10 inexpensive activities to do with kids over the summer

With the cost of living only getting higher, most people are looking to reduce expenses in any way that they can. Perhaps sending your kids to a summer camp isn't in your expenses this year. Especially if you stay at home, or even work from home. If you have your kids home with you, it can be boring for them. But it doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg. There are some inexpensive ways to keep your kids busy.

Look for free family events

If you aren't following groups for your area, then you need to. Follow mom groups, or even just event groups specially for your area. That is where I have been finding free, or even cheap, events in my area. Most of the time these things have free things for kids to do. So you can do a lot that doesn't cost you anything. And can occupy a fair amount of your day.

Have a day at the park

Finding a big, great park in your area, can really help you a lot. Take some snacks and drinks, and your kids can spend hours there. Especially if they make a new friend, or invite one of their friends to join.

Do a nature scavenger hunt

Make a list of things that you see in nature. Things like a purple flower, or red bird. Then either go for a walk with your kids, or just take them into your backyard. And have them find those things in nature. It's a great way to get them outside, and keep them engaged.

Keep their minds working

They might be out of school, but you still want them to use their minds. Extra points if you can get it off of any technology, like a tablet. So make worksheets or work books that they can do during the summer. Make it fun and something that they enjoy.

The dollar store is a great way to find workbooks for younger kids, and will only cost you a few bucks. Find something that they enjoy, so they actually want to do it. Maybe they enjoy space, and you find some books where they can learn about space.

Get them a puzzle to complete

A puzzle is a great way to take up a lot of time. And is great for their mind. If they are young, make sure that you get them one that is age appropriate. It can really help younger kids.

Make a summer bucket list

Make a summer bucket list with your kids of things they want to do during the summer. Things like do sidewalk chalk, or go swimming. Get them involved in what they want to do. You can put a lot of things on the list that are inexpensive.

Make a summer movie list

Some areas can get really hot in the summer. So make a movie bucket list of all the movies that would like to watch. I made a Disney movie bucket list of all the classic Disney movies to watch with my daughter over the summer. It's a great activity to do inside for the really hot and humid days. Getting them involved means that they will be more likely to actually want to watch the movies with you.

Make a summer reading list

Reading is still the best way to get our children to learn. Make a summer reading list of books they want to read over the summer. Some libraries will have a summer reading list you can do. Even some book stores have them, and when you read those books, then you get a free book.

Get them to learn a skill

Use the time they have off to teach them a new skill. You can use technology to teach them, like learning piano on the simply piano app. Or maybe it's a skill you can teach them. Like, if you like to cook, then teach them to cook. It will be something that they will enjoy, help their minds, and something the family can do together.

Get inexpensive activities from the dollar store

Kids don't usually care about brands, especially young kids. Don't knock the dollar store for inexpensive outdoor activities. Things like sidewalk chalk, water guns and water balloons. Take your kids and get them to pick 5 things that they can do outside. Again, this keeps them engaged so they actually want to do it.

It can be rough over the summer. However, there are a lot of things that you can do to keep your kids busy. And it doesn't have to cost you a lot of money. I like to alternate activities so that we are only going somewhere every other day, not every day. It spaces out our kids out, so she is less likely to be bored.

These are just some of the ways that I keep my daughter busy so that it doesn't cost me a lot of money. What are your ways?

-T