10 Kid’s Summer Activities Using Dollar Tree Items
Hip2Save may earn a small commission via affiliate links in this post. Read our full disclosure policy here.
If you’re looking for simple but fun activities that the kiddos can do this summer without breaking the bank, consider heading to your local Dollar Tree! You can grab most of these items for just $1 each to make the following easy activities/crafts – or you may even have some of these items on hand already!
1.) Pool Noodle Sprinkler
Supplies Needed:
- Pool Noodle $1
- Sprinkler from home
Just poke holes in the pool noodle, cover one end with duct tape, insert hose in the opposite end and turn on water. Enjoy!
Result:
2.) Magnetic Activity Board (or Chalkboard)
Supplies Needed:
- Baking Sheet $1
- Magnets or Chalk $1
- Chalkboard Paint (optional – can buy at Walmart)
Grab a baking sheet and some magnetic letters or chalk (if you choose to make the chalkboard) and let the kids use it as an activity board in the car!
Result:
3.) Color Mixing Paint Station
Supplies Needed:
- Egg Plate or Veggie Tray $1
- Paint $1
- Paintbrushes $1
- Paper from home
Keep the paints contained and give the kids a fun way to mix their paints with this easy idea!
Result:
4.) DIY Birdbath
Supplies Needed:
- Plate or Tray $1
- Large Clear Bowl $1
- Colorful Rocks or Stones $1
- Plastic Birds $1
The kids can create their own birdbath and watch the birds flock to it all summer!
Result:
5.) Hula Hoop Bubbles
Supplies Needed:
- Hula Hoop $1
- Bubbles $1
- Baby Pool from home
Who doesn’t love bubbles? Fill a baby pool with bubbles and create GIANT bubbles with hula hoops!
Result:
6) 2-Ingredient Play Dough
Supplies Needed:
- Conditioner $1 (or use what you have at home)
- Cornstarch from home
If you’re looking for something fun to do with the kiddos, try making this easy homemade play dough using just conditioner and cornstarch!. The result is a super soft play dough you can mold.
Result:
7.) Paper Clip Jewelry
Supplies Needed:
- Paper Clips $1
- Washi Tape or Duct Tape $1
- Optional Beads or Small Pendants $1
Check out this super cute and fun to make DIY jewelry using paper clips and craft tape – so fun!
Result:
8.) Craft Stick Bracelets
Supplies Needed:
- Craft Sticks $1
- Decorative Craft Washi Tape $1
- Mod Podge Decoupage $1
- Scrapbook Paper $1
Make fun wearable bracelets out of ordinary craft sticks! Simply boil jumbo craft sticks in water to soften the wood, shape into curved bracelets, and then embellish or paint them however you’d like.
Result:
9.) Duct Tape Pouches
Supplies Needed:
- Quart sized slider bags
- Duct tape in various colors or patterns
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Sharpie
Try making these simple pouches with duct tape and slider bags that are super handy for holding pencils, crayons, jewelry, craft supplies, or even money. The kids will love them!
Result:
10.) Shaving Cream Marbled Paper
Supplies Needed:
- Shaving Cream $1
- Wood Skewers or Toothpicks $1
- White Card Stock Paper $1
- Ruler $1
- 9×13 Baking Dish $1
- Disposable Gloves $1
- Food Coloring from home
Try marbling paper using shaving cream and food coloring to make really cool artwork!
Result:
Written by Mary for Hip2Save. Mary is a proud mom to 3 kids in Austin, TX, who thrives off running long distance, bargain shopping, warm weather, a yummy latte…and a little Candy Crush from time to time. She loves quality time with family & friends and sharing great deals with others.
Just wanted to say that even though my daughter is still too little … I can’t wait to do some of things with her. Thanks ladies these are awesome ideas
I bought cheap nylon brushes at the dollar store and then we take a bucket of water and go “paint with water” on the sidewalk or driveway. Son loves it and it’s just water. No real cleanup then either.
You can crush up some sidewalk chalk that is too small to color with and add it to the water too. my kids get a bit messy with it but spend a long time playing with it!
We used to “paint the house” like this! Just when they were about finished with one section it would dry and they could do it again!
Wow! Thank you! I teach preschool and can’t wait to share this with my parents next week, and try some of these during summer camp! Thank you, we’re always looking for affordable fun diy activities.
The marbled paper would be a good idea for invitations.
I’m a little bit annoyed by this post. Annoyed that I can never come up with these awesome ideas on my own! Thanks for the tips!!!!
What great ideas!! 💡 thank you so much!!
Love these!!
Super impressed! Thanks! Can’t wait to try them
Great ideas!
We’ve done scavenger hunts at Dollar Tree. I gave the kids a list of 10-12 items to search for and $10 and then we compared their purchases. For example, something to do with summer, something cute, something blue, something furry, something beginning with an R, something for you, etc.
I love the egg tray for sorting paints! I recently ordered a paint palette from Hollar and it’s so cute, but egg trays are much easier to find.
Can anyone think of an easy, sturdy handle for the hula hoop bubble wand? There was a similar sized one in the bubble room at Wonder Works and it was easily our favorite part of the experience but the wand meant you could loop a bubble tunnel over another person (it also means I could play without getting soapy! lol) I’d love to recreate this at home.
You could use a large plastic embroidery hoop. I find them on thrift shops all the time! Take one of the rings out now you have 2 hoops you can drill a hole through the ring and screw to a piece of dowel. Now you’ve got a handle!
MommySpendsLess,
Maybe a short length of pvc pipe notched on each side of one end would work. You could either super glue it to the hoop, or use duct tape to secure it.
Hope it works!
These are all great ideas. My grandkids are going to have a ball this Summer!
Absolutely love this! Very amazing to keep kids active and stay connected to them! Also awesome way to keep them at home and away from the heat.
I love the bird bath idea. Ever since elementary school when we’d get to clean our desks with shaving cream, I’ve been weirdly obsessed with it. I can’t wait to try the shaving cream marbled paper!