This is a guest post by Danielle! Learn more about the family friendly fun in Northeast Ohio at her site, Find Time for Fun.

Summer is here! With the kiddos out of school and the long warm summer days ahead of us, there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality time with your friends and family. Check out these fun, free and frugal ideas for Summertime fun at Home!

Water Balloons

Add balloons to your shopping list so you and the kids can try out some of these fun water balloon games. Look for a water balloon bag that has a plastic “water balloon filler” inside (we got ours at Marcs). It that attaches to a hose and makes filling the balloons so much easier! Now if only I could find an easy way to tie them…

Water Balloon Piñata – Fill your balloons, tie them from a tree limb and let the kids start swinging.
Water Balloon Obstacle Course – Create a water balloon filled course and see who can make it through without getting wet!
Water Balloon Batting Practice– Grab your bats, water balloons and start swinging! Kids can bat on their own or you can get into the fun by pitching the balloons to them.

Sidewalk Chalk

A pack of sidewalk chalk can go a long way. My kids can spend hours decorating the driveway with their artwork. Need some additional inspiration, try out these ideas.

Sidewalk Chalk City – Turn your driveway into a village with roads, houses, buildings and more! Then let your kids use their cars, trucks and imaginations!
Squeeze Bottle Sidewalk Chalk – Try out this unique twist on sidewalk chalk. Requires cornstarch, food coloring and water bottles.
Duck, Duck, GOOSE – Draw a large circle using sidewalk chalk and then sit around the perimeter playing Duck, Duck, Goose. Make it educational by having each person name different animals as they tap people on the head (not just Duck).
Target Practice – Draw a bulls-eye on the sidewalk and take turns tossing a quarter toward the center to see who gets closest.

Bubbles

Most young children start squealing when you pull out the bubbles. Just using the little plastic wand will result in enjoyment, but adding in these little extras and fun games make it even more exciting.
Homemade Bubble Wand – Drinking straws and a little tape turn into an amazing multiple bubble blowing wand.
Rainbow Bubble Snakes – Now here is a use for those socks that you are missing a match for.
Bubble Painting – Just be sure your kids are old enough to remember to blow out of the straw!
Make Giant Bubbles – Find a wire clothes hanger and bend it into a wand to make bubbles larger than your kids heads!

More Outdoor Fun & Games

Arguably the best part about summer is being outdoors so be sure to soak up the sun while you can.

Kickball – No special equipment or skills required! Grab a rubber ball a few bases (cardboard boxes work just fine) and you are all set. It’s a game the entire family can enjoy together
Relay Races – Map out a course in your backyard and add a few obstacles to make it even more challenging. Use a stop watch or your cell phone to time each child.
Go on a Walk or Bike Ride – Get some fresh air, a little exercise and say hi to a few neighbors while you are enjoying the beautiful summer day.

These are just a few of the fun and inexpensive ways you can have fun this summer without leaving the comfort of your own back yard.

What about you? What are your favorite things to do at home with your kids on summer days?

Don’t forget to find more fun tips and family events at Find Time for Fun