• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About/Hire Me
    • About Me
    • Hire Me
    • Contact
    • Family
    • Faith
    • FAQ
    • My Running Story
    • Recipes
  • Disney
  • Fitness
    • runDisney Information Page
    • Fitness
    • Races
  • Parenting
  • Travel

Through Heather's Looking Glass

  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • family
  • About Me

Entertaining Your Kids at Home on a Modest or Zero Budget Part 1

May 25, 2020 | family

This is a guest post on entertaining your kids at home this summer written by Bobby Montgomery. Also, this post contains affiliate links meaning if you purchase from my links I get a small commission.

Most parents have had a lot more time at home with their children lately. Schools are closed, daycares are operating on skeleton crews, and work-from-home seems to be a way of life these days. If you’re anything like us, you have spent a fair amount of time trying to figure out ways to entertain your kids. With any luck, you have been able to find some that do not involve your complete participation and attention. It’s kinda difficult to participate in a conference call or take notes on a webinar when
your child wants you to play with them. I completely understand my child’s boredom.

entertaining your kids


Kids need to get energy out. We want them to learn. Heather and I have tried a lot of different ideas for entertaining your kids over the past two months. Some entertainment ideas flopped as she got bored within five minutes. Other ideas, however, were a huge success. Below are some of the activities that we think are best for entertaining kids at home this summer:


A) Sidewalk chalk: Our daughter has spent many hours drawing all over our driveway. This not only encourages creativity but helps develop fine motor skills. Besides drawing artwork you can also find other creative things to do such as create a hopscotch or obstacle course – just a way
to have them hop, jump, and skip around to different squares or balance walk across a line. Sidewalk chalk is probably one of the greatest value purchases you can make. Amazon has it in stock here: Sidewalk Chalk.
You can also grab some painter’s tape to make an outline of a shape, have them color it in, and then remove the tape. You can lay the tape out for a great stain glass window effect.

entertaining your kids


B) Learn to ride a bike: We did a separate post on teaching EK to ride her bike here: Learn to ride a bike

entertaining your kids


C) Bird feeders from toilet paper rolls: We saved old paper towel rolls and toilet paper rolls for this project. All you have to do is let your child coat the outside of the roll in peanut butter then roll it in birdseed (most grocery stores will have cheap wild birdseed). You should probably run a
string through the roll before you start adding peanut butter or it can get a little messy. Punching a stick through is an added bonus as it will give the birds somewhere to land. This is great for entertaining your kids!


D) Slip ‘n Slide: This is one of those things I think most of us haven’t thought about since we were kids. The slides are relatively inexpensive and can be placed in most yards. Just hook up a hose and throw on some soap, bubble bath, etc. and you’re good to go. This is something our daughter can do completely alone once we set it up. Yes, you will have the occasional
“Mommy/Daddy watch this”, but will otherwise be able to get a few minutes of work done.

entertaining your kids


E) Planting…anything: A single pack of tomato seeds was more than enough for us to grow several plants in old party cups. A good responsibility teaching activity is to have your child be in charge of watering and taking care of the plants. You don’t need a green thumb to show
your kid how to put some potting soil into a cup, place a few seeds, and then have them cover the seeds with a thin layer of dirt.


F) Hiding Easter Eggs: You can hide plastic eggs or anything you have on hand, inside or outside. This is great for kindergarten and preschool age kids if you tell them you hid 10 eggs then have them count how many they find along the way. I encourage you to always count how many items you hide, else you end up finding an egg under a cushion months later, with the lawnmower, or never at all.

entertaining your kids


G) Blindfold sensory test: Cover your child’s head with a blindfold, towel, or whatever else you have around. Have them hold out their hands, then place an object in their hands. Make them guess what is it based on touch alone.


H) Jump-jump / bouncy houses: While this is more on the moderate budget side of things, the amount of time our daughter has used her bounce house has more than justified the purchase. This is a great way to get energy out. Try challenging them to see how long they can jump without stopping. Here is one similar to what we have. You could also go for the full bouncy
experience with this one. Disclaimer: they may be sold out by the time this post goes live. I know a lot of companies have run short on their stock of bouncy houses.


I) Hide and seek: I’m trying not to use some of the most obvious ideas in this post, but hide and seek is one of EK’s favorite things to do. Granted, she is still terrible at the concept of hiding. She will tell me to turn around so she can go hide in the closet or make a ton of noise getting under something. She has gotten a little better. She doesn’t always outright say “I’m going to hide behind the curtain” anymore. As long as she is entertained and feels loved because someone is playing with her, it’s a win, right?


J) Throw a Frisbee: This sounds like it would be too difficult for smaller kids, but EK has gotten the hang of it rather well. We don’t stand very far apart. I think most people have a Frisbee laying around somewhere – a very common promotional item. I think we caught ours at a Mardi Gras
parade. If not, here is an option that is lighter and softer than a regular Frisbee…or flying disk since I think “Frisbee” is actually a brand name: xxx

K) Roller skate: We are saving this one until she gets a bit older, but I remember how many hours I spent roller skating or rollerblading as a kid. It’s a good source of exercise and a great way to hang out with neighborhood friends. Don’t forget the protective gear, especially for children who are learning.


L) Inflatable pool: This has been a HUGE hit on hot days, and we have even gotten in to cool off! There are tons of varieties of these from the very cheap to more expensive but larger. For added shade, put up a tailgate tent over all or part of it. You can also open up black trash bags and set them on top of the water to heat it up faster. Just a little tip!


M) Throw/kick/hit/Catch…anything: We have lots of options here like tee ball, soccer balls, a plastic basketball goal, and more. We will throw a ball on the roof and see who can catch it on the way down. SO many things to do with cheaper sports equipment! Don’t underestimate the value of this activity!

Stay tuned for part two of Entertaining your kids at home on a modest or zero budget!

Like this:

Like Loading...

Sign up for my newsletter

Primary Sidebar

I am Heather Montgomery, a 30 something southern girl living in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband Bobby, 10-year-old daughter Emma Kate, and our goldendoodles Dolly and Luna. I’m just a regular girl who likes to workout, travel, hang with my family, text, and eat chips and queso. Be sure to check out my “about me” page for more info!
Thank you for visiting, and feel free to contact me with questions, (or for PR inquiries or press trip invites) at Support@HeathersLookingGlass.com.

Please, no guest post requests. 🙂

More about me

Privacy Policy

You can also find me here:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • 4 Things That Stop People From Exercising (And What To Do About Them)
  • 6 Tips for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
  • Family Fun in Tuscaloosa: Your Ultimate Getaway Beyond Game Day
  • 5 Reasons to Try a New Way of Travel
  • Experience Superhero-Sized Fun at Gaylord Opryland DC Summer

 

Search

How to Start a Blog

How to start a blog
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • Family
✨ Cooking together, laughing together, and makin ✨ Cooking together, laughing together, and making memories that’ll last a lifetime. 💖 (ad)

The Pampered Chef Kids Club Box has been a total game-changer for us! 🌮 It’s more than just a box of ingredients — it’s an experience that brings us closer while building valuable kitchen skills, confidence, and even a little STEM learning along the way! 🔬

The best part? NO auto-renewals! 🙌 You can try it when you’re ready, no strings attached.

💌 Comment the word “kids” for the link to start cooking up some fun with your family!

#PamperedChefKidsClub @PamperedChef
🍹✨ Checking into Margaritaville Resort Gatlin 🍹✨ Checking into Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg feels like stepping into vacation mode the second you arrive! (Ad)

From the laid-back tropical vibes in the lobby, to cozy rooms with mountain views, steps from downtown Gatlinburg, a pool made for relaxing, and even a fitness center — this resort has everything you need for the perfect Smoky Mountain getaway. 🏔️🌴

Would you stay here on your next trip to Gatlinburg?

#MargaritavilleResort #GatlinburgTN #SmokyMountains #ResortLife #MargaritavilleVibes #GatlinburgVacation #TravelTennessee #MountainGetaway #ResortTour
A peek behind the scenes of what a school morning A peek behind the scenes of what a school morning looks like around here. (Spoiler alert, it’s not as glamorous as some people think!)

Just a mom trying to get her kid out the door followed by procrastinating about work. Then I end up working late into the night instead. 😵‍💫🫣

🚨 If you would like a 🔗 to the lights in my laundry room just comment with the word LINK and I will DM it to you! 

#adayinthelife #momlifebelike #behindthescene #contentcreatorlife
Some days I feel strong. Other days, I feel like I Some days I feel strong. Other days, I feel like I’m sprinting to catch up with a finish line that keeps moving.

Turning 40 has me reflecting a lot — where I thought I’d be, where I actually am, and what “success” really means. Who is in charge of making those rules anyway? 👀

I don’t have it all figured out. But I’m learning that I’m not behind. I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
And if you’re struggling with this too… you’re not alone. 💛

#thisis40 #confessiontime #enneagram3 #whatissuccess #momconfessions
Recently, I had the opportunity to enjoy EPCOT’s Recently, I had the opportunity to enjoy EPCOT’s new adults only bar, Geo-82. ✨ 

It’s beautiful, sophisticated, and very nostalgic. The attention to detail is astounding! 

You can even purchase a fireworks package and sip and dine while watching the show with the music piped in and lights dimmed.

My fave? The brown butter old fashioned, complete with spaceship earth stamped ice cube. 🧊 🥃 

Reservations can be made 60 days in advance on the Walt Disney World app, and walk-ins are not accepted at this time. 

I will admit it’s pricey, so something I would save for a special occasion! Very cool experience though and would 10/10 go again! 

#epcot #geo82 #epcotdining #epcotfood #disneyrestaurants
Some of the Halloween merchandise I found recently Some of the Halloween merchandise I found recently at Walt Disney World. The pink ghosts are my favorite! 👻 

What is your fave? 

#disneyhalloween #bootoyou #disneymerchandise #disneyhalloweenmerchandise #mickeysnotsoscaryhalloweenparty
Hot girl summer? More like cozy girl autumn. 🍁 Hot girl summer? More like cozy girl autumn. 🍁

Are you ready for fall? Share with a fellow autumn lover (or cozy outfit lover!) 

#cozyvibesonly #fallisintheair #hoodieseaon #fallisintheair #relatablemom

Copyright © 2025 · Through Heather's Looking Glass · Theme by Bella Creative Studio

 

Loading Comments...
 

You must be logged in to post a comment.

    %d