Summer vacation doesn’t have to equal boredom. Here are 50 fun ideas to help occupy the kids this summer.

Summer vacation is nearly upon us.  Here are some ideas that I came up with to help occupy kids throughout July and August!  (Or when ever they’re looking for something to do!)  Most of the ideas are free or nearly free!

1. Make Fudgesicles or popsicles
2. Wash the car(s)
3. Run through the sprinklers
4. Have a picnic in the park
5. Backyard camping
6. Outdoor movie nights. If you don’t have a free movie night in your area, make your own.
7. Make giant bubbles
8. Go on a hike
9. Create your own treasure hunt
10. Have a side walk chalk contest
11. Create your own puppet show
12. Use a Slip and Slide
13. Have a library day.  Get books or take part in story time!
14. Go fly a kite
15. Play with animals at your local SPCA. Some are willing to have you walk the dogs.
16. Make your own play dough or Slime.
17. Go for a bike ride
18. Stargaze
19. Collect bugs
20. Have a lemonade stand
21. Tie dye some shirts
22. Paint rocks
23. Build a fort or tree house
24. Write a pen pal
25. Have a pillow fight
26. Attend free concerts in the park
27. Wake up early to watch the sunrise
28. Do one of the activities in the Summer Bucket of Fun
29. Try geocaching
30. Have a craft day
31. Start a journal
32. Feed the ducks
33. Do some face painting with the neighbor kids
34. Bake and decorate cookies
35. Have a movie night
36. Teach your kids how to budget
37. Visit a local farm
38. Go fishing
39. Take a walking tour of your town
40. Play board games
41. Make and decorate paper mache masks
42. Learn to skip rocks
43. Make S’Mores
44. Play tennis
45. Build paper boats to race down the street when it rains
46. Visit the swimming pool
47. Go on a nature walk
48. Create a vegetable garden (I used to love having my own corner of my Mom’s garden to grow my own things!)
49. Visit the zoo
50. Finger paint

What else do your kids like to do?  What are your favourite boredom busting ideas?