Summer Party Games

by Hannah Walton aka The Cheapskate Mom

Summer is upon us and I personally couldn't be happier : though I have become a hardened New Englander at 31 years of age , there is nothing like the freedom of being able to go outside without five layers on. From the Cheapskate Mom perspective : summer is much less expensive to fill with fun – lakes, beaches, playgrounds, sidewalk chalk, sprinklers, walks around town, parades – there are so many fun and free activities for kids to pick from. If you have a summer birthday coming up – or just want to celebrate summer with a fun party – you are in luck. Bringing the celebration outdoors means the kids party games can be messier, louder , and cheaper.

I've scoured the web for you to find the absolute best of the best in cheapskate games for kids summer parties – and talked to the brilliant moms behind these fun ideas who have let me include their projects. Their creativity and commitment to making their kids' special days and birthdays incredible is inspiring. Be sure to also read Cheap Birthday Parties for Kids…

Lawn Twister
Tausha over at Sassy Style designed this incredible outdoor twister party game using spray paint. Incredible. I'm not sure how well it would work, but I did find this recipe for DIY spray paint from About.Com - hey – with just food coloring and water it might be worth a try! Read more about making a huge outdoor twister game!

 

 

 

Adventure Party
I absolutely love the Boy Heaven theme that Simone from Great Fun 4 Kids developed using tin cans, foliage, old tires and ropes. What little boy wouldn't love an obstacle course adventure at a summer party? This is such a wonderful and frugal theme while being as fun and cohesive as a professionally planned thousand dollar party. I mean – really – who needs a bouncy castle when you have a rope course? The kids won't know the difference. Read more about Simone's Boy Vs. Wild Adventure Party!

Giant Squishy Sensory Bag
I couldn't even believe how awesome this idea is when I saw it over at The Mommies Made Me Do It - a giant squishy sensory bag?! Imagine the wonder and excitement this would create when kids run into your backyard to be greeted by this wonderful creation! Again, who needs a bouncy castle when you have plastic sheeting, water, food coloring and duct tape!? Incredible. Read all about the giant squishy sensory bag here!

 

 

 

Bike Wash
This incredible show stopper of a summer party game  – from A Schmiford Life – is sure to be the talk of your friends for years to come – and all you need is some pvc piping, sponges and a hose (I found a detailed tutorial here). Use duct tape to make cute lanes for the bikes – and ask kids to BYOB (bring your own bike). Read all about the bike wash party here!

 

 

Bubble Refill Station

 

This bubble station from Mom's Crafty Space is sure to be a hit at a backyard party. DIY bubble solution and DIY bubble wands using old scraps of copper  – what a wonderful activity to complement your party games. Read more about the bubble refill station and copper bubble wands here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make Ice Cream
Educational and Yummy – this perfect summer birthday party idea from Major Mom is as frugal and fun as can be – a party treat and game all in one for the cost of milk, cream and sugar. Read more about Make Your Own Ice Cream here!