5 Inexpensive Ways to Entertain Your Kids This Spring

Guest Contributor: Amy Fletcher

This article on inexpensive ways to entertain your children in the spring was originally published in March 2020. All relevant statistics have been updated as of May 2022. 

Raising a child is expensive, and so is paying for activities to keep them entertained. Creating memories on a budget is something families around the world are concerned with, especially seeing as 1 in 3 parents say they've lied at some point about their child's age to save money on activities, like going to the movies. This is no shock, since the cost of keeping kids entertained keeps growing year on year, and the cost of living and inflation is rising swiftly. 

With spring finally here and schools headed toward summer vacation, you're undoubtedly scrambling to come up with some exciting and interactive activities for you and your family to spend some quality time together. The good news for you? We've got some advice and insights on activities you can do that won't break the bank.

Make & fly a kite

Kite flying is a great activity for kids as it gets them moving, forces them to concentrate, and builds their hand-eye coordination. You don’t need to spend money on a kite, either, as your kids can make their own with a plastic bag, string, two sticks, scissors, and ribbon. Get every member of the family to make their own kite, so that when you get outside you can hold a friendly competition on who can fly their kite the highest. 

This is also a great activity to let your creative juices flow. Grab your markers, paint, crayons, or colored pencils, and see what fun designs your children can come up with to decorate their kite! This low-cost activity encourages children to use their imagination and gives you the chance to go outside and get some fresh air. Need some help with figuring out how to make your own kite at home? Check out this easy guide. 

Go Camping In your backyard

Spring and summer nights are filled with warm air, cool breezes, and starry nights. Take advantage of the beautiful weather and spend a night camping out in your backyard! Grab a tent if you have one (or borrow from a friend or family member), gather up the blankets and pillows, and make a comfy fort to sleep in for the night. You can bring snacks and drinks from inside the house to have a nighttime picnic, you can tell spooky or silly stories, and you can look at the stars and see if you can find any constellations. This simple activity is sure to be a hit with your children. 

If you're not the outdoorsy type, that's not a problem! Swap the outdoors for the indoors and instead create a blanket and pillow fort in your living room. The only part that truly matters is that you're all together, creating lasting memories. 

Head to the Splash Park

As the heat ramps up, you'll be looking for fun ways to cool off. The answer — spending a day at the splash park. Pool memberships can be pricey, but the great thing about splash parks is that many of them are free to the public. For families with younger children, splash parks offer some peace of mind, seeing as there are no deep bodies of water that you need to be worried about. Often, these places have jets that shoot water into the air and interactive activities so your children can keep busy and stay cool. Plan ahead and pack a picnic, so you can save money on food and treats, creating the perfect inexpensive family-friendly day out. 

Get painting

If your fence, shed, or the exterior of your house needs a  lick of paint, then getting the kids involved is a good way to keep them occupied this spring. Painting is good for a child’s mobility skills and it will get the entire family working together to complete a task. Don’t worry, if you haven’t got anything that needs painting, as kids can ‘paint’ the house or the patio with a bucket of water and a paintbrush and have just as much fun.

Do some gardening

If you’re looking for an activity that will keep your kids entertained all spring, then gardening is ideal. Giving them their own seeds to plant and plants to water and feed will provide them with responsibility and a sense of achievement. You could opt for easy-to-grow plants, such as violets or hollyhocks. Alternatively, get your kids to grow their own fruit and vegetables as this will teach them about health. You may even find that your little ones will have a new interest in and start eating more fruits and vegetables! Studies have shown that when children are involved in the growing and gardening process, they're more likely to eat produce and try new kinds of foods. 

There’s no need to spend a fortune entertaining your kids this spring as there are plenty of activities that they’ll love doing that cost next to nothing. So the next time you’re looking for a fun activity for your children to participate in, make sure you turn to one of these ideas.