Are you looking for activity ideas for your kids to keep them entertained and without costing you much? This list of 50 free activities for kids is just the thing you need for inspiration. There is something for every age group, be it babies, toddlers or older kids. Some of the activities do require some basic supplies and items which you most probably have as a mom at home. Or you can simply just use anything you have on hand. What is important is that these activities are fun, inexpensive, and enriching for the kids and can be done at any time of the year.
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50 Free Activities for Kids
Free Indoor Activities for Kids
- Play dress-up, pretend play or make-believe games (Tea Party, Cooking, Cleaning, Restaurant, Teaching, Grocery Shopping, Bring soft toys for an outing, etc.)
- Play hide and seek
- Count and learn time with a clock
- Make a fort out of blankets and chairs
- Create a sensory bin or explore sensory activities (Smelling flowers, feeling different textures, tasting foods they normally would not eat, etc.)
- Have an indoor picnic
- Drawing and painting
- Make a crafts kit for your kids to do arts and craft
- Give waterproof toys a bath
- Do baking (Cupcakes, Muffins, Brownies, Cookies, Granola bars, etc.)
- Make homemade play dough and play with it!
- Make some homemade popsicles from scratch using simple ingredients like water, juice, yogurt and fruit puree
- Have a family movie night with your favourite childhood film or watch a new family-friendly movie
- Cook a new recipe together as a family. Let your kids pick the one they want to try
- Share stories, poems and songs
- Ask your child some questions and let them come up with the answers
- Make a list of things you’re grateful for and let your child come up with one thing they’re grateful for
- Play a round of your favorite card game, dice game or board game
- Build something together
- Make a family photo album or scrapbook
- Do a puzzle
- Create and do an obstacle course
- Put on a show (Singing, Acting, Puppets, Magic, etc.)
- Make easy DIY science experiments
- Play charades
Free Outdoor Activities for Kids
- Play at the neighbourhood playground
- Visit the local parks
- Go on a walk and explore your neighbourhood
- Visit the public library and borrow books to read
- Play on the swing set
- Do gardening
- Play catch
- Play in a sprinkler
- Go for a bike or scooter ride (make sure your kids wear helmets!)
- Start a nature journal by going on nature walks and look for animals and plants to jot down
- Go on a hike and make a map of the route your family took
- Go on a scavenger hunt and make up a story about each item found. Make it a competition to see who can find the most things on the list
- Build a sand castle at the beach or in the backyard sandbox (using small shovels)
- Visit a museum
- Play jumping activities (hopscotch, jump rope, hula hoop jump game etc.)
- Go swimming
- Play with bubbles or water balloons
- Make a list of the things you see on the way to somewhere
- Practice a sport
- Exercise together as a family
- Make your own kite and fly it outside
- Go stargazing or cloud gazing
- Go on a road trip or camping trip
- Take photos of nature, buildings, food etc. using an old camera and practice honing photography skills
- Go bird watching
Be sure to check out my blog post on the 10 tips to increase your child’s self-esteem to help build their confidence.
