How To Keep Kids Entertained Without Spending A Lot

Keeping kids entertained isn’t always easy, especially when you’re trying not to break the bank in the process. And the truth is, it can often feel like the spending never stops, especially during the longer school holidays. 

But the good news, and something to definitely bear in mind is that kids don’t actually need fancy day trips or brand new toys or even constant screen time to stay happy and busy – what they really want (most of the time, anyway) is just something that feels fun, exciting, and a little bit different to the usual. 

And you don’t have to go out of your way to make that happen. Using just a bit of creativity, some flexibility, and a willingness to get used to a bit of chaos every now and then, there are actually loads of ways to keep kids entertained, and they don’t cost much at all – in fact, a lot of the best ideas are totally free. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more about how to keep kids entertained without spending a lot. 

It’s Okay To Be Bored

This is a good one to start with because it’s really important – when your kids tell you they’re bored, that’s not always a bad thing, and it doesn’t mean everyone has to spring into action. In fact, this could often be the first step towards a bit of creativity for them, and although we tend to think we have to jump in right away to solve this particular problem, the truth is that when you give them a bit of space instead, they can figure out their own entertainment, and that’s a fantastic life skill to have for the future. 

Sometimes, even if they’re not all that happy at first, they’ll pick something up they haven’t thought about in weeks, they’ll built a fort, they’ll make up a story, they’ll draw a comic strip on a piece of paper… whatever it is, they’ll find a way to entertain themselves. Of course, it doesn’t always happen right away, but if you give them time, boredom often leads to something wonderfully creative and inventive, and it won’t cost you a thing. 

Make The Most Of What You’ve Got

Another thing to think about is that you don’t have to have a perfectly stoked craft cupboard or a garden full of play equipment to keep the kids happy – just a few everyday items and your (or rather, their) imagination can go a long way and be precisely what’s needed. 

If you’ve got cardboard boxes, for example, they could turn it into a spaceship, a robot costume, a puppet theatre, and so on. What about old magazines? They’re perfect for a collage or a homemade comic book. Even a handful of odd socks can turn into puppets if you’ve got a pen and a sense of humour! 

The trisk is to see things as toys and games rather than just junk or nothing inspiring at all – in that way, you can make a lot (literally!) out of whatever it is that’s just lying around, and it can keep the children occupied for hours at a time. 

Use The Outdoors

Fresh air is very often underrated, and even the most energetic child can calm down a little bit after a run around the block or some playtime in the park or garden. And you don’t need a massive outdoor space to make that happen – just stepping outside and doing something a little different can definitely help. You could create a nature scavenger hunt, do chalk drawings on the pavement, make a mini obstacle course with sticks and stones, or play old-school games like the ones you remember from the playground when you were little (and that in itself can be a great way to bond with the kids). 

The best part about all this is that they’re going to burn off plenty of energy, and fresh air is good and healthy for them, so you can feel great that you’re taking care of them and they won’t be bored. Plus, of course, it doesn’t cost a thing, so that’s a positive anyway. 

Play With What’s Already There

Sometimes the toys kids already have get ignored just because they’re always there and always available, but what if they could be a free way to keep them entertained? Rotating them – putting some away for a few weeks and then bringing them back out – can make old toys feel new and exciting again, and there you have it – it’s free, fun, and you can let the kids play using their imaginations most of the time. 

You can also set little challenges with what’s already in the box, like who can build the tallest tower, or try to recreate a scene from a favourite film, or maybe you could even get them to create a new board game using the bits and pieces they’ve got around them. That kind of thing can keep them entertained for hours and really get their brains working at the same time. 

Let Them Help

This idea is really going to depend on your energy level and patience, but getting kids involved in grownup tasks can be surprisingly entertaining for them – they just love to feel useful and grownup. Whether it’s washing the car with buckets and sponges, helping back something simple, or planting seeds in a pot out back, the process becomes the fun part. 

True, the job might take longer than it would if you did things by yourself, and yes it could be pretty messy by the time it’s all over, but the children will feel proud of themselves, and you’ll get to spend time together doing something that’s productive and that can be a useful life skill, so it’s got a lot of positive points to it. In fact, you could even teach them how to tidy up afterwards, which is another useful skill to learn, and it gets another job done and out of the way. 

Use Free Community Resources

Libraries are a wonderful free resources that you can use at any time, and what’s really great is that they’re not just for books (although borrowing books for free is always a plus), and they’ll often run activities for kids too, especially during the school holidays. Storytime sessions, craft clubs, or even quiet areas for kids to explore on their own can give you an hour or two of calm and entertainment, and you can find out what’s on via the internet, or just by popping in and asking – librarians will be happy to keep you up to date. 

And it’s not just libraries either – local community centres, leisure centres, and even some shopping centres run free events or workshops, and it’s always worth checking out local Facebook groups or council websites to see what’s going on nearby. 

Enjoy Screen Time Without The Guilt

We’ve got to be honest – screens are just part of life now. And while too much screen time can be an issue, a little bit of the right kind can actually be great. Educational videos, creative apps, and some types of games can offer all kinds of fantastic benefits, which can include problem solving or even language development and much more. 

And if you want to join in, that’s even better. Some online games are perfect for kids and parents to play together, especially if they involve puzzles, teamwork, or a little bit of competition. It turns individual screen time into something a lot more social and a lot more special, and it gives you a peek into what your child actually enjoys, which can be really useful when you’re planning activities in the future. 

The key with screen time is moderation and balance. You’ll need to mix it with other activities, and make sure you always keep things age-approrpriate. As long as there’s time for offline fun as well, screen time can be the perfect addition to the day to keep kids entertained for free. 

Enjoy The Slow Days

The fact is that not every day has to be totally jam-packed with activities, and kids thrive on routine, which should include some downtime as well as things to do. So if they want to lounge around in their pyjamas some days, or build blanket forts to watch a film from, or even just potter about not doing much at all, that’s fine. 

These slower days are very often the ones they’re going to remember the most, and it’s not because something exciting happened, it’s because they just felt relaxed, safe, and free to just be themselves and do what they want, and that’s a lot more important than many people realise. 

And don’t forget, your own downtime is crucial as well, and if you’re constantly hunting for things for the kids to do, you’re never going to be able to relax, so if that means the kids are a little bit bored and have to find their own entertainment every now and then, that’s not a bad thing at all.