Backyard (or Living Room) Olympics – $0-$5
Want a weekend activity that’s active, silly, and stretches kids’ energy just right? Enter the Backyard (or Living Room) Olympics—a low-cost, screen-free way to keep kids entertained all weekend long. Here’s why it works: it’s flexible, easy to set up, and spans three days, turning your home into an exciting sports arena without needing special gear.
Why it works all weekend:
- Builds anticipation: Friday night’s opening ceremony gets everyone hyped.
- Keeps kids moving: Sports and games run across Saturday and Sunday.
- Boosts creativity: Kids get involved in game planning, scoring, and cheering.
10-12 Simple Events to Try:
- Spoon Race: Carry a small ball or egg on a spoon—don’t drop it!
- Sock Toss: Toss rolled-up socks into a laundry basket.
- Pillow Jump: Leap over pillows lined up on the floor.
- Hula Hoop Spin: See who can keep their hoop going longest.
- Balloon Volleyball: Use a balloon—no damage, all fun.
- Sock Slide: Slide across the floor on socks to a finish line.
- Paper Plane Distance: Who flies farthest?
- Balloon Pop: Sit on balloons to pop ’em—extra silly!
- Balance Beam: Walk a taped line on the floor.
- Shadow Freeze: Dance, then freeze when the music stops.
- Beanbag Toss: Aim for marked spots on the ground.
- Obstacle Course: Use chairs, cushions, and toys to race around.
DIY Medals and Scoreboards
Forget store-bought medals! Use:
- Aluminum foil and cardboard to craft shiny gold, silver, and bronze awards.
- Colorful construction paper for ribbons or badges.
- Whiteboard or chalkboard for keeping score.
- Markers and tape to personalize teams and event banners.
The Weekend Plan
- Friday Night Opening Ceremony: Kick off with team introductions, medal unveiling, and rule explanations. Bonus points for homemade “athlete” posters.
- Saturday Tournament: Run your simple events in rounds; keep score for every little win.
- Sunday Finals: The big showdown with the top scorers from Saturday, plus a closing medal ceremony!
Age Tweaks and Safety
- Adapt events for young toddlers by simplifying rules or shortening distances.
- For older kids, add challenges (like timed races or tricky toss targets).
- Always supervise to prevent slips or bumps—use soft surfaces or rugs indoors.
- Remember: it’s about fun, not competition. Encourage cheering and teamwork!
This cheap weekend activity for kids combines movement, creativity, and a bit of friendly rivalry to keep boredom at bay. Plus, it’s a perfect way to unplug and enjoy family time without breaking the bank. Ready, set, go!
DIY Indoor/Outdoor Fort City + Story Adventure – $0
Building forts is a classic, zero-cost way to keep kids busy and active all weekend. Use blankets, chairs, couch cushions, and cardboard boxes to create an indoor or backyard Fort City. Let the kids take the lead—stack, drape, and build walls to shape their own “kingdom” that grows and changes over three days.
Make it more than just a fort by turning it into a story adventure:
- Add flashlight storytelling inside the forts at night.
- Use hands or cutouts for shadow puppets on the walls.
- Create simple treasure maps to hide small items or snacks.
- Plan a treasure hunt to explore different parts of the “kingdom.”
To help you get started, you can download free printable treasure hunt clues tailored by age group. This keeps kids engaged, sparks their imagination, and encourages screen-free weekend fun. Plus, forts are easy to rebuild or change, so the fun lasts all weekend long!
Kitchen Science + Baking Takeover – $3-$10
This low-cost family fun idea mixes simple science with tasty treats, keeping kids busy and learning all weekend. It’s perfect for cheap weekend activities for kids that combine creativity, hands-on fun, and snacks they actually eat.
Day 1: 3-Ingredient Slime or Volcano
Start with an easy science project like making slime or a baking soda volcano. Both need just a few common ingredients, like glue, baking soda, vinegar, or cornstarch, and will wow your kids without costing much.
Day 2: No-Bake Treats or Homemade Pizza Night
Switch to the kitchen for no-bake snacks such as energy balls or simple fruit parfaits. Or make it fun with a homemade pizza night—kids love adding toppings and getting hands-on, and it’s a great way to teach them about cooking and nutrition.
Day 3: “Chopped Junior” Challenge with Pantry Staples
Turn the kitchen into a mini cooking show. Pick a few random ingredients from your pantry and challenge the kids to create their own dish. It’s a fun way to encourage creativity and problem-solving, and yes—everyone eats what they make.
Bonus: This plan builds basic life skills like measuring, mixing, and following directions. Plus, it’s perfect for those who want indoor activities for kids all day and a way to keep them busy without screens.
Small cost, big fun, and the bonus is you get to enjoy their tasty results!
Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt Marathon – $0-$2
A neighborhood scavenger hunt is a fantastic low-cost family fun at home that keeps kids busy without screens all weekend long. It’s easy to set up, can be adapted for any age, and gets everyone outside or exploring safely nearby.
Friday: Nature Color Hunt
Create a simple checklist of colors for kids to find in nature—red leaves, yellow flowers, green grass, brown sticks, and so on. They can collect small items or just check them off. It’s a zero dollar weekend activity that encourages observation and outdoor play.
Saturday: Photo Scavenger Hunt
Kids can use an old phone or camera to snap pictures of specific things you list—like a mailbox, a dog, a funny sign, or a blue car. Younger kids can draw what they find if phones aren’t handy. This keeps the game fresh and adds creativity.
Sunday: Kindness Hunt
Turn it into a “kindness hunt” by having kids leave chalk art on sidewalks, write compliments on neighbor’s cars (with permission), or drop little notes of encouragement in mailboxes. It’s a feel-good way to wrap up the weekend and involves the whole neighborhood.
Printable Checklists
To make it even easier, use free printable scavenger hunt checklists tailored by age group. These help track progress and keep kids motivated without added screen time or extra cost—perfect for rainy weekend kids activities or no-spend weekend ideas family loves.
This scavenger hunt marathon is a proven boredom buster for toddlers and elementary kids alike, combining cheap weekend activities for kids with homemade games for children right at your doorstep.
At-Home Movie Festival + Talent Show – $0-$8
Turn your weekend into a mini film fest right at home with a themed movie marathon—think Disney classics, Harry Potter adventures, or superhero showdowns. It’s a great low-cost family fun activity that keeps kids busy without screens feeling overdone.
How to Set It Up:
- Build a blanket theater: Use cushions, blankets, and chairs to create a cozy movie nook.
- Make movie tickets: Let kids craft simple tickets from paper to “buy” their seats.
- Popcorn with a twist: Mix up popcorn seasoning—try cheese powder, cinnamon sugar, or chili lime for a fun snack upgrade.
Add a Talent Show Between Movies:
- Encourage kids to create short commercials or skits promoting the next movie.
- Organize a halftime talent show with dancing, singing, or magic tricks.
- This keeps the energy up and offers screen-free entertainment bursts.
Weekend Schedule:
- Saturday matinee: Start with a couple of favorite films to warm up.
- Sunday night finale: Wrap up with a big family awards session for best commercial, best talent, or funniest moment.
This idea is a perfect blend of indoor activities for kids all day and cheap weekend activities that feel special. Plus, it works for all ages and encourages creativity, making it a great boredom buster for the whole family.
Bonus Tips to Stretch the Fun All 48 Hours
Keeping kids entertained all weekend can feel like a marathon, so rotating activities helps prevent burnout and keeps the fun fresh. Here’s how to stretch the excitement through the whole weekend without screens:
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Rotate Activities: Switch between active games, creative projects, and chill time. For example, follow a high-energy Backyard Olympics session with a quieter fort-building adventure. This balance keeps kids engaged without wearing them out.
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Create a “Boredom Jar”: Fill a jar with 20+ quick, easy micro-ideas like drawing a funny face, doing 5 jumping jacks, or telling a silly story. When kids say “I’m bored,” they pick from the jar for an instant, no-prep activity. It’s a low-cost family fun hack that works anytime.
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Involve Older Siblings: Turn them into “activity leaders.” Older kids can help organize games, guide younger siblings during scavenger hunts, or host the talent show. This not only builds leadership skills but also lightens the load for parents.
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Plan Rainy Day Swaps: For every outdoor idea, have an indoor backup ready. For example, swap backyard Olympics for a living room obstacle course or replace a neighborhood scavenger hunt with an inside scavenger hunt using household items. This keeps the momentum going even when the weather isn’t on your side.
These simple, low-cost strategies make sure the weekend boredom blues don’t stand a chance, offering both parents and kids flexible and fun ways to stay busy all weekend long.