FREE Kids' Activities This Weekend (Plus Printable Crafts!)

Hey mama! 🌟 Can you believe how fast this week flew by? I was just looking at my calendar this morning (okay, let's be honest - it was taped to my fridge with three different colored pens scribbled all over it), and I realized the weekend is almost here. You know what that means - time to keep those little ones entertained without breaking the bank!

I don't know about you, but my kids seem to have this magical ability to get bored the second Saturday morning arrives. Last weekend, my 7-year-old Sophie literally said she was "dying of boredom" at 8:47 AM. Drama queen much? 😅

So I've put together this awesome list of completely FREE activities you can do with your kiddos this weekend, plus some adorable printable crafts that won't cost you a penny (well, except for the ink and paper you already have at home).

Free Community Events This Weekend

Before we dive into the at-home fun, let me share some amazing free events happening in most communities. I always check these sources first:

Your local library - Seriously, libraries are goldmines! Most have story time, craft sessions, or even puppet shows on weekends

Parks and recreation departments - Many offer free nature walks, playground activities, or seasonal events

Museums - Check if yours has free admission days or special family programs

Community centers - Often host free family movie nights or craft workshops

Local Facebook groups - Other parents are always sharing kid-friendly events

Pro tip: I have all these websites bookmarked on my phone, and I check them every Thursday night while meal planning. It takes maybe 10 minutes, but it saves me so much stress when Saturday rolls around!

Outdoor Adventures (That Cost Nothing!)

Weather permitting, getting outside is always my go-to. Here are some activities that have been lifesavers for my family:

Nature scavenger hunts - I make simple lists like "find something red," "spot a bird," or "collect three different leaves"

Sidewalk chalk masterpieces - We have a whole driveway gallery going right now!

Backyard camping - Even if it's just setting up a blanket fort and having "camp snacks"

Photography walks - Give kids your old phone or a disposable camera to document the neighborhood

Garden exploration - Let them help water plants, look for bugs, or start seeds in small containers

Last month, we did a "bug investigation" in our backyard, and my kids were fascinated for hours. They found ants, a couple of beetles, and what Sophie insisted was "definitely a fairy house" under our rose bush. Sometimes the simplest activities are the most magical!

Indoor Fun When You're Stuck at Home

Rainy day? Kids feeling under the weather? Sometimes we just need to stay inside, and that's perfectly okay! Here are my tried-and-true indoor activities:

Build an epic blanket fort - Use chairs, couch cushions, and every sheet you own

Kitchen science experiments - Baking soda volcanoes, rainbow milk with food coloring, or dancing raisins in soda

Indoor treasure hunt - Hide small toys or treats around the house with simple clues

Dance party - Put on your favorite playlist and let them burn off energy

Puppet show theater - Use socks, paper bags, or just their hands

Cooking together - Let them measure, mix, and create simple snacks

I remember one particularly crazy afternoon when both kids were bouncing off the walls. I gave them each a spray bottle with water and told them they were "cleaning fairies" who needed to dust all the baseboards. They thought it was the best game ever, and my house got a little cleaner. Win-win!

FREE Printable Crafts You Can Do Right Now

Okay, this is where I get really excited! I've been collecting and creating printable activities for years, and I want to share some of my absolute favorites with you. All you need is a printer and some basic supplies you probably already have:

Easy Paper Crafts:

Coloring pages - Websites like Crayola.com and PBS Kids offer hundreds of free options

Paper dolls - Print, color, cut out, and create whole families

Origami animals - Start simple with frogs or cranes

Paper plate masks - Print templates and let them decorate with crayons, markers, or stickers

Learning Activities:

Alphabet bingo - Great for practicing letter recognition

Number matching games - Print numbers and corresponding dot patterns

Word search puzzles - Age-appropriate versions for different reading levels

Connect-the-dots - Always a hit with my younger kids

My favorite resource is honestly Pinterest - just search "free printable kids activities" and you'll find enough ideas to last months! I also love Education.com and Teachers Pay Teachers (filter for free resources).

Money-Saving Craft Supply Tips

Before you think you need to run out and buy craft supplies, let me share my secret stash locations:

Your recycling bin - Cardboard boxes, toilet paper rolls, and clean containers are crafting gold

Old magazines and catalogs - Perfect for collages and cutting practice

Natural materials - Leaves, rocks, and sticks from your yard

Kitchen supplies - Cotton swabs, coffee filters, and aluminum foil work great for art projects

Your junk drawer - Rubber bands, paper clips, and old buttons can become craft supplies

Making It Work for Your Family

Here's the thing - not every activity will work for every kid, and that's totally normal! My youngest loves anything messy and hands-on, while Sophie prefers quieter activities like drawing or puzzles. I've learned to have a few different options ready and let them choose what sounds fun.

Also, don't feel like you need to plan every single minute of their weekend. Some of my kids' best memories come from unstructured time when they had to use their imagination to create their own fun.

What are your family's favorite free activities? I'm always looking for new ideas to add to my arsenal! Drop a comment below and let me know what works for your crew. And if you try any of these suggestions this weekend, I'd love to hear how it goes!

Happy weekend, mama - you've got this! 💕