OVER 30 Creative & Budget-Friendly Activities for Kids in 2025
Save your little ones from boredom with these fun activities for kids!
When the boredom hits, we know moms feel the pressure too 😩. That’s why we’ve put together a go-to list of low-effort, low-mess crafts and activities perfect for when you need to beat boredom or spend a little quality (or “mom”) time. These ideas are great for kids 10 & under, and many of them won’t cost you a thing! 🎉
Check out these fun activities for kids to try in 2025!
Shaving Cream Crafts:
1. Make easy 3-ingredient puffy paint.
You probably already have everything you need to create 3D puffy paint! Check out this video to see how!
2. Prefer to paint outside? This homemade puffy sidewalk paint is a cinch, too!
I don’t care how cool you think you are when there’s puffy paint, we’re ALL in. Get the DIY here on Hip2Save.
3. Create a sensory experience with pretend shaving cream ice cream.
Shaving cream and food coloring are all it takes to create this adorable toddler boredom buster. Use real ice cream accessories you already own or fun ice cream-themed sand toys like I used!
Target’s Bullseye’s Playground often has these fun food themed sets for $5 or LESS!
Outdoor Play:
4. A customizable obstacle course gets their bodies moving in a fun way!
Here’s just one obstacle course idea! Feel free to use any ‘theme’ you’d like!
5. Have you tried this with your magnet tiles?
Now, why didn’t we think of this easy kids activity sooner? Mom can read a book, work outside, or simply relax while the kids play – no mess and minimal supervision!
6. Create a suncatcher.
We love affordable art activities for kids and this adorable craft is budget-friendly and so fun to do! Help your child create their own sun catcher using cardboard, cellophane, and scotch tape. You can also attach your suncatcher to a dowel to create a wand!
7. Make these HUGE bubbles with just 3 ingredients.
Want Bubbles for DAYS?! Get the DIY here on Hip2Save. This affordable activity is always a hit!
8. Beat the heat with this TikTok-worthy hack.
Water fun doesn’t have to mean expensive slip n’ slides! This DIY pool noodle sprinkler went viral for a reason!
9. Plant a garden.
Grow your child’s gardening skills! Plant an indoor or outdoor garden together. This is a great way to teach your kiddo about science, nutrition, and agriculture! Try this DIY stacked herb garden for something fun and delicious!
10. Paint a shower curtain.
Looking for more fun art activities for kids? Buy a cheap shower curtain at Dollar Tree and some paints. Hang the curtain outside on a fence or lay it flat on the ground. Then, let your kiddos have at it! They’ll create a one-of-a-kind piece or artwork that is functional too!
11. Turn rocks into works of art!
Take a walk outside and while you do, look for flat stones to create DIY kindness rocks or this adorable rock garden.
12. One of our top FREE outdoor activities for kids is to go geocaching.
Love the outdoors? Looking for a unique experience? Don’t want to spend money? If you’ve been searching for “outdoor activities near me,” then you should consider Geocaching! This real-world treasure hunt involves looking for hidden boxes (known as Geocaches) using your smartphone or GPS unit and then documenting your experience online.
Reinvent playtime:
13. Make a lego ‘projector’.
Got lots of LEGOs? This easy DIY requires no instructions; just build two sidebeams however you please and slide a piece of paper in between. Then, place a flashlight on one side, turn off the lights, and let the shadow puppet stories begin.
My kids & I have gotten creative and built theater ‘seats’ out of LEGOs for the minifigures to sit, made a theater entrance, popcorn, you name it, but all you really need is some imagination! This is a repeat activity for us and has been a HUGE hit for my kiddos from ages 3 years up to 9 years old. Can’t recommend this one enough! – Hip Sidekick, Chelsey
14. One of the timeless & fun indoor activities for kids is indoor bowling.
There’s no need for a bowling alley if you don’t have one nearby! A colorful bowling set like this one can be an affordable toy your child can play with again and again or you can try building one yourself with recycled bottles and cans!
Willing to leave the house? Register at Kids Bowl Free for up to two FREE games of bowling every day during the spring and summer!
15. Make table tents for indoor camping.
Grab a flashlight and let the kids build a cozy fort with blankets, books, and toys—perfect for hours of indoor fun while you enjoy a breather. A pop-up tent works too!
16. Build obstacle courses.
Time for a challenge! With little to no supervision, your kids will have a blast navigating their indoor or outdoor obstacle course. No string? Painter’s tape works great, too!
17. Make a DIY car track.
Ready, set, go! Making a race track is not only one of the fun indoor activities for kids, but it’s budget-friendly too! Consider using washi tape, magnetic tiles, or these FREE Picklebums printable roads.
18. Complete a scavenger hunt.
This minimal supervision activity is quick and easy to set up. Simply hide the scavenger hunt clue cards. Your kids will solve the riddles to find out where to locate the next clue. They’ll be busy hunting down their next hint for as long as it takes! The more clues you have hidden, the longer they’ll stay occupied.
19. When it comes to fun activities for kids, you can’t go wrong with building toys!
Unlike a lot of one-and-done crafts, building toys are one of the indoor activities that can keep kids entertained for hours on end. These magnetic blocks and bracelet making kits have been popular on our site, plus grab these on Amazon:
20. Turn recycled Amazon boxes into nature activities!
A few of our favorites have been recycled flower ‘pots’ – simply draw the vase shape and poke a few holes for kids to collect & place flowers in. Or use your box flaps to create an easy DIY scavenger hun on your next walk!
Have fun at home:
21. Take advantage of online educational resources.
GoNoodle.com is an incredible resource for educational and fun activities for kids! Plus, you can do these activities indoors! The website has tons of free printables to teach your child about things like the water cycle or eating a healthy and balanced meal.
They also have mindfulness exercises and sing and dance videos to get your kids moving and grooving while learning at the same time!
22. Take online music lessons.
We love indoor activities that can help your child grow useful skills, like music lessons! Whether your child has taken piano lessons before or is picking up an instrument for the first time, they can practice and progress with at-home music lessons.
Music To Your Home is a company that can provide virtual music lessons for popular instruments like piano, guitar, violin, cello, clarinet, flute, saxophone, drums, and more. Online lessons start at $45 for 30 minutes.
23. Bathtub art projects are always fun activities for kids.
Contain the mess! If there’s an activity that doesn’t involve turning the house upside down, we’re ALL FOR IT. Purchase some bathtub finger paint or crayons and let your little artists create a masterpiece!
Bathwater isn’t necessary for this activity and isn’t recommended if your children are under the age of 5. If using water, children should be closely supervised at all times.
24. Host an indoor or outdoor movie night.
Gather up the kids and host a movie night. If you have a projector, you can even watch your favorite films outdoors!
25. Cook together.
Whip up something special and create a memory together. Your kiddo will learn cooking skills and feel proud of what they made. We have tons of fun recipes to try here on Hip2Save!
26. Make ice cream in a bag.
Everyone remembers this from childhood, right? This easy recipe takes just 10 minutes!
Local things to do:
27. Visit museums or historical sites.
Introduce your child to arts, history, and culture by visiting museums and historical sites near you. Your local museums may offer discounted or free admissions days. Other ways to save on admission include:
- Museums on Us Program – Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders can get free admission the first weekend of the month at over 225 museums.
- Get Out Pass – Buy a pass when it is discounted and you can get free admission to many local attractions.
- Museums For All – If you have SNAP benefits, you can receive free or discounted admission through this program.
Hip Tip: Did you know you can also tour factories? Visit FactoryTourUSA to see educational tours near you.
28. For more outdoor activities, visit a botanical garden.
Depending on where you live, your local botanical garden may offer free admission days for all (or for children under a certain age). Search for “botanical gardens near me,” to find ones in your area. Be sure to check their website or call ahead to find out about any promotions so you can score a free visit!
29. Explore a state or national park.
Search for “state and national parks near me”, and you might just find some in your area. Our state and national parks offer so many fantastic and fun outdoor activities for kids. You can go hiking, animal watching, cross-country skiing, fishing, and more. Some parks may be cheap or affordable to enter and others may cost more.
Luckily, there are ways to save and get discounted or FREE admission:
- Visit the parks on FREE admission days
- Take advantage of a veteran or active military discount
- Show proof of disability to score a lifetime access pass
- Fourth graders and their families get free admission thanks to the Every Kid Outdoors program
- Senior citizens can save when they buy a Lifetime or Annual Senior Pass
- Volunteer 250 hours a year and you’ll score a special Volunteer Pass that grants free admission
30. Get involved in library activities and reading programs.
Reading is a great way to keep kids engaged in learning. During the school year, I check for local reading programs near me and you can too!
If your kids are out of school for summer break, check out our post on the many FREE summer reading programs that reward kids for hitting the books all summer long.
31. Join a summer camp or local day program.
Camps and day programs are a great way to occupy kids in the summer. See if your local park district may offer affordable camps for kids near you.
Or, consider sending your child to a specialized summer camp that caters to their interests:
- If your child loves STEM activities for kids, they can join Microsoft’s YouthSpark program
- Kids 8-12 can also join Apple’s FREE Apple Camp.
- Little ones who love crafts may enjoy Michael’s Camp Creatology which runs in the summer
32. Attend a Home Depot Workshop.
Kids can get hands-on and tackle fun DIY projects for FREE at The Home Depot! Check their list of upcoming workshops to get your kiddo registered. While you’re there, look for adult workshops as well — while they’re not free, they’re certainly worth checking out!
33. Visit a splash pad or pool.
Have little ones looking to cool off in the heat? Head to a local splash pad where kids (and adults 😉 ) can play in the pads – and most splash pad sites are completely free! It’s one of the outdoor activities for kids that is always a hit!
34. Volunteer together.
There are ALWAYS volunteer opportunities for families to give back to the community. Ask around to neighbors or friends to see if they’re active in any groups they feel are worth joining. You can also search Volunteer Match for a more comprehensive list of available opportunities near you.
Not only is it a bonding experience for your family, but you’ll be teaching your kids a valuable lesson in the importance of giving back — how sweet!
Nothing beats summer vacation with the fam! Check out the latest travel deals!
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