How To Keep Kids Busy During Summer Break – Even On A Budget
Summer break is upon us, which only means one thing: The kids will be at home and, if not otherwise occupied, taking their energy out on everything around them.
Let’s be honest: as much as we’d all love to whisk our families away on a lavish summer vacation, it’s challenging to keep kids busy during summer with fun activities, especially for working moms.
So, if you’re scrambling to find ways to keep your kids entertained while still keeping your work life and your budget intact, you’re not alone.
Most importantly, you don’t have to settle for relying on screentime to keep the kids busy during those long summer days. With just a little bit of research and planning in advance, you can keep your family (and yourself) happy with kids’ summer activities for every budget and lifestyle.
And if you want to ensure your summer goes smoothly, don’t forget to grab your FREE guide on How to Plan a Stress-Free Week without Burnout, your roadmap to creating a peaceful and productive week—perfectly crafted for busy, working moms like you!
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Last summer, I found myself scrambling to find ways to keep my two energetic kids entertained without breaking the bank or relying too much on screens. One of our favorite budget-friendly activities turned out to be a simple backyard camping adventure.
I borrowed a tent from a friend, gathered some cozy blankets and pillows, and set up a “campsite” in our backyard. The kids were so excited! We spent the afternoon setting up the tent together, then enjoyed an evening of stargazing, telling stories, and roasting marshmallows over a small portable fire pit.
Not only did this activity keep them entertained for hours, but it also gave us a chance to bond- without spending a dime. It was a perfect reminder that sometimes the best activities are the simplest ones.
Recommended post: 23 Engaging Backyard Activities for Kids: Outdoor Fun and Learning
How to Keep Kids Busy During Summer
Below are some considerations and ideas to take the burden off yourself and keep your kids busy and entertained all summer long.
Explore Affordable Childcare
Childcare is, without a doubt, one of the most costly expenses for working parents. As schools take a break for the summer, many families are left scrambling to find affordable childcare during working hours, particularly in households where both parents work full-time.
We’ve been there, and we get it. Although finding childcare isn’t always easy, it can offer a nice break for kids who are used to being in a structured, engaging environment during the day. If you’re looking for ways to save money on the cost, here are a few solutions you can explore:
1. Look for Part-Time Childcare
Many high-quality childcare facilities offer part-time options for parents who could just use an extra hand during the week at a reduced cost. During summer break, these days are often filled with tons of educational kids’ summer activities, enrichment, and the chance to make new friends.
Planning ahead can make a big difference when it comes to affording summer childcare. You can start by setting aside a small amount of money each month specifically for summer childcare expenses. By the time summer arrives, you’ll have a dedicated pot of money to help cover costs without putting a strain on your finances.
For tips on finding the right childcare for you, check out What to Look for in a Daycare- 17 Important Factors.
2. Enroll in Community Programs
That being said, childcare is simply not in everyone’s summer budget, and that’s okay! Many community centers and local churches offer childcare services at an extremely low or even zero cost. Do some research into local programs that align with your family’s needs, and you might be surprised by the number of options available.
Some examples:
- Boys and Girls Clubs of America
- YMCA
- Head Start programs
- Local school districts
- Public libraries
- Community centers
3. Find Local Summer Camps
If you’re looking for summer camp options closer to home, you’ll find countless options for every age range and, more importantly, interest.
Whether you have an older kid looking to enhance their soccer skills during the summer break or a little one just starting to explore their love of music, summer camps are one of the best ways to help your kids discover new things in a safe, nurturing environment. For example, my daughter’s gymnastics studio offers special clinics and camps during the summer break and is a great option when my daughter wants to develop her skills a bit further.
It’s generally a good idea to find local camps that run on similar schedules to yours, which will make it easier to coordinate your drop-off and pick-up plans. That means less time stuck in the house and more moments of, “Mom, guess what we did today!”
4. Enlist Help From Family, Friends (And Beyond)
If you’ve already looked into childcare or summer camps in your area and still haven’t found anything that works for your family, don’t panic.
Summer break is one of the best times to connect with friends and family members who may not spend as much time with your kids during the school year. Simply put, there’s no shame in asking for some extra help during the summer months. From grandparents to aunts, uncles, and cousins, make your summer break an opportunity to enlist fun from the entire family.
Last summer, I took the opportunity to ask both grandmas if they would each be willing to watch our children one day a week during the summer. It worked out perfect because for two days a week we had guaranteed childcare with family and the grandmas enjoyed planning fun summer activities with their grandchildren.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: What if I don’t have a support system where I live?
Navigating life as a working parent without nearby relatives is no small task. Thankfully, you’ll find that friends with children of their own are often more than happy to lend a helping hand.
For instance, if your kids already have close friends who live nearby, don’t be afraid to become friendly with their parents and coordinate playdates. After all, it does take a village, and forming an alliance amongst fellow overwhelmed parents might just be the break you’ve all been looking for.
Create DIY At-Home Activities
So, you’ve already taken advantage of multiple summer camps, and coordinated playdates, and now your kids are back at home ready to be entertained. Now, what?
Instead of relying on screen time to keep kids busy during the day, try your hand at DIY summer activities, like creating your own at-home scavenger hunt.
The best part?
You don’t even have to be the “crafty” type to turn your home into an interactive adventure. Pinterest, TikTok, and even YouTube are overflowing with at-home DIY ideas to keep your kids busy for hours or even days at a time.
You set the rules and let their imagination do the rest!
Here are some easy low-cost activities to keep your kids entertained:
1. Bake Tasty Treats
With simple ingredients and easy recipes, you can turn your kitchen into a fun and educational space where children can unleash their creativity. For some inspiration, check out this excellent post from Sally’s Baking Recipes on kid-friendly baking recipes!
2. Start a Book Club
Start a book club with your child and incorporate rewards, like scratch-and-sniff bookmarks or book-themed tattoos, to make it fun! This will not only stimulate their imagination but also improve their literacy skills. And with a library card, they’ll have access to a ton of books and stories at no cost!
3. Explore with Science Experiments
Doing science experiments is an exciting and affordable summer activity that will keep your kids’ creative juices flowing. You can use everyday household items for many experiments, including homemade volcanoes, making it a cost-effective way to introduce children to the wonders of science. There are also subscription science kits you can have delivered to your door with ready-made, screen free activities centering around different themes.
4. Set up Indoor Games
With a bit of creativity, you can transform your living room into a playground for various games like scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, or board game tournaments. Using household items and a bit of imagination, you can create engaging and interactive experiences that promote teamwork, problem-solving, and physical activity. Here’s a fun post listing some excellent ideas for indoor games.
There are also some ready-made Amazon games you can buy. Some of my favorites include this Family Scavenger Hunt game and this Ninja-warrior type obstacle course, complete with ropes, swings, and monkey bars.
Recommended post: 20 Brilliant Kids Playroom Organization Ideas
Take The Office Outside
Working from home doesn’t always have to mean staying chained to your desk all day. If you’re lucky enough to work remotely during the summer, don’t hesitate to take the office outside to give your kids and yourself some much-needed fresh air.
Maybe you’ll decide to pack up your laptop for a trip to the local park. Or, maybe you’ll spend your lunch break exploring the beach or a new hiking trail. Even if getting outside just means setting up a play area in your backyard, a little bit of sunshine goes avery long way.
Some easy, low-cost ideas to get you started:
- Set up a DIY water park in your own backyard with sprinklers and slides. I installed this one for my kids and they can’t get enough!;
- Go on a nature walk and engage in some bird-watching;
- Organize family bike rides and a family soccer game;
- Have fun gardening some fruits and veggies in the yard.
For some more fun outdoor activity ideas, check out 23 Engaging Backyard Activities for Kids: Outdoor Fun and Learning.
Cash In On Your PTO
Of course, entertaining your kids during summer break is a mission that does not last forever. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the stress of keeping everyone fed, happy, and not-bored all summer long.
That’s why these months are the perfect time to cash in on any paid time off you’ve been saving so you and your kids can focus on our favorite summer activity of all: Making memories.
My husband and I typically have summer Fridays where we end work early afternoon, and kick off our weekends with our kids doing something fun. We enjoy heading to the beach, swimming in the neighborhood pool, or enjoying dinner at a lovely outdoor restaurant.
Whether you can take off a week or just an afternoon, your kid’s favorite summer break adventures are the ones they spend with you.
Recommended post: How to Take a Mom Vacation (And Not Feel Guilty!)
Conclusion
If there’s one thing you can trust about summer break, it’s that it does go by fast. But you can plan your summer break without breaking the bank. Do your homework and find local summer camps, or create your own at-home activities! There’s no shortage of ways to keep your kids entertained while still keeping your wallet happy.
Hi I’m Yesenia,
a working mom of two kids. I’ve experienced all of the beautiful and crazy moments of early parenthood: breastfeeding, picky eaters, toilet training, balancing work with kids, and the list continues!
I created Hard Knock Mama to help working moms navigate through their child’s early years and find a successful balance in their home, work, and life.
