Entertaining Your Kids These Last Weeks of Summer on a Budget

As the last few weeks of summer come to an end, make sure your kids enjoy their days just as much as they did the fun days of summer’s beginning. As a new school year approaches, many children get antsy and fearful of the new start. Providing them with entertaining fun minimizes their fears and helps ease them back into a great new school year. 

There are still many fun, simple, and affordable ways to entertain the kids before school starts back in session. Check out some of these cool ideas and let the fun continue in your home. 

Picnic Time 

In the past, a picnic was a valued event to look forward to. Bring back that favorite relaxing activity and host your own picnic with the family. Hold the picnic at the beach or the local park. Bring Fido, a Frisbee, and fun games and activities, and enjoy a day in the sun that keeps the kids active and the memories alive. 

Crafts 

Kids of all ages enjoy making crafts, as long as you pique their interests. Smaller children can work with glue, straws, and other items; older children can work well with fleece fabric; and pre-teens and teens fare well with 3D creations and crafts. Use the internet to find crafts that are within your kids’ skill level for an inexpensive activity that's great for a rainy day or any day when boredom is rampant. 

Hold a Video Game Tournament 

What kid doesn’t enjoy playing his or her video game? If you want to keep things interesting, set up a tournament with your children and their friends. Pick a nice prize for the winner after determining the rules, rounds, and regulations (and of course, the game) for the tournament. Kids will absolutely go wild about this idea. You can even set up a simple tournament where your children play solitaire--an easy interactive game that will exercise their brains.

Go Camping 

A tent and sleeping bag are the only items that you’ll need to go camping. If you cannot get out in the woods, your backyard will work just fine. Tell ghost stories, make s’mores, and most importantly, laugh and smile together. This is an adventure the kids will never forget. 

Computer Lessons 

Kids enjoy playing on the computer. Little do they know how much valuable information they’re gaining. Turn the summertime into education time and hold computer classes for your little ones (and maybe even a few of their friends). You won’t hear any complaints when computer classes are a part of the fun. Best of all, you won’t need to spend any money to teach the kids computer skills. 

Board Games 

Board games are still sold at toy stores and retail locations. Purchase a favorite and bring back another tradition in your family. Board games are inexpensive and provide endless hours and days of fun for all. Consider purchasing more than one board game to keep the fun alive! 

Hold a Treasure Hunt 

Whether you hold it in the backyard or at the local park, a treasure hunt is a fun way to keep the kids’ brains sharp during the summer while also providing them with entertainment. Choose a theme the kids like and make it fun. Leave clues along the way (appropriate for your child’s age, of course) and let the pirating fun begin! 

Final Thoughts 

Summer may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop for your family. The budget-friendly ideas above are sure of the many low-cost ways to keep the kids entertained and enjoying their time before their return to school. Now is the time to let the good times roll!