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Cheap Kids Entertainment
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items Summer might almost be over, but those kids are never entertained for long. And life is expensive. Check out this list of super fun, inexpensive activities and ideas to keep them busy and hopefully, worn out too!
Sections
4
Indoor Activities
Outdoor Activities
>$50 Activities/Ideas
<$50
Indoor Activities
You can paint, draw, color, and more and use these cubes to create different activities. Put Velcro dots on them and use for games like connect four, tic tac toe, hangman, counting games, etc. Use old game board pieces for your kids to have their own...
DIY Wooden Cubes 1/2-inch, Pack of 250
These are things are like the duct tape of motherhood! I’ve used them for several craft projects, kids activities, small objects that get lost in active places (like a TV or fan remote), to keep track of chores, and more.
Velcro Dots
Do yourself a favor and search “quick, free ways to entertain kids with construction paper” and have at it. Take an idea and make it your own. Do things like making a countdown paper chain, egg dropping contests, bedroom door signs, who can cut out t...
Construction Paper
The days can get super hot, super fast. Grab your water bottle and stay hydrated!
Kids Water Bottles – Thermos Brand
I buy these bad boys in bulk. We have turned them into wall posters, signage for different things, and other typical poster board crafts. But we’ve also turned them into things like a model rocket, a piñata, a puppet stand, and a jet pack.
Poster Board
You can search for coloring pages or even make your own, use the markers to make new things, or as building blocks even. But you can never have too many markers!
Coloring Markers
I like to have these on hand for easy craft project clean up, slime experiments gone wrong, or pinned to the garage door/fence for some fun art that feels a little rebellious but is still allowed.
downluxe PEVA Plastic Shower Curtain Liner
If you’ve got a budding Picasso but don’t want to spend a ton of money on the fancier brushes, cheap ones are just fine for right now. Even Picasso used his fingers to paint at one time.
Paint Brushes For Kids
Have you ever looked up ideas on how to use a paper plate to entertain your kid? Because if you haven’t, you’re missing out. Trust me, there’s an idea for everyone!
Paper Plates
Grab these with your paper plates and use for fun experiments or crafts
Shop Coffee Filters at Melitta® | Cone, Basket, Keurig-Style
Grab some rope, clothes pins, and old sheets to create a blanket fort at home. Let the kids help so they can make it their own! Maybe even do a camping themed dinner with everyone and watch a movie in the blanket fort.
Rope.com — Buy Rope Online | 500+ Products, Free Shipping Over ...
Keep up with the daily housework, instill good habits, and maybe even help them earn some extra money by keeping track of chores.
Free customizable chore chart templates to print
Great as reward box items, quick “keep their hands busy” purse grab, or just to start their own demolition derby business plan. Use these with the chalk to create your own fun racetracks!
Hot Wheels Cars & Track sets | Mattel Shop
Did somebody say at home movie night?! Because count me in! Use this throughout the week to really hype it up. They can earn money to buy their own movie snacks (like fruit snacks or a special ice cream from home), drinks, popcorn and more. Bring the...
The Popcorn Factory
These things are the BEST!! I have one that I keep the snacks in for outings so they won’t get crushed, one as our “boredom box,” one for each kiddos “oh no” accident at the zoo or grocery store. I’ve even turned them into mom-to-be gifts to keep in ...
Clear Hard Shell Zipper Case,3PCS Transparent ...
During the summer, I make my kids write for 10 min each day (at least when I remember) about what we did that day. They can write and add their own doodles. Just color. Make their own games. Turn it into a mini story. Whatever their hearts can imagin...
Spiral Notebooks / Notebooks & Writing Pads
Someone gave this to me as a gift years ago and I only recently started using it. But it’s only used when we cook something new and the kids are involved. We add our thoughts and sometimes a photo when we’re done!
Small Blank Recipe Book for Your Recipes
Outdoor Activities
Great for kids and dogs 😅 turn it into a game and play bubble tag, biggest bubble challenge, smallest bubble, only use your hands to blow bubbles, what objects can you find that might work to blow bubbles, bubble dance party. Keep them entertained a...
Bubbles for Kids : Target
When you’re done with the bubbles, clean off with a fun water fight! Add old socks (can be used to hold and throw water), random cups, old ball pit balls, and even random utensils into the mix for added fun.
Water Guns and Soakers in Outdoor Toys
Need I say more? Fill a pool. Prank your kids. Drink from it like the good ol’ days. Spray your siblings. Have a blast, minimal effort, and wear those kids out so they crash at the end of the night!
The Everyday Garden Hose (400 Series)
This one is so easy, super cheap, and play opportunities are limitless. Look up easy science experiments you can do, turn it into chalk paint, draw on different sidewalk textures, hopscotch, body outlines, welcome mats at the front door! Make it fun,...
Sidewalk Chalk
Looking for ways to make some extra money or trying to teach the kiddos about the value of a dollar, try a lemonade stand! It’s both fun and educational! And you can use the leftover lemonade for a fun mom/dad only drink when they go to bed 😉
True Lemon® Original Lemonade Drink Mix
Let them make their blankets, towels, shirts, etc. They’ll feel like little artists, like they’re in charge of something, and have fun making a mess!
Tie Dye Kits - Grateful Dyes
Make sure to have plenty of these for things like your blanket fort, fun craft ideas, and to showcase all of their amazing artwork.
100pcs 3inch Heavy Duty Wooden Clothespins
I like to use these for all the fun science experiments, to make food like “Hulk’s green pancakes,” and more.
Food Coloring Set - 12 Vibrant Food Grade
>$50 Activities/Ideas
You can find these for under $50 when you shop around, but they’re so useful and fun to have! We’ve used ours to watch movies outside, to outline things to color/cut, or just to scroll through funny videos online with the entire family.
projector
Use for crafting, holidays, or even a fun in-home date night when the kids go to bed.
Acrylic Paint
<$50
These printers are absolutely amazing and are great at keeping up with the demands of a busy household! From book reports, college papers, permission slips, coloring pages, and more. This is your go-to, long lasting printer for home!
Printers | Shop for your Epson Printer Today
Don’t forget extra ink for all the fun you’re going to be printing off!
EcoTank Supertank Refillable Ink Tank Printers | Epson US
Ever given a child a disposable camera and let them run wild? Because I have and the pictures did not disappoint. Give this to them for a special outing, just because, or create a scavenger hunt for them to photograph. Either way, they’ll love it!
Disposable Camera