Mom Life · Summer

Summer Boredom Busters for Kids (Mostly Screen-Free)

By Janet
Updated June 2026 · 6 min read

By week three of summer, "I'm booooored" becomes the soundtrack of the house. Here is my running list of easy, low-prep, mostly screen-free things that actually keep my kids busy, organized so you can grab one fast when you hit the wall.

Start here: make a boredom jar. Write each idea below on a slip of paper, drop them in a jar, and when the whining starts, they pull one and that's the plan. Taking the decision off your plate is half the magic.

Backyard & outdoor

Mud kitchen with old pots, spoons, and a hose
Rock painting, then hide them around the neighborhood
Water balloon toss or a DIY car wash for the ride-on toys
Sidewalk chalk obstacle course or hopscotch
Nature scavenger hunt (leaf, feather, something red, a smooth rock)
Bug hunt with a magnifying glass and a little jar
Sprinkler run or a slip-and-slide on a hot afternoon
Plant something in a cup and watch it grow

Indoor & rainy day

Blanket fort or a cardboard-box fort (boxes are free magic)
Indoor obstacle course with couch cushions and painter's tape
I Spy, charades, or a card game
Bake something together (kids measure and stir)
Sticker books, sorting games, lacing cards for the little ones
Make a "restaurant" and let them take your order
Dance party with a timer to clean up between songs
Build a marble run or a domino chain

Crafty & quiet

Homemade playdough or kinetic sand
Paper-plate masks or paper-bag puppets
Friendship bracelets or a bead project
Draw a comic or write a tiny book
Coloring or a busy-book for screen-free car and waiting time
Build a fort and "camp" with flashlights and a snack
Screen-free audio play, a Tonies player (we have Ms. Rachel and Minnie) is our go-to for quiet time and car rides

Part of my 90's Butter Summer. The soft, slow, mostly screen-free kind. The easy outfit I actually live in on these days is right here: the 90's butter mom outfit.

My boredom-buster kit

The craft supplies, sidewalk chalk, kinetic sand, busy books, and card games I keep stocked for summer are in my Amazon storefront, all in one list.

See my Amazon picks → As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

When you want to get out of the house

Some days you just need a change of scene. Here are my indoor Orlando spots to beat the heat, my Orlando summer guide (splash pads and springs), and the cheap-staycation trick of a resort pool day pass.

Frequently asked questions

What is a boredom jar?

A jar full of activity ideas on paper slips. When a kid says they're bored, they pull one out and that's the plan, no negotiating and no decision fatigue for you.

What are easy screen-free activities for a hot day?

Indoor forts, baking together, playdough, an indoor obstacle course, or a sprinkler and water balloons once it cools off in the evening.

How do I keep a toddler busy without screens?

Sensory play wins: kinetic sand, a mud kitchen, sticker books, sorting games, and busy boards. Short, hands-on, and easy to reset.

Heads up: some links in this post are affiliate links, including my Amazon storefront, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.

Janet

Orlando mom of two and the creator behind Planet Janet TV. I share the real staycations, family finds, and deals I actually use. Come say hi on Instagram.

Rainy-day rescue

The best indoor spots in Orlando to escape the heat and burn off energy.

Read the indoor guide →

Sources: from experience plus general kids'-activity guidance. Adapt for your child's age and supervise water and craft play.