Trying to keep your kiddos occupied this summer without spending a small fortune? We've got you covered with some easy breezy summer activities for kids that cost little to nothing.

Inexpensive Summer Activities for Kids

Have a family picnic.

Grab an old throw blanket and pack some snacks for a family outing your little ones will love. This summertime activity can be done at the local park or even your own backyard, and it's a great way to make their same-old lunch seem extra special.

24-Pc Kids' Dinnerware Sets at Walmart, $4.80

Do art and crafts.

Arts and crafts can be as expensive or as cheap as you allow them to be, and nothing beats some Play-Doh or a bucket of sidewalk chalk for relatively cheap summer activities you can rely on all season long. Flip an old table upside down for a game of ring toss, use some old acrylic paint to transform rocks, or create a hopscotch area on your driveway to keep your littles entertained.

Play-Doh Cans at Walmart, 50 cents+

Play in the water.

Whether you buy some cheap water guns at the store or just break out the garden hose, your kids are sure to love splashing around in the water to help beat the heat. (This just so happens to be a great time to snag water slides, pools and inflatables at clearance prices, as well.)

Banzai Inflatable Water Slide at QVC, $5.93

Go camping indoors or outdoors.

Camping is always an ideal summertime activity -- and indoor/outdoor tents allow you to create the experience come rain or shine. Look for rollbacks and price breaks on backpacking tents for easy-to-assemble fun inside the house or at a nearby campground.

Wakeman Camping Tent at Walmart, $20.39

Start a family garden.

Remember the simple joys of stringing green beans with your grandmother? Recapture that magic by helping your kids plant flowers or start their very own vegetable or fruit garden. This is a great way to save on your grocery bills while teaching future generations how to grow their own food.

Make some sweet treats.

You don't need to spend a ton of money on ingredients to whip up some sweet treats on a hot summer day. In fact, lots of healthy alternatives only use a few items and can give your kids more confidence in the kitchen. From "nice" cream made with bananas as a base to no-bake cookies or fruit popsicles, there's plenty of options to keep your kids busy and well-fed.

2-Qt Ice Cream Maker at QVC, $21.33

Plan regular game nights.

We regularly see board games on sale throughout the year, so stocking up on the classics doesn't need to cost much in general. That being said, sometimes just grabbing a deck of cards or making your very own cornhole box is all it takes to keep competitive siblings entertained.

Go to the "drive-in" theater.

If you're like us, you probably get a decent amount of cardboard boxes throughout the month thanks to your online shopping. Put the giant ones to good use by setting up your very own drive-in movie theater and using the boxes as cars for the kids. Add some pillows and blankets to make them comfy, and then serve them up some popcorn, candy and drinks to go with their favorite movies.

2 Snickers Candy Bars at Walgreens, FREE

Plan a scavenger hunt.

Treat your kids to some fresh air courtesy of a family scavenger hunt. This activity can be totally free, or you can buy pre-made kits on sale for some instant inspiration. Join them as they look around the yard, neighborhood or local park for everything from specific-colored flowers to rocks, leaves and more.

Melissa & Doug Scavenger Hunt Set at Walmart, $12.96

Make photographic memories.

No expensive camera? No problem! Just grab your smartphone and start snapping photos with your kids. Make a day of it by looking for fun backdrops and settings, and then get prints made at Walgreens or CVS Photo to decorate the fridge or create a gallery wall.

Explore the great outdoors.

Get back to nature by going on walks at local hiking trails or exploring nearby parks. Whether you take some fruit and seeds to feed the geese or just spend time smelling the flowers for a change, this is a great way to get your kids out of the house -- especially in the mornings or evenings.

Check out free local activities.

From free kids' workshops to special savings on memberships, most cities offer lots of free activities to keep kids entertained all summer long. Look for opportunities at local petting zoos, libraries, museums and even retailers like JCPenney and Home Depot. Just going to the farmers' market, festivals and parades can make for some memorable family time that's easy on your budget.

Get active.

Summer's the perfect time to get more active as a family, so consider trying new hobbies together like roller-skating, biking and more. You'll find some excellent deals on gear right now, as well.

JoJo Siwa Rollerskates at Walmart, $7

Declutter for fun money.

Clean up your space and make a little extra spending money in the process by involving kids in a decluttering project. Have them sort through old toys and clothing with you, and then sell what you no longer want. Use the money toward bonus family activities to make cleaning up the house more fun (think pizza parties, movie outings, water parks and more.)