Table of Contents
Best ‘at Home’ Kids Activities on a Budget
This post contains affiliate links.
I’ll be sharing our best and most favorite kids activities!
What are fun Kids Activities at home while staying on a budget?
What can kids do for fun ‘at home’?
What are some at home activities for kids on a budget?
These are all questions many parents ask themselves often and cannot seem to rule it down, but don’t worry, I’m here to help!
Note: If you are here for the 300 Printables, Busy Books and more, some of the printables are at the very bottom of this post or you can access most of the printables here!
Easy Water Play Activity for Kids:
What are cheap fun things to do with kids at home?
If you are looking for kids activities on a budget, here are over 40 ideas you can try at home right now (depending on your child’s age):
Create a sensory bin (water beads, dyed spaghetti..)
Plant and Grow a small garden
Dance to some cool tunes
Water fun in a wading pool
Build a fort/tent with sheets
Stage a fun creative play
Play board games
Cook a delicious meal together
Create a movie for memories
Learn about birds outside
Collect bugs and set them free
Walk around the neighborhood
Have a scavenger hunt
Draw together
Create a play house with cardboard
Decorate windows
Sensory Play with foam, paint, shaving cream…
Paint on a canvas
Create a science experiment (STEM)
Bake something sweet like cookies
Go on a picnic in the backyard
Fly a kite
Create an obstacle course indoors
Indoor Tea Party fun
Play fun games such as Hide and Seek together
Building castles with ice cubes
Teach your kids how to tell time
Teach your kids how to count coins
Learning through play
Create an indoor obstacle course
Play outside for over an hour (depending on the weather)
Shaving Cream Sensory Play
Construction site Sensory bin
Use dot stickers for play
Water Play in a bin with cups
Bike around the neighborhood
Learn how to skate with roller blades
Cook a meal from another country with your kids
Learn a different language by watching on Youtube
Create instruments with items you have at home
Clear up common misconceptions.
Listen to audiobooks, podcasts, childrenโs music from an app
Play with sponges and use water or paint with them
Look through picture albums together or baby images/videos
Call a loved one who may live far away
Set up an invitation to play with water, cups and scoopers
Easy Homemade Ice Painting Kids Activity:
Note: Looking for more simple indoor activities? Here are 6 additional indoor activities for kids that are simple and easy to setup!
Easy Color Mixing Mess Free Painting
Why do kids get bored?
According to Heidi McBain, a play therapist, boredom is essential for children as this leads to increased creativity.
“When a child feels bored, they are re-learning that they have to create something to entertain themselves.”
They learn to explore their world and come up with their own creative ideas and ways of play. This is brilliant!
Here is my personal story.
I am a mother to a 3 and 5 year old.
At these ages they are all about creativity in my humble opinion.
I don’t ever see them get bored as itโs so easy to come up with a simple game that will keep them entertained.
But, what about when they get older?
I have a strong feeling that if I approach them with these simple activities I am going to mention, they’ll hold those creative juices tight and learn to use them when needed!
For example, introducing them to ‘open-ended play’ is wonderful!
These simple kids activities on a budget are one of our favorites when we are looking for something fun and simple to incorporate in your day to day play centers, homeschooling or just for fun!
How to Make Moon Dough at Home
What is open ended play?
Open ended play allows children to express themselves freely with no limits. Some examples of open ended play are:
loose parts to create all sorts of things
blocks to create a castle, tower or an elevator
molding clay to come up with all sorts of imaginative play ideas
These are play ideas which allow for imaginative play and in turn power up those neurons to create something new.
Note: For more on open ended play and the benefits of open ended play, check out these open ended toys for toddlers.
Here are some open ended play ideas we have tried over the years.
And, some of these are perfect kids activities on a budget:
Rainbow Rice and Legos
Water Play with cups/spoons/scoopers
Sponge activities
Water play for learning
How to dye beans for open ended play
Summer Camp sensory bin
Simple Fine Motor Activity
Our Favorite Preschool Learning Folder
Best Tips for Indoor Activities for Kids
Staying home doesn’t have to be boring.
Here are a few lists, set up in different categories, you may be interested in:
Tip 1: Here are over 60 fun things to do at home with your kids
Print out Black and White coloring pages
Create a terranium with dollar store items
Create homemade play dough
Create groovy slime
Using recycled toilet/paper towel tubes for painting or creating things
STEM and STEAM activities with household items
Turn on the cooking channel and create a meal together
Pull out construction paper and create something fun
Make a delicious healthy smoothie together
Paint your nails together. I like these non toxic ones ” “
Read a few books together
Watch the discovery channel and learn about animals
Mix water and paint to create fluid art
Sponges are awesome in water play
Try some Kids Yoga or kid friendly exercises together on Youtube.
Plant a small garden outside
Download an app that inspires creativity
Create an indoor maze in your home with painters tape
Use painters tape for sensory bags or dot sticker projects
Play sherades
Play card games together
Pull out some board games
Have a race outside in the yard
Cook dyed rainbow pasta
Create a sensory bin (example: dried lentils and some toys) depending on your child’s age.
Tell a story (One example could be a spooky story if its Halloween)
Create a bowling arena with old water bottles and a ball
Wash your toy cars with soap, water, a sponge and a bin
Create a pirate play scavenger hunt
Hopscotch pattern with painters tape (masking tape)
Indoor picnic
Smoothies and movies (add some popcorn in there too)
Marco Polo game (Indoor style)
Indoor Treasure hunt
Making funny finger shapes on the wall in the dark with phone flashlight
Create Paper crafts together
Pick a category they’d like to learn and create their own magazine or book by cutting and gluing
Make a challenge to see how many books they can read within a time frame for prizes
Lego/ Shape mags building race
Trace out toys and create a puzzle
Play dress up
Camping indoors
Racing track indoors with painters tape
Make crafty jewelry
Tye dye white shirts
Dramatic Play Shops
Paint paint and paint some more
Make a pizza together
Easel Paper life size or feet drawing
Create new crayons with molds and broken crayons
Make a themed card or just for fun
Dance until the music stops and play freeze
Build some binoculars with toilet paper rolls
Get crafty with pretzel sticks and marshmallows
Play homemade bingo
Play with balloons and make sure they don’t touch the floor
Create necklaces with beads and thread
Have an indoor pretend play spa day
Paint each others nails for fun
Nature art – Collect outdoor items and make art with it
Play Duck Duck Goose
Create a Dance show in your living room
Use tape on the floor or desk to line toys on
Learn to play the basics of an instrument together
Dance with scarves
Use paper towel rolls for a pom pom drop game
Pretend play with a box
Use blankets to create a fort
Fine Motor Pom Pom Kids Activity
Note: For all things sensory play, the benefits of sensory play and for over 100 sensory play ideas, check it out here. ๐
Toilet Paper Roll Ramp
Tip 2: 60 free things to do with kids in general
Take a trip to the library
Go to an outdoor music event (children friendly)
Go to the beach and collect shells (Perfect for sensory play)
Checkout free events to do in locally online, newspaper, or kids community magazine
Sit and watch a free game going on at your local park
Visit the park and make it fun by including a scavenger hunt
Bake a healthy dish such as banana bread or Zucchini bread
Bake some delicious cookies for your friendly neighbors together
Go through the toy room together and see which toys and books are out
Learn how to knit together
Attend Michaels stores for free kids events
Attend a Barnes and Nobles book store for free reading events
Visit a free museum or a zoo
Call a family member or friend you haven’t spoken to in a while
Learn a different language such as spanish on Youtube
Have a yard sale
Host a party such as a sleepover or a tea party
Learn to meditate when things get tough for your kids
Read a great book together
Learn about the body with science books
Learn about a new animal with a book on all different kinds of animals
Blow some bubbles
Wash the family dog together
Play Frisbee at the park
Discover new music that you and your kids both like
Stargaze at night and see if you can find constellations
Go on a bike ride together
Explore your city via books or by just exploring
Attend a free play such as actors play house
Find a local free kids event with rides and popcorn
Attend your local planetarium
Sponge Paint
Play outdoor games such as soccer
Go on a hike together
Have a picnic at sunset
Attend a local free historical town
Go snorkeling
Have an outdoor party such as a barbeque
Donate old toys to charity
Make hot cocoa or smores together
Play in the rain
Make fruit/veggie popsicles together
Have a water balloon fight
Decorate a pair of old jeans or and old shirt with glue and gems
Get crafty and Finger-paint
Prank call family members with funny voices
Make a cake and decorate it to their liking
Sing while talking together
Tell each other humorous jokes
Play rock paper scissor shoot
Paint each other faces
Play free games online such as ‘Teach your monster how to read’
Teach them to play mind games such as Checkers
Make milkshakes together
Set up a lemonade stand
Build a paper airplane together
Create and tell stories together
Play kickball
Build sand castles at the beach
Have a scavenger hunt at the beach
Tip 3: 30 fun things to do with your kids ‘DIY style’
Create a wreath together out of construction paper
Paint on stones, leave positive messages and leave them places so someone else finds them
Cut a sponge to make a figure and sponge paint
Use ketchup bottles with dyed colored water to melt ice
Create rainbow pasta
Dye white roses different colors
Paint jars and create awesome crafts
Use construction paper to cover a box in and make a crafty toy
Create jewelry rainbow pasta
Make a homemade bird feeder
Decorate a Christmas tree ornament
Make a collage with feathers and buttons
Create animals with balloons
Make a DIY rainbow slime with glitter
Create a craft with paper plates and brown paper bags
Create a nightlight with a jar
Use craft sticks to create a puzzle
Use a muffin tin to create a fizz with baking soda vinegar and water
Build a fort with cardboard
Create a crown with an empty toilet paper roll
Ice sculptures castle
Watercolor paper towels to create butterflies
Sensory lava lamp with a Voss bottle
Play dough and toothpicks to create something spectacular
Use a muffin tin with magnetic letters
Snowball fight with cotton balls
Create Paper Plate fishies
Wrap a toy and create it with gems and a bow
Paint some of your toy figures and revamp them with glitter and gems
Paint on a canvas
2 Ingredient Homemade Playdough Recipe
Note: Looking for art and craft supplies and storage ideas for kids? You’re in luck! Check it out here!
Mega Blok Puzzle Kids Activity
Tip 4: 60 fun ideas when your kids say ‘I’m bored’:
Create a homemade slip n slide with dollar store plastic shower curtains, soap and water hose
Build a homemade bowling alley or golf course with household items such as cups, old plastic bottles…
Create bubble art with dyed water and soap and a cut in half plastic bottle
Indoor or Nature outside scavenger hunt with your childs favorite toys
Chalk it out. Create groovy art with chalk (outdoor play)
Create a map of your backyard and bury your childs favorite toy so he/she finds it
Create a homemade twister with construction paper and tape
Create an obstacle course
Backyard camping
Go to the park. Depending on your park there are so many fun activities you can do there.
Stretch those muscles out and do some exercise movements
Have a race. Use painted orange water bottles as the starting and ending points
Have a bean bag race
Bean bag toss. Create your own bean bags with beans and a ziplock bag
Use pillows to build a fort
Use pillows to see who’s pillows stand up the longest
Play freeze game. Dance, freeze, dance, freeze.
Board Games. There are all types of board games. Here are our favorites so far:
Play dress up with Halloween costumes
Fold clothes together with some music tunes so its fun
Use a bin to create some sort of sensory play
Have a spring cleaning and donate any old toys or clothes
Wash Fruits and Vegetables together with soap and water in a bin
Go to your local kids play center
Take a trip to the dollar store and find some coloring books
If your child loves to read, there are some fun books at the dollar store
Attend your local museum
Attend your local science museum
Attend your local childrens museum
Attend your local monkey jungle or zoo
Go to the beach
Collect sea shells at the beach and listen to them
Take a walk at a local mall
Go to a restaurant and eat something you never try that sounds appealing
Play I-spy something..
Attend your local musical theatre
Attend a local free outdoor music event
Check online for free or budget friendly activities to do with kids near your local area
Go on a hike
Collect some water at your nearest spring (if allowed)
Start a campfire
Make some smores
Build a tent with cardboard box and sticks
Make a pie together
Peel potatoes and make a stew or soup
Take a bike ride outdoors
Learn to skate
Attend your local skating rink
Attend your local ice skating rink
Set out a wading pool outside and enjoy water play
Paint a picture on a canvas
Attend your local Paint me mine class
Attend a free art class at Michaels stores
Try a new restaurant you’ve never been to
Explore a new park you haven’t been to
Go to a butterfly sanctuary
Attend your local nursery sanctuary
Go canoeing and camping
Learn surfing skills together such as how to start a fire or build a trap
Learn how to defend yourself such as taking karate together
Tip 5: Over 40 ideas to do at home with toddlers (3+ and up)
Color Match with Home Depot free sample paint chip supply strips
Fine Motor Skills with Pipe Cleaners and a strainer or a box with holes
Learn numbers and counting with household items
Pretend indoor puddle jumping with blue construction paper
Cup match
Blow up a balloon and make paddles with a craft stick and paper plates
Play with Kinetic Sand and animal toys
Craft stick color match
Taste Safe Homemade Playdough
Tape Path for Toddlers
Sensory Bottles
Color match with rainbow colored cups and pom poms
Rice Sensory Bin
Sensory Hop Skotch
Rainbow Experiment with Skittles
Fishing for Letters
Fill Cookie Cutters with Sensory Play Rice
Funnel Play Sensory Play
Create a Multi Use Activity Board
Letter Magnet Shout
Pom Pom Water Play
Dot Marker Activity
Mixing Colors with water and dyes
Rock and Sand Meditate
Chasing butterflies and letting them them go with a net
Paint Party
Plant Pot Surprise
Alphabet Match with dollar store letters
Shape Match
Dot Activity
Flower Sensory Bin
Paint wooden letters from the dollar store and say their letter name
Pom Pom Play
Sensory Bin Construction Site
Dramatic Play Ideas
Play based learning fun
Water Play
Sponge Paint
Sticky wall with contact tape
Color Match Drop
Wrap old puzzle toys with aluminum and find and match them once opened
Color Mixing
Measure items in your house with a ruler
Use potatoes as a stamp
Paint with a flower
Make color piles using pom poms and colorful bowls
Count with stickers in a ten frame
Build with legos or use them in a sensory bin
Non messy paint invitation to play
Paint with Qtips
Practice fine motor skills
Paint with cotton balls
Paint with marshmallows
Make a fun letter for a friend or family member
Play with homemade playdough
Make a window tissue paper suncatcher
Simple Sensory Bottle
Note: Looking for printables for kids? I am creating a printable every other day for my preschooler and sharing them with you! Check it out here.
Our Favorite Toddler Learning Folder
Bonus: Mostly Free Printable/Worksheets for Kids at Home
Free Rainbow Printable for Kids
126 words – Animals and More File Folder Games
110 words – Colors and More File Folder Games
Hearts Free Printable
Polar Bear Alphabet Free Printable
Free Hanukkah Printable
Candy Cane Counting Mats Free Printable
Snowflake Counting Mats Free Printable
Counting Number Mats 1-20 Printable
Christmas Busy Book Printable Freebie
Thanksgiving Alphabet Match Free Printable
Alphabet Puzzle Match Printable
And so much more..
For fun and engaging printables, check out MOST of our printables here!
Layers of the Earth with Playdough
Sign up to our email, so you can access our free printable resource library!
Signing up is easy and you get a free My Senses Activity Binder as a gift ๐
To sign up, click here.
Water Sensory Play for Toddlers
The Last Thing You Need to Know about Kids Activities at Home
There you have it!
Over 300 tips (and counting) in all different categories:
Free tips
Tips for 3+
Tips when kids are bored
DIY tips
Pretend Play
Arts and Crafts
When you are just at home
Outside and Miscellaneous
Fun for Kids
Rain Cloud in a Jar Experiment
Do you have any ideas you can add to this list?
Please leave me a comment down below and share your ideas ๐
Preschool Interactive Activity Binder ๐
Looking for a fun play to learn, all in one preschool activity binder?
We have been loving this binder so so much!
It’s perfect for on to go or if you’re on a vacation.
Don’t forget to check out Preschool Interactive Activity Binder! An all in one basics for preschool learning. Want to learn more, click here.
Or Get the Bundle here which includes:
Get the Bundle here:
These are great activities that I will try out next week during Easter break!
Yay! How exciting! I am happy you enjoyed this list ๐
Such a great list of ideas for at home activities with kids. This is great as the summer is getting here. Wonderful ways for them to be entertained without electronics.
Yes perfect for summer! Right! Electronic free ideas right here ๐ Thank you for your comment!
Wow! There are so many great ideas for kid activities here, Iโm not even sure where to start! I feel like I need to print them out on little slips of paper and draw one out the next time I need a boredom buster for my kids!
Haha! Your comment made me smile from ear to ear! Thank you for your kinds words ๐
Love it! With the summer peeking just around the corner these activities will come in handy for sure, thank you for the great information!
Yes I agree!! Perfect for summer right around the corner!! Thank you for your amazing comment. Made my day!
This is an awesome, massive list of summer activities to try with kids. It’s nice that they’re budget-friendly too, since taking multiple kids all over can get quite expensive.
Yes!! Thank you so much for your comment. So happy you enjoyed our massive list of summer activities !! ๐
This list has so many great ideas for things to do with kids without spending a fortune! I am going to use these for summer break.
Yay!! So happy to hear you will apply them for summer break! How exciting! This makes me so happy to hear!
What an incredible list, thank you! Printing (and pinning) to save!
Woohoo! You made my day Ariana! I am so happy you enjoyed the list ๐
These are some great ideas! I’ll have to keep them in mind when I’m home with my kids this summer. Thanks for sharing!
Yes I agree! Thank you so much! Your comment made my day Natalie ๐
great lists!
Thank you so much!
It can be so hard finding fun kid activities on a budget. Thanks for the new ideas!
Yes I agree! I am so happy you enjoyed my list! Your very welcome ๐
Wow the list is extensive and Iโm sure will be helpful to many parents!
Thank you so much for your comment! So happy you enjoyed it ๐
This is such a comprehensive list of activities for kids! Can’t wait to try a few, like setting up and planting a garden with them!
How amazing this list is. As soon as I have some grandkids over, I’ll never be without ideas again! Thank you
What a wonderful list. I really like your activities, and i am sure your ideas make so much exciting moments to kids. Thanks for sharing. Sending love from Korea ๐
Wow! What an extensive list. I can’t wait to try some of these with my son. It’s great to have them in one spot instead of having to hunt for ideas.
What an amazing list. I am pinning this so I can keep coming back to it.
This is a great post! I love finding new ideas for my kids. So many that I would have never thought of.
Wow !!! That’s really amazing, I will try my hands on couple of those for my 3 year of Girl.
Thanks for sharing such a great post.
You’re welcome ๐ Enjoy!