If you’re looking for easy, low cost activities for kids – we have a list of over 100 fun activities for kids for you! This list ranges from simple activities to fun crafts that can keep kids busy anytime of the year.
A few will require planning ahead of time, but most of these activities involve items you probably already have at home and are tech free activities. So get your kids off their screens and ready to play.
Tech Free Activities for Kids
Disclaimer: We are Amazon associates which means we earn a commission if you purchase through our Amazon links. At no extra cost to you. Our commission is super tiny, so buy local if you can, but if you can’t we appreciate the pennies.
Outdoor Activities for Kids
Sometimes you just need to get outside and play. Check out this list of over 40+ outdoor activities you can do with your family.
- Plant a garden
- Collect wildflowers
- Build a fort
- Water balloon pinatas
- Fly a kite
- Hiking – Spend the day outdoors by hiking a local trail, and go hammocking.
- Nature scavenger hunt
- Nature walk
- Fishing
- Dog Walking
- Lie on your back and stargaze – You could go one of two ways with this. If you make it an event, your kids will buy into the excitement. Bring out blankets/sleeping bags, pillows, and stuffed animals. Or get them out of bed (not too long after they go, so they aren’t sleepy) and lead them out to a magical space in your backyard.
- Play Croquet – If you need to purchase a croquet set, here you go.
- Go stargazing
- Read outdoors
- Dance in the rain
- Egg hunt
- Beach day
- Make a homemade slip ‘n slide – The first step is find a slope in the yard. The momentum of running and flinging your body on the ground will definitely create a big splash.
- Make a bird feeder
- Play Pooh sticks
- Bug Hunting
- Catch Butterflies
- Create sidewalk art with chalk
- Blow bubbles
- Pool Noodle Activities – create fun water activities with pool noodles. This site has plenty of fun ideas.
- Play Frisbee
- Play a sport outside
- Picnic in the park
- Backyard picnic
- Go for a bike ride
- Smash water balloon pinatas
- Have a backyard camping trip
- Train for a race
- Jump on the trampoline
- Play hopscotch
- Go swimming
- Make an obstacle course in the backyard
- Create an obstacle course on your driveway – don’t forget the rainbow chalk! While you’ve got the chalk out, decorate the pavement and leave messages for the neighbors.
- Climb a tree
- Have a bonfire – and don’t forget s’mores!
- Get creative with crafts outdoors – Beads and yarn, seashells and sand, jars and paint. Use what you’ve got around the house or yard and create a nature collage.
Indoor Activities for Kids
Sometimes it is just too hot or cold to be outside. In those moments I like to take out this list.
- Painting with flowers
- Decorate the house for the next holiday
- Make a wind chime
- Play hide-n-go seek
- Make flower crowns
- Make Toilet Paper Roll Bunnies
- Create a sensory bin
- Fairy Garden – My daughter loves fairy gardens. And this is the year for one. I have a space and I have the time. Now, I need to make it. Does a fairy garden sound like a perfect summer activity this year? You can get a prepacked set here.
- Make lemonade
- Have a dance party
- Make Playdoh
- Color – check out our fun coloring pages
- Paper airplane races
- Drive in Movie – get out those laundry baskets to make your own car, pop some yummy popcorn or eat treats for a drive in movie at home.
- Play horses and let them ride you
- Play their favorite board games
- Read a book
- Watch a movie – read the book, then watch the movie
- Movie Night with popcorn
- Read alouds
- Bake cookies for neighbors or first responders
- Bake cinnamon rolls
- Have a Fiesta
- Tie Dye shirts, socks, or any other clothing around the house
- Make paper chains to decorate your house or child’s room
- Take a family portrait
- Indoor picnic
- Do a puzzle
- Shadow puppets
- Skype with long distance family/friends
- Paint by numbers
- Try a new hobby
- Spa day
- Online Art Class
- Make Snickerdoodles
- Family sleepover in the living room
- Balloon volleyball
- Create new Lego figures
- Play dolls or Barbies
- Make sock puppets and put on a play
- Paint by numbers
- Draw a treasure map and go for an indoor treasure hunt
- Play with Lego
- Make with still images
- Learn a new language
- Start a new tradition
- Build a blanket fort
- Color in boxes
- Make a box car and have a drive in movie
- Make crafts together
- Play I Spy
- Play Simon Says
- Play Board Games
- Play Hide and Seek
- Have an indoor scavenger hunt
- Play Bingo
- Play Card Games
- Do a Puzzle
- Play Charades
- Build Your Own Game
- Play Freeze Dance
- Play Hot Potato
- Play Marbles
- Play Keep the Balloon Up
- Play Dominoes
- Play Hangman
- Play Tic-Tac-Toe
Places to Go in San Antonio or Your Local Town
You can play tourist in your own city. If you’re local to San Antonio here are a list of fun activities for kids you can do. If not, you can see if your area has something similar.
- Visit a Farmer’s Market
- Read books at the Public Library
- Pick berries at your local farm
- Play tourist in your own town
- Check out your local Museum
- Science Center
- Play at a Splash Pad
- Humane Society / SPCA to volunteer
- Volunteer at the Food Bank
- A friend’s house
- Grandparents’ house
- Playground
- A book store
- To the movies
- To a play
- Donate old toys or books
- Bowling
- Take a class
- Feed the ducks at the park
- Summer mini golf is a classic choice. Check out Cool Crest here in San Antonio.
For more easy craft ideas check out these other posts.
