Summer activity ideas for kids - many that don't involve money!

It didn't take long after school was out for that dreaded question. Mommy, what can we do???? In order to keep my sanity, I came up with a whole bunch of ideas for my boys (and for me) to prevent that question from coming up too often!

I came up with 6 lists.
1. Activities for rainy days at home (inside the house) that are basically free.
2. Activities for rainy days - outings that cost money.
3. Rainy day outings that are free or very cheap
4. Activities for warm & sunny days at home (outside) that are free
5. Activities for sunny days - outings that cost money - gas or entrance fee.
6. Sunny day outing ideas that are free (parks, beaches, etc.)

My friend Colette suggested I share my lists, so here goes. Keep in mind that my boys are 5 and 6 1/2 and these are ideas for weekdays. We don't seem to have any trouble coming up with things to do on the weekends, especially in the summer. There is a festival every weekend around here!

1. Rainy Day activities at home that are free

- playdough

- painting

- Lego

- cars

- Tinkertoys

- make a craft

- cut pictures of out magazines, make a collage

- put on a puppet show

- make cookies/muffins with Mommy

- play a game (Zingo, CandyLand, Connect Four, Battleship, Memory, Hungry Hippos, etc)

- PlayMobil

- dress up

- jigsaw puzzle

- finger painting

- do an exercise video with Mommy

- Hide and Seek

- activity books (colouring books, dot to dot, hidden pictures, mazes)

- read a book or two or three or four or five or.....

- write in a journal

- act out a play or a story (a fairy tale?) and Mommy will video tape it

- look at photo albums

- draw pictures on paper or chalkboard

The following at home activities have a bit of a cost involved:

- stamp on T shirts

- make stepping stones

- make a pinecone bird feeder

2. Rainy Day outings with a cost involved.

- Everett Children's Musuem (we have a membership)

- Seattle Children's Musuem

- Bouncy places (Pump it Up, Jump Planet, 3-2-1 Bounce)

- Creation Station

- the Museum of Flight

- Pacific Science Center

- Seattle Aquarium

- Everett Skate Deck (rollerskating and inline skating)

- Chuck E. Cheese

3. Rainy Day outings that are free or cheap

- Library events - there are a lot of concerts and other activities including story time

- McDonald's play area - the one in Redmond is especially fun

- Free movies - Tuesday mornings - details here

4. Sunny day activities at home (free)

- sidewalk chalk

- hopscotch

- basketball

- ride bikes

- run through sprinkler

- slip and slide

- water balloons

- wash the car

- watch bugs with a magnifying glass

- play hockey/soccer outside

- sandbox

- frisbee

- play in plastic pool

- make sun prints

- play marbles

- throw bean bags

5. Sunny Day Outings that are free or almost free

- Parks/Playgrounds (I compiled a big list of our favourites and ones we haven't visited yet)

- Beaches

- Free Concerts - the city of Lynnwood has free events on Wednesdays at noon starting June 30th

- Pick fruit (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)

- The Zoo (we have a pass)

6. Sunny Day outings that cost money (mostly gas or an entrance fee)

- Miniature golf (Interbay in Seattle or Willows Run in Redmond)

- Arlington Kangaroo Farm - (Wednesdays through Sundays only)

- The Funny Farm in Monroe (seriously, that is the name!) - has kangaroos, llamas and camels

- Tacoma Zoo

- Snoqualmie Train

Note: I have only been to the train in Snoqualmie, not the other places, so I can't vouch for them.

I hope this helps someone! Check your local parks and recreation for ideas and Family Fun has great ides for backyard games and crafts as well.

I'm linking to Flaunt it Friday.
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