Fun Ideas for Families Who Want to Do Less and Enjoy More this Holiday Weekend!
Thanks to social media, it’s easy to feel like you’re not doing enough for your kids over a holiday weekend unless you’ve booked a resort, ordered matching red-white-and-blue outfits, and captured the whole thing in slow-motion drone footage.
But let’s be honest: that’s not real life. And it’s certainly not real parenting.
Kids don’t need fireworks every hour. They don’t need expensive electronics, concert tickets, or grand adventures.
What they need is a chance to move, play, explore, get a little dirty, and feel connected.
And here’s the real parenting truth nobody puts on Instagram: it’s okay if they’re bored. In fact, boredom can be a gift. It creates space for creativity, imagination, and yes—even rest.
No matter if you’re at home, visiting family, or hanging out in the backyard, these old-fashioned (but still awesome) ideas will help you keep the kids busy—without losing your mind or your wallet.
So if you’re trying to plan a low-budget, low-pressure, high-fun Memorial Day weekend, this one’s for you!
1. Turn a Water Balloon Fight Into the Main Event
Perfect for: Backyard energy bursts, cousins in town, or when the day needs a little chaos (and laughter)
Water balloons might be old-school, but they’ve still got legendary status for a reason. Kids of every age love them—and the best part is, they’re easy, affordable, and burn through energy fast.
Instead of a free-for-all, make it feel like an event. Set up two buckets (one for each “team”), divide the yard with chalk or string, and create rules—like a safe zone, a balloon toss competition, or a “protect the fort” game.
For smaller kids, keep it gentle with toss challenges or just aim at drawn targets on a fence or sidewalk.
Want cleanup to double as fun? Let the kids hose off, run through sprinklers, or “wash the deck” with sponges afterward. It’s the kind of chaos that ends in smiles—and tired kids.
Water Balloon Fight Essentials:
- Rapid-Fill Water Balloon Kit – Fill 100 balloons in seconds without tying
- Pop-Up Recycling Bin Set – Use them as “team buckets” or refill stations
2. Throw a Controlled Food Fight (Yes, Really)
Perfect for: Brave parents, backyard laughs, and teens or tweens who think they’ve “outgrown” fun
It sounds wild—but with a little prep, a food fight can become the most talked-about memory of the weekend. You don’t need full meals or anything fancy.
Use things like whipped cream, shaving cream, cooked spaghetti, mashed bananas, or pudding cups. It’s cheap, safe, and hilarious.
Choose a small, easy-to-hose area like the driveway or a grassy patch. Hand out old T-shirts or ponchos, set a timer for 5 minutes, and go for it.
Want to really catch your kids off guard? Have you and your spouse (or another adult) launch the first splat without warning. The look on their faces when they realize Mom and Dad just started a food fight? Priceless.
Make cleanup part of the fun—hose, sprinklers, or just buckets of water. It’s silly, sensory, and an unexpected break from screen time or complaints about being bored.
Food Fight Essentials:
- Colored Shaving Cream Spray Cans – Safe, soft, and dramatic splat value
- Disposable Rain Poncho Set – Keeps clothes clean and kids focused on fun
Available from Amazon.com [ad]
3. Chalk Games, Hopscotch, and Backyard Classics
Perfect for: Younger kids, mixed ages, or when you just need something low-key and mess-free
Sidewalk chalk isn’t just for scribbles—it can turn your driveway into a full-blown activity zone.
Draw classic hopscotch, create a “chalk city” with roads and stores, or sketch out an obstacle course with arrows, zigzags, and silly commands (“do five jumping jacks!” or “spin in a circle!”).
Older kids can get creative designing sidewalk murals or challenge each other to a timed drawing contest. Want to add a twist? Use beanbags or rocks to turn chalk art into toss games or mini targets.
This is one of those activities that feels old-fashioned because it is—and that’s exactly what makes it refreshing. It keeps everyone moving, imagining, and working together—without a screen in sight.
Chalk Time Essentials:
- Jumbo Sidewalk Chalk Set – Bright colors, oversized pieces, and washable fun
- Outdoor Beanbag Toss Game – Adds extra play options to chalk targets
Available from Amazon.com [ad]
5. Plant Something (or Go Pick Something!)
Perfect for: Slower afternoons, younger kids, or when you want a low-energy activity that still feels productive
Gardening with kids isn’t just cute—it’s hands-on, educational, and surprisingly calming.
Give each child a small pot or patch of dirt and a packet of seeds—sunflowers, zinnias, or marigolds are perfect starters.
Add their name on a plant marker and let them take responsibility for watering it all summer long.
If you’re in an apartment or don’t have a yard, potted herbs on the windowsill totally count—and so do patio planters.
Want to take it a step further? Check your area for pick-your-own strawberry farms. This time of year, they’re popping up everywhere and make for a sweet family outing that doesn’t break the bank.
Gardening taps into something really special: it slows everyone down and reminds kids that good things grow with care.
Also, dirt + kids = peace and quiet for a good 45 minutes!
Garden Day Essentials:
- Kids’ Gardening Tool Set – Perfectly sized and actually functional
- Sunflower Seed Kit – Fast-growing, dramatic, and exciting for little gardeners
Available from Amazon.com [ad]
6. Go for a Family Bike Ride and Picnic
Perfect for: Mild mornings, late afternoon rides, or burning off sugar between meals
There’s something delightfully retro about loading up the bikes and heading out for a family ride.
It doesn’t need to be long or fancy—just a loop around the neighborhood, a local trail, or even laps around a school parking lot can feel like an adventure with the right attitude.
To make it extra special, pack a simple picnic. Think peanut butter sandwiches, baby carrots, chips, and a few cookies tucked in wax paper.
A red-and-white blanket, some reusable cups, and a cooler backpack turn it into an actual event—even if you’re just sitting at the edge of a park bench or playground.
You can even turn it into a “destination ride”—ride to a lemonade stand, the local library, or a favorite ice cream shop. It doesn’t cost much, but it leaves your kids feeling like they went somewhere.
Picnic Ride Essentials:
- Adult Tricycle – These are a dream for remaining stable when pulling a trailer and have handy baskets for storage
- Trailer – Keeps the little kids safe and comfortable on your bike ride
- Handlebar Cooler Bag – Doubles as a mini picnic basket
- Foldable Picnic Blanket – Lightweight, washable, and cute for photos
7. Set Up a Lemonade Stand or Bake Sale (With Heart)
Perfect for: Budding entrepreneurs, neighborhoods with foot traffic, or teaching kids the joy of giving
There’s something timeless about a good old-fashioned lemonade stand—and kids love the sense of ownership it gives them.
Help them create a handwritten sign, decorate a little folding table with a flag bunting, and whip up a batch of lemonade (from scratch or store-bought—we’re not judging). Toss in a few baked treats if you’re feeling fancy.
You can keep it super low-key or use it as a chance to raise money for something meaningful—a local veterans’ charity, the family vacation jar, or just a little spending cash they’ve earned themselves.
Don’t forget to talk about things like kindness, making change, and greeting customers. These tiny moments are packed with life lessons, confidence boosts, and connection—not to mention a side of sticky sweetness.
Patriotic Stand Essentials:
- Lemonade Stand and Decor – Instantly charming and sweet!
- Patriotic Paper Treat Boxes – For wrapping cookies, muffins, or brownies
Available from Amazon.com [ad]
8. Host Backyard Olympics (The Goofier, the Better)
Perfect for: Mixed age groups, cousins in town, or when you need to burn off energy without screens
Turn your yard (or driveway) into a low-stakes Olympic arena. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s laughter.
Think spoon races, water-cup relays, hula hoop challenges, or crab-walking across the grass. Use laundry baskets as goals, jump ropes as boundaries, and sidewalk chalk for your “event map.”
Assign team names (“Team Popsicle” vs. “Team Firecracker”) and create goofy prizes: paper medals, popsicles for the winners, or a badge made from duct tape and a bottle cap.
This kind of activity isn’t just fun—it brings out creativity, teamwork, and the best kind of sibling rivalry.
Plus, it gives older kids a role in planning and leading the games, which keeps them from whining about being bored.
Olympics Essentials:
- Outdoor Obstacle Course Kit – Mix-and-match fun for all ages
- Patriotic Prize Ribbon Set – Simple, silly rewards for maximum hype
Available from Amazon.com [ad]
9. Bake Something and Deliver It to a Neighbor
Perfect for: Quiet mornings, calming activities after a loud day, or teaching kids how small gestures can matter
There’s something wonderfully grounding about baking with your kids—especially when the end goal is to share it. Choose a simple recipe (cookies, banana bread, or even store-bought dough with sprinkles) and let the kids do as much of the mixing and scooping as they can.
Then package up a few pieces in a treat box, write a sweet note, and walk it to a neighbor’s door. You can deliver to a veteran, a widow who lives alone, a busy mom next door, or just someone you want to thank for being kind.
It turns an everyday activity into a mission of encouragement—and helps shift your kids’ focus off themselves in the best way.
Sweet Delivery Essentials:
- Kids Baking Set – Everything little hands need to create fantastic baked goods!
- Patriotic Bakery Box Set – Pretty enough to gift, sturdy enough to hold warm cookies
Available from Amazon.com [ad]
10. Build an Old-Fashioned Soap Box Car (or Anything With Wheels!)
Perfect for: Older kids, dads who love a project, or when you want a weekend memory that sticks for years
If you’re looking for something a little more involved—but still totally doable—consider building a simple soap box car or go-kart-style push racer.
It doesn’t need to be perfect or even fast. The point is to build something together, using wood, wheels, paint, and a little imagination.
You can find plenty of tutorials online, or keep it super basic: a wooden crate, four wheels, and a rope steering system.
Decorate it with stars, stripes, or even your family’s “team name,” then race it down the driveway or just push each other around the backyard.
And if building from scratch isn’t your thing? Let the kids turn a cardboard box into their own “car,” plane, or rocket with markers, stickers, and imagination. The creative process is where the magic happens.
Soap Box Fun Essentials:
- DIY Go-Kart Axle & Wheel Kit – A great starter set for real racers
- Patriotic Duct Tape – Decorate with red, white, and blue flair
Available from Amazon.com [ad]
11. Let Them Be Bored (It’s Not Illegal!)
Perfect for: Literally everyone, every age, and especially burned-out parents who need a break
Here’s your reminder: you don’t have to fill every moment. In fact, boredom is one of the best gifts you can give your kids.
It teaches them how to be creative, how to solve problems, and how to play without constant stimulation.
You don’t need to schedule 17 Pinterest-perfect crafts or download another app. Just say, “Outside time.” Say, “Use what’s around you.” Say, “Figure it out.”
They’ll invent backyard games. Build something from sticks and a mop bucket. Write a chalk story on the driveway. Or stare at the sky and daydream. That space—unscripted, uncurated—is where childhood thrives.
Give them the tools, set the tone, and then step back. You’re not slacking off—you’re giving them something rare and wonderful: room to imagine.
Takeaway
You don’t need a big budget or a packed itinerary to give your kids a Memorial Day weekend they’ll remember.
With a little creativity, a few supplies, and a willingness to let go of the Pinterest pressure, you can give them something even better: time, freedom, laughter, and memories.
Keep it simple. Keep it meaningful. And let them be kids!
What to Read Next?
Share This Post
Know a mom who’s feeling overwhelmed by the holiday weekend expectations? Send this her way. We all need reminders that childhood fun doesn’t have to come with a receipt!
Last update on 2025-05-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
