51 FREE things to do this Summer!

As the initial summer excitement wears off, going to the pool or the park everyday starts to lose its charm, and everyone starts looking for something to do.  The easy solution would be to turn on the TV, and the expensive solution would be to go to the Zoo.  Indy’s Child, however, has the perfect solution- 51 in fact- to keep kids and parents happy this summer.  Check out the guide below to make the most out of this summer without breaking the bank or turning on the TV.

51 FREE things to do this Summer: 

1.  Make ice cream in a bag.  Recipe here.
2. Try a volunteer program like Parent and Me Days IndyHumane.
3. Camp in your own backyard.
4. Have a lemonade stand.
5. Plant a garden.
6. Build a giant fort out of blankets, chairs, and pillows.
7. Get creative with sidewalk chalk- create murals, play giant tic-tac-toe, or try hopscotch.
8. Try DIY bowling using two liter bottles and a soccer ball.
9. Create your own circus by making games like ring toss, knock-down-the-cans, and balloon pop.
10. Check out some books at the library.
11. Feed the ducks.
12. Wash the car.
13. Search for constellations.
14. Play freeze dance.
15. Make friendship bracelets.
16. Create a DIY slip-n-slide or just run through the hose.
17. Create and bury a time capsule.
18. Pick up trash from your local park.  Make sure to wear gloves!
19. Create leaf presses.
20. Make a kite.
21. Write and perform a play.
22. Have a scavenger hunt.
23. Try to set a world record.
24. Create giant bubbles.  Instructions here.
25. Make food to donate to local shelter.
26. Or learn to knit and donate scarves to local shelters.
27. Master origami.
28. Start a free dog walking service.
29. Create your own science experiments like the infamous baking soda and vinegar volcano.
30. Play “The Floor is Lava” around the entire house.
31. Create a dream catcher.
32. Have a Minute to Win It competition with the family.
33. Make your own picture book.
34. Build an obstacle course.
35. Play War, Spoons, or Go Fish with a deck of cards.
36. Creekstomp.
37. Write letters to family or friends.  Or try a message in a bottle.
38. Learn sign language.
39. Create a sundial.
40. Have a bonfire and make s’mores or hobo dinners.
41. Catch fireflies.
42. Watch the sunset.
43. Bike, skate, or scooter.
44. Go through old clothes and take them to Goodwill.
45. Choreograph and perform a cheer routine.
46. Grab some produce from the farmers market and make a meal out of it.
47. Play Egg Olympics.
48. Have a shaving cream or silly spray war.
49. Cloud watch.  Let everyone say what they think the cloud looks like.
50. Start a band.
51. Make lava lamps out of an empty water bottle. Instructions here.