We all know the tell-tale sound of a child loudly whining that he or she is “booooored.” It’s a common ailment during the endlessly long, unbearably hot stretch of summer months. All too often, kids resort to cooping themselves up in the house, listlessly watching television for hours on end. But there are so many more ways they can occupy their time! Here are 50 easy, low-cost, non-electronic ideas for activities kids can do to fill their time during the summer months.

1. Read a book series

2. Play dress-up.

3. Write in a journal.

4. Have a water gun fight.

5. Learn to double-jump a jump rope.

6. Train a pet.

7. Play board games.

8. Spend a night (or two) outside, watching the stars.

9. Draw an original picture.

10. Learn how to whistle.

11. Go swimming (in a pool, pond or lake).

12. Bake their favorite dessert.

13. Write a letter to your previous teacher.

14. Play on a slip ‘n slide. (You just need a tarp and some dish soap!)

15. Make (and throw) water balloons.

16. Color (a drawing of their own design, or in a coloring book – they make advanced ones with different themes for older kids).

17. Come up with and put on a skit.

18. Experiment with making popsicles (just freeze some fruit juice!)

19. Learn a memory verse or two.

20. Play hopscotch.

21. Finger-paint (or face paint, if you’re daring).

22. Learn to sew/crochet/knit.

23. Make s’mores.

24. Make a model of the universe (or the Earth).

25. Tie-dye a t-shirt.

26. Collect insects in a “home” (an old jar or bottle filled with grass and with holes poked in it.)

27. Make puppets (sock or paper bag style.)

28. Learn to braid hair/paint fingernails. (Sorry, boys.)

29. Write and illustrate a story.

30. Dribble a soccer ball or basketball.

31. Choreograph a dance routine.

32. Play a card game.

33. Learn a new skill (skateboarding, hula hooping, cartwheeling, or riding a bicycle or tricycle!)

34. Plant a small garden.

35. Do some stretches.

36. Go to the library.

37. Visit an elderly neighbor or relative.

38. Go to a museum or a park.

39. Throw a Frisbee.

40. Clean out your closet. (Donate clothes you’ve outgrown and toys you no longer play with.)

41. Write a letter to soldiers overseas.

42. Take a walk.

43. Start up a lemonade stand (with supervision!)

44. Make homemade Christmas cards (it’s never too early to start!)

45. Have a picnic.

46. Fly a kite.

47. Learn to play chess (or checkers.)

48. Learn how to skip rocks.

49. Have a scavenger hunt for all the loose change around your house.

50. Make a flower crown or bracelet (use weeds, monkey grass, flowers, etc.!)