School is ending, and summer vacation is beginning, and it will not take any time at all for kids to proclaim that they are bored. However, there are a lot of free and low cost ways that kids can have a great and busy summer.

#1. Parents can create a scavenger hunt.

A list of simple things to find can turn into hours of fun for kids, and every day, parents can create a new list of items for their kids to find.

#2. The library offers summer reading programs that offer prizes for reading.

Kids need to keep their reading skills sharp, and the summer reading programs do encourage kids to read. Sometimes the prizes for the summer reading program can be things like tickets to an amusement park, or free meals at kid-friendly restaurants.

#3. Having play dates with neighborhood kids.

There are a lot of kids in the neighborhood that kids can play with, and now that school is over, kids can spend time getting to know their neighbors, and having a lot of fun doing it.

#4. Erect a tent in the backyard under a tree for a cool place to play.

Some kids have a playhouse, but some do not, and a tent under a tree can be a really fun and cool place for kids to play. The tent can provide shelter from the heat, and rain, and the kids can use their imagination and turn it into anything they want like a castle, a spaceship, or anything else using their minds and creativity.

#5. Sleepovers with friends and family members.

Spending the night away from home can be very exciting. Sleepovers can be fun and kids will get to spend time with the people they are closest to.

#6. A kids detective club can be a lot of fun and make kids think.

Some kids have a knack at finding things and solving mysteries, so why not put that to good use with a kids detective agency? The gang of kids can find lost items, which will mean hours of fun.

#7. Find sturdy trees to climb and make it into a treehouse.

A big tree in the backyard can be a safe haven for kids. A platform can be put in the tree, and even something like a tent on top of that platform can be used to create a treehouse.

#8. Going to a lake or pond will mean free swimming fun.

There are lot of bodies of water that can provide a free place for kids to swim.  Whether it is a nearby lake, river, or pond, kids can get plenty of exercise and keep cool at the same time.

#9. Kids can use old clothes to put on plays.

A trunk full of clothes in the attic can provide the costumes that kids can use to put on plays. Kids will get to be creative and come up with a play that they can put on for their parents.