9 Free or Affordable Ways to Keep Your Kids Busy

Let’s be real, the task of keeping your kids busy, happy and entertained without spending a fortune (or handing them a screen every 10 minutes) can often feel like an Olympic sport. Especially during those school breaks, long weekends or rainy days when everyone’s starts bouncing off the walls before 9 a.m.

As a mom of two very energetic boys (bless their little hearts), I’ve had to get creative so many times. Over the years, I’ve literally tested all kinds of low-cost activities and I’ve learned one important truth. You don’t need to spend a lot to keep them happy and busy.

I have compiled a list of my 9 favourite affordable boredom busters below that truly help making those days a little easier and a lot more fun.

1. Sticker Book Challenges

I always and by that I mean ALWAYS, keep a stash of reusable sticker books on hand and let the kids create their own “scenes” or stories. You’d be shocked to see how long this holds their attention and the best part is that they’re mess-free, which is a huge win in my book.

Sneaky mom trick:

Host a “sticker contest” with different themes and let them present their creations like they are running an art show. In my book, cheap + creative = gold.

My children absolutely love the National Geographic Animal Sticker Book from their kids series. Also, big bundles like THIS one that has 1000+ stickers. This way, they have a lot of options for their stories, are also a favourite of theirs and keep them occupied for an loooong time.

2. Obstacle Course at Home

In fact, this one is so much easier than it actually sounds.

Using pillows, chairs, masking tape and a little imagination, we build obstacle courses indoors or in our yard. If you want to level up, try adding colorful floor dots or hula hoops for jump targets.

It burns a lot of their energy and also gives you 20 maybe even 30 minutes to sip your coffee in peace. (Ask me how I know.) To conclude, the longer the obstacle course, the better for everyone involved.

3. Make Your Own Pizza Night

This activity was suggested to us parents when my oldest was still in Pre-K. It is a great and very affordable STEM activity to do at home, whilst also introducing the kids to cooking. Thank you Ms. Lauren!

Let them roll their own dough, pick toppings, and build their masterpiece. I use this affordable pizza kit for kids to make it a little more fun for them, and I always keep a mini rolling pin just for them.

And, let’s not forget the big bonus: Dinner is also ready.

4. Scavenger Hunts (With a Twist)

This might be the most requested activity in our house.

First of all, we love indoor and outdoor scavenger hunts. From the simplest ones to the most elaborate and well thought out easter egg hunts.  Suffice to say, we are adventurous. I’ll either print a checklist and hide things around the house or use this ready-made scavenger hunt card deck that my kids are obsessed with. Totally worth every penny (it’s very affordable but you get what I mean), as we’ve used it more times than I can count!

Sneaky mom trick:  Add a small prize at the end like these glow-in-the-dark bracelets or stickers and watch the motivation skyrocket.

5. Paint the Bathtub

Okay, hear me out. I do understand that letting your kids paint the bathtub with washable paints or bathtub crayons might sound a little wild. But, it’s honestly one of the most genius forms of messy play I’ve ever tried. They get to simultaneously unleash their creativity by doodling on the walls, mix colours and basically turn bath time into their own personal art studio. It feels like they’re making a giant mess (which they love), but the magic is that it all washes away with a quick rinse.

And the best part? When they’re done painting, they’re already in the tub, so cleanup is practically built in. It’s playtime and bath time rolled into one, and every time we do it, I wonder why I ever tried to keep art and water separate in the first place.

Read more: 50 Free and Fun Activities to Enjoy with Your Kids

6. Build-a-Fort Afternoon

There’s something about pillows, sheets, and a little imagination that turns an ordinary afternoon into a full-blown adventure. Building forts is one of those timeless activities that never gets old. Kids simply love the freedom to create their own secret space, and honestly, I love watching them turn into little architects in the process.

Moreover, if you want to take the whole thing up a notch, consider grabbing a set of fort-building sticks and connectors. They give just enough structure to spark their creativity without taking over the fun. Add a flashlight, a cozy blanket, and a few snacks, and suddenly you’ve got a kid-free hour on your hands while they hide out in their masterpiece.

It’s budget-friendly, screen-free and endlessly entertaining, which is basically what every parent is looking for.

7. Lego or Building Block Challenges

One of our favorite quiet-time activities is doing mini “build-offs” with LEGO bricks using themed challenge cards. The boys love the structure and competition, and I love that they’re staying engaged, focused, and off screens. Sometimes we each pick a card and race to build our own versions, and other times we set a timer and challenge them to build something big, like a city or a theme park, before time runs out.

It turns into this wonderful mix of creativity, concentration and a little friendly rivalry… which in turn gives me a few blissful minutes of peace while they’re totally immersed in the task.

8. DIY Science Experiments

My oldest loves chemistry. He did since he was really young, in fact was fascinated by it for years and still is.  Therefore, I always keep a small bin of supplies, baking soda, vinegar, food coloring and pull it out for science afternoons. He loves teaching his younger brother everything he reads about.

When I’m in the mood to splurge a bit once in a while, I go with these kid-friendly science kit that have all the ingredients ready to go and include a booklet with step-by-step experiments for them to conduct together. Furthermore, these have been by far his most requested Birthday/Christmas gift from family and friends for the last couple of years.

Messy? Yes. Worth it? 100%.

9. Puzzle Races

Even though your kids might not be big on puzzles, just like mine. I bet you they’ll totally be into puzzle races.

We each get a small 100 piece puzzle and race to see who finishes first. Sometimes we do boys vs. parents, other times it’s a solo speed challenge. It’s screen-free fun that also builds focus and problem-solving.

To summarize, you don’t need to drop $100 on a play center or sign up for endless activities to keep your kids entertained. With a little planning (and a few clever finds), you can create fun, creative and screen-free moments that don’t break the bank or most importantly your sanity.

Just try rotating a few of these into your week, and watch your kids get busy, engaged, and maybe even a little more independent. And hey, if that gives you time to drink your coffee while it’s still hot, I’d call that a win.

With love and financial empowerment,

E

*I only endorse things I have personally used or come highly recommended by friends and family. If you grab anything I mention using my referral links, I may get a small commission. However, there’s no extra cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.*