. Start a Club
Have your kid start a club of other kids who are interested in the same things.
Supplies: none

117. 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

118. 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

119. 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

120. Play I-Spy
The great thing about this game is you can play it literally anywhere.
Supplies: none

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