Free Summer Activities Your Sitter Can Do With Your Kids

With the summer in full swing, your child is out of school and it’s becoming more and more difficult for your babysitter to keep them entertained. There are many hours in the day and your child deserves a break from their summer homework (if they’ve started it yet). In our world nowadays, it seems like everything costs money, so it can be difficult to have a fun summer on a budget or when you do not want to spend more money than you have to. Don’t even worry! There are still plenty of fun activities your babysitter and child can do this summer. Here are the best free summer activities your sitter can do with your kids.

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Run Through the Sprinklers

A free and easy way to keep your kid entertained and cool in the summer heat is to let your kid run through the sprinklers. Even your sitter wouldn’t mind joining in on the fun! In the summer, your sprinklers turn on anyway to help water your grass, so why not kill two birds with one stone this summer?

If you have a yard and sprinklers, you can show your babysitter the switch to turn them on and off so that they can control when your child is running through them. If they’re on a timer instead, inform your sitter of its schedule so they can anticipate it. Just make sure your child has a bathing suit ready so their regular clothes aren’t getting soaked!

Go to the Beach

If you happen to live close to a beach, this might be another great option for your babysitter and kid to stay cool and have fun. While not all beaches are free, many of them are! Look into the beaches near you and see their prices so you know if this is a viable option. Many beaches have special kid-free days or free-for-everyone days, so also keep an eye on the schedule so you know which days work best for you and your wallet.

However, you need to be prepared for the beach! Sunscreen, towels, bathing suits, snacks and water, umbrellas, and more. If you do not already own all the necessities for the beach, it might end up spending more money, unless your sitter can take your kid there enough that it pays itself off!

Bicycle Rides

If your child is active and has access to a bicycle, the summer is the perfect time to dust it off and go for a bike ride! Bicycle rides can be done in many different fashions, but the best two are casual rides around the neighborhood or going to a bike trail. The options can last different lengths depending on your kids’ level and comfort on the bike. If your babysitter also likes to bike, it could be fun for the two of them to head out on a trail together! If they need something more casual, the neighborhood is just fine.

If your babysitter is not much of a biker, they can let your child ride close by to your home so long as they keep their eyes on your child and they do not stray too far. They can even make an obstacle course with supplies at home that your children will have to ride around! Just do not block any important traffic.

However, your sitter and child cannot and should not go biking if it is too hot. This only puts their health in danger! Your babysitter should not suggest biking on days with temperatures higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit, or maybe even 80. Also, your babysitter needs to pack water! They’ll get thirsty, even in lower temperatures.

Picnic

Another fantastic free activity your sitter and kids can do this summer is to have a picnic! There is just something about eating outside on a blanket that makes lunchtime or dinner so much more fun, and I’m sure your kids will agree! You do not need your sitter to travel anywhere fancy; a backyard or local park will do the job perfectly.

All your sitter needs to do is prepare a meal, like sandwiches and cut up fruit and vegetables, chips, and anything else your child likes, grab a blanket, and eat outside! You never know what can happen on a picnic. Your child can run around, practice their cartwheels, or even roll down a hill! Hope they’re not wearing their Sunday best!

Go to the Park

Speaking of parks, they are another fun and free activity your babysitter can do with your kids. Swing sets, slides, forts, and all that jazz are going to entice your children for hours!

Go to a Museum

Yes, many museums do require you to pay for the tickets, however many local libraries offer free passes to the museums nearby! Not all children are going to enjoy wandering around them, but there are also museums specifically for children! If this is something you think your kids may be interested in, take a look at the ones in your local area and if there are any summer specials or offers from your library.

Scavenger Hunt

Lastly, you or your babysitter can set up a scavenger hunt in your yard or around your home! Leave clues that lead to different locations so that your child takes time to solve and get through it and maybe even end up with a prize if they complete it, such as ice cream for dinner! These can be really fun for both your kids and sitters as they work together to help solve it!

There are plenty of different free summer activities your sitter can do with all different types of kids. Choose what works best for you and your children to have a more fun summer with less spending!