--- title: Kid-Friendly Summer Activities description: School's out for summer... now what! TULA brings you lots of great ways to keep kiddos engaged and active through the summer. image: https://www.tulabalanced.com/hubfs/summer%20blog.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://www.tulabalanced.com/blog/kid-friendly-summer-activities#main-content) [![](https://www.tulabalanced.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tula_Alt%20Logo_RGB_Trans.png?width=112&height=50&name=Tula_Alt%20Logo_RGB_Trans.png)](https://www.tulabalanced.com/) - [Home](https://www.tulabalanced.com) - [About TULA](https://www.tulabalanced.com/about-0-0) - [How it Works](https://www.tulabalanced.com/how-it-works) - Where We Are Show submenu for Where We Are - [Denver](https://www.tulabalanced.com/how-it-works) - [Boulder](https://www.tulabalanced.com/how-it-works) - [Austin](https://www.tulabalanced.com/how-it-works) - [Waitlist](https://www.tulabalanced.com/how-it-works-waitlist) - [Blog](https://www.tulabalanced.com/blog) - [Gift Cards](https://giftup.app/place-order/90bc264e-04c3-4864-95d4-07e279e03bf0?platform=hosted) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://www.tulabalanced.com) - [About TULA](https://www.tulabalanced.com/about-0-0) - [How it Works](https://www.tulabalanced.com/how-it-works) - Where We Are Show submenu for Where We Are - [Denver](https://www.tulabalanced.com/how-it-works) - [Boulder](https://www.tulabalanced.com/how-it-works) - [Austin](https://www.tulabalanced.com/how-it-works) - [Waitlist](https://www.tulabalanced.com/how-it-works-waitlist) - [Blog](https://www.tulabalanced.com/blog) - [Gift Cards](https://giftup.app/place-order/90bc264e-04c3-4864-95d4-07e279e03bf0?platform=hosted) ![Kid-Friendly Summer Activities](https://www.tulabalanced.com/hubfs/summer%20blog.jpg) # Kid-Friendly Summer Activities [**‍**](https://www.lizzielocker.com/)**20 Affordable, Kid-Friendly Summer Activities**  Ah, summer break! The possibilities are endless: sleeping in, backyard BBQ’s, and content kiddos playing the days away. The reality, though, is often a bit more challenging. My kids typically make it about *one* day before proclaiming, “I’m bored.”  So, what to do? Check out these inexpensive – or free! – ideas to keep everyone entertained this summer:  **FOR THE ADVENTURER**  - **Try your hand at geocaching:** Who doesn’t love a treasure hunt? To get started geocaching, download [the free app](https://www.geocaching.com/play) and go! You’ll use GPS coordinates to find hidden containers, with any number of surprises inside. Learn more about the process [here](https://www.geocaching.com/guide/). - **Go camping—at home:** Heading off on a camping trip is an amazing activity for kids, but not everyone has the gear – or the time. [Backyard camping](https://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/g27274046/backyard-tent-camping/) can be a great alternative. Set up a tent or sleep under the stars, roast some s’mores in a fire pit (and if you don’t have one – use the grill), and swap ghost stories once the sun goes down. Bonus: if the kids lose patience, you’re steps away from a real bed! - **Cool off:** Ditch the neighborhood pool for a day, and try out a new water sport! Consider [a float trip](https://www.travelchannel.com/interests/outdoors-and-adventure/photos/lazy-rivers-to-float-this-summer), white water rafting, canoeing, or stand-up paddle boarding. Or, plan a “beach day” – pack a picnic, and head to a local lake or river. - **Stamp your (National Parks) Passport:** Purchase a passport booklet through the [Passport To Your National Parks](https://americasnationalparks.org/passport-to-your-national-parks/)® program, and gift your children a keepsake they can contribute to for years. Then head to your state’s National Park to secure that first stamp! **FOR THE BUDDING FOODIE**  - **Browse the Farmer’s Market:** Farmers’ markets are a perfect place to spend a weekend morning. Pick out some produce and sweet treats, enjoy a sample or two, and grab some lunch at a food truck. [Here’s](https://www.ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/farmersmarkets) a list of markets to get you started.  Tie this into an add-on activity and prep a recipe from all the tasty market finds! - **Bake up a Masterpiece:** Use those berries from the market to whip up a cobbler or crisp! Or, set up a [cupcake](https://www.thelittlekitchen.net/cupcake-decorating-party/) or cookie decorating station. Your kitchen helpers can also assist with dishes, so don’t be afraid to make a mess! - **Grow Your Own:** Maintaining a small garden means homegrown produce + a great learning opportunity! Start with simple, hardy plants like tomatoes, pumpkins or herbs. Then put your kids in charge: they can plant, water and weed all the way through harvest. - **Join the Club:** For a reasonable investment, the [America’s Test Kitchen Young Chefs’ Club](https://www.americastestkitchen.com/kids/grownups) is an amazing program for the aspiring chef in your home. **FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAM**  - **Build a time capsule:** Grab a shoebox or plastic bin, and have your kids create [a collection](https://www.joincake.com/blog/time-capsule-ideas/) for their future selves. A “letter to me” is a great inclusion. Then tape up the box and label it with an open date – try to wait at least 10 years! - **Plan a family movie night:** Have everyone vote on a flick, then make it an event. Pop some popcorn, set up an ice cream sundae bar, and bring out blankets and pillows for a comfy night in. - **Go Retro**: In the heat of summer, bowling alleys and skating rinks are a perfect escape. Head to either for air-conditioned exercise, nostalgic snacks, and a few hours of family fun. - **Host a chalk art festival**: Pick a sunny summer morning, and challenge your neighbors to create driveway masterpieces. Set a time frame, and find a few judges as well. Afterward, walk the block and enjoy! Here are some tips to [get planning.](https://letslassothemoon.com/chalk-art-festival/) - **Head to the Fair:** County or state fairs are inexpensive and endlessly entertaining for kids. Think: amusement park rides, animals of all kinds, decadent treats, games, and more! - **Pack a picnic:** Picnics are an oldie but goodie. Grab fried chicken and sides from the store, pack up games, and head to the park. Scan local listings for free outdoor concerts – many areas offer them in the summer. **FOR KEEPING SHARP** - **Foster the love of reading:** Join a summer reading challenge, like this one from [Barnes & Noble](https://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/our-stores-communities/summer-reading-program/) (earn free books!) or this option from [Scholastic](https://www.scholastic.com/site/summer/home.html). Many local libraries have challenges as well. - **Learn a new language**: Get a jumpstart on the school year and have some fun with [Duolingo](https://www.duolingo.com/) – a free, interactive app that teaches language from beginner to advanced. - **For the future day trader**: Check out TD bank’s virtual stock market [program](https://virtualstockmarket.tdbank.com/), which allows children to fund a portfolio using virtual cash. - **For the future chemist**: Try a [DIY science experiment](https://www.weareteachers.com/easy-science-experiments/), or check out any number of [kits](http://www.theyoungscientistsclub.com/themagicschoolbus/) that can be delivered to your door. **FOR THE PARENTS** - **Form a baby-sitting co-op**: Babysitters are saviors, but they also come at a cost. One solution is to form a co-op with friends or neighbors. Most systems use tokens or points to track hours, like [this one](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-form-community-babysitting-co-op.html). Save yours up for a big night out – or even an overnight trip! **‍** - **Check out TULA**: Reading this list and thinking – *cool, but we don’t have time*?! [TULA](https://www.tulabalanced.com/) can help! Pass off your to-do list to your very own, on-demand personal assistant…and free up some hours for summer fun! 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