This post contains affiliate links, but all opinions are my own. Read my full disclosure statement here.
We all love summer break – less responsibility, no packing lunches, no homework, and more fun. If you’re a parent or caregiver, you know that the fun of summer break can come and go very quickly the first time you hear “I’m bored”. We’re only two weeks into summer break here in Canada, and I’ve already heard these words 15 times.
With that, I’ve complied a list of 10 products under $20 that don’t require you leaving the house (and are all available on Amazon). Check it out below:
1. Slime Kit
Every child I know is currently obsessed with slime, including my own. I’ve recently come to realize that I need to stop trying to help with the slime making. Half of the fun for them is being able to come up with the concoction on their own. Yes, it can get messy, but it’s more than 5 seconds of fun (as opposed to other crafts).
2. Giant Inflatable Bowling Set
My kids would absolutely adore this set. The bottom of the pins have weight to avoid falling over from wind and because they’re inflatable, toddlers can help reset the pins. The best part is that these are perfect either indoor or outdoor, they aren’t dangerous, and they’re more of a novelty than cheap plastic sets.
3. DIY Fairy Garden Kit
This is something that my kids will be doing this summer. With some soil from our yard and a few different sized pots, they’ll be busy (for at least an hour!) making their own fairy garden. I plan on making it more fun by allowing them to add anything they can find in our yard or house.
4. Gardening Kit
Accompanied by some cheap seed packs, a kid friendly gardening kit is an easy way to keep your kids entertained while you do yard work. I find that the more similar the play tool are to real tools, the easier it is to keep them interested.
5. Sidewalk Paint
Sidewalk paint is the coolest chalk alternative. The mini paint cans and kid-friendly rollers make this significantly more fun. Let the kids paint the sides of your house and wash it off with water in a matter of 15 seconds.
6. A Tanked Watergun
Another twist on a classic summer activity. At any age, water gun fights are fun, and products that allow for less fill-ups make them even better.
7. Window Markers
8. Toy Rocket Launcher
These things are seriously fun. This is another toy that a kid of any age can have full control over – no parent help needed (aren’t those the best kinds of toys?). The rockets are perfect solo or with friends as well as indoor or outdoor.
9. Make Your Own Movie Lego Kit
My daughter saw this online and has been asking for it ever since. This set comes with everything needed to make a cool Lego stop motion movie on your phone or tablet. It’s pretty awesome!
10. Don’t Step In it
As much as it absolutely pains me to include this game in this list, it’s an easy way to keep kids entertained. The commerials for this game kill me, but for some reason my kids want it. What will they come up with next!?
We want to take our kids out and keep them occupied this summer, but it can be extremely difficult to follow through. Hopefully this list can be helpful for those days when you need a break from the “I’m bored” cycle.
What’s on your list to keep your kids busy this year?