Summer is a great time for families to make memories, keep kids active and strengthen bonds without spending a lot of money. With longer days and more flexible schedules, there are plenty of fun and affordable ways to enjoy the season right here in Nebraska. Whether you’re starting new traditions or just looking for fresh ideas, this list offers 10 low-cost Nebraska summer activities your whole family will enjoy.

10 Low-Cost Nebraska Summer Activities for Families

1. Visit a Local Splash Pad or Pool

Many communities nowadays have free splash pads open during the summer, providing a great way to cool off while staying active and energized on hot days. For older youth who may not find the splash pad as appealing, public pools often have very affordable open swims and lap swims. Just check the schedule at your local pool for Nebraska summer activities on warm days!

2. Explore Nebraska’s State Parks and Hiking Trails

Nebraska is full of beautiful, scenic hiking trails and state parks! All you need to access these stunning locations is either a budget-friendly day pass or an annual park permit for endless opportunities to explore Nebraska’s trails and parks all year round. Not only are state parks and hiking trails great Nebraska summer activities, exploring nature is also a wonderful way to get kids off their screens! 

Take a look at all the state parks Nebraska has to offer—from Mahoney State Park to Schramm Park and more—at Outdoor Nebraska. Hiking is both a wonderful way to exercise and bond as a family, as well as a way to spark curiosity and inspire connection with nature.

3. Check Out Summer Reading Programs at Your Local Library

Most local libraries hold summer reading programs to incentivize children and youth of all ages (and sometimes adults too!) to keep reading during the summer break! It’s a fun way for youth to explore new books, attend summer reading events and even earn prizes. Reading helps youth stay stronger academically, avoiding the “summer backslide” while enjoying a calm, screen-free Nebraska summer activity. For more tips on creating healthy media habits for kids, check out this helpful blog from Camber Mental Health.

And while you’re at the library, don’t forget to explore the children’s section for meaningful stories to read together. Reading is a wonderful way to connect and talk about emotions with kids. Some of our favorite books include:

• Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang, which teaches kids about sitting with an emotion.

• I’m Happy Sad Today by Lori Brittain, which helps children understand that it’s okay to feel more than one emotion at the same time.

Trips to the library are a great way to combine learning, emotional growth and community connection.

4. Have a Backyard Campout

Nothing says summer like a family campout. But you don’t have to pay for an expensive campsite to get out and enjoy a night under the stars! Set up a tent or build a fort right in your own backyard, make some s’mores (in the oven if you don’t have a fire pit) and snuggle up to tell stories and build joyful memories. 

5. Attend Free or Low-Cost Community Events

Stay in the loop on free or low-cost community events by checking your local Chamber of Commerce, library billboards and community social media groups. Many towns offer free family nights or concerts during the summer, along with outdoor movie nights, summer festivals and the local farmer’s market. There’s no end to the fun activities you can enjoy out in the community in Nebraska! Plus, you’re showing your children why community is so important. 

6. Try a DIY Craft or Science Day at Home

The rainy days may not be as common in the summer, but when they do occur, you can still enjoy bonding time as a family! Search on Pinterest for DIY craft ideas or at-home art projects to help your kids engage creativity. Or have an at-home science day, with simple experiments that will keep youth learning and engaging their minds in creative ways. While it might start as a simple Nebraska summer activity, you may spark a lifelong interest!

Craft Ideas:

• Explore 50 Summer Craft Projects For Kids that includes printable guides for sun handprints, seed bombs, play‑dough flowers and more.
• Try an easy Sandcastle Craft using free printable templates which are great for fine motor skills and imaginative play.

Science & STEAM Fun:

• Check out 76 Easy Science Experiments Using Materials You Already Have which has lots of kitchen science and simple physics for curious minds.
• Dive into 50+ Fun Summer Science Experiments and STEM Projects (fizzy reactions, solar ovens, rocket water bottles, DNA extraction and more).
• Go deeper with 21 STEAM Activities and combine science and art with fizzy paintings, coffee-filter color blends, lemon volcanoes and space-themed creativity.

Along with classic art projects and easy science experiments, our expert therapist recommends sensory and emotional identification play as a simple and meaningful way to help kids process emotions while having fun. Sensory play includes water, sand and any kind of dough. These activities let children explore textures, build focus and express emotions through touch. Here are two favorite sensory recipes to try at home:

Bubble Dough (also called Cloud Dough)

A soft, moldable material that can even create bubbles when submerged in water.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup liquid dish soap (any scent or color)

Instructions:

1. Combine the cornstarch and dish soap in a bowl
2. Mix with a spoon or your hands until it forms a dough-like consistency
3. If too sticky, add cornstarch one tablespoon at a time; if too dry, add a bit more soap
4. Enjoy molding, squishing and playing
5. Store any leftovers in an airtight container

Optional: Add food coloring, glitter or essential oils for extra sensory fun

Homemade Slime

Great for tactile play and emotional regulation.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup white PVA glue (like Elmer’s)
• 1/2 cup water
• Food coloring (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Borax powder dissolved in 1 cup lukewarm water

Instructions:

1. Mix glue and water in a bowl and add coloring if desired
2. Slowly pour the Borax solution into the glue while stirring
3. A large ball of slime will form
4. Drain excess water and knead until smooth

Mindfulness for Kids

After sensory play, help your child reset with a short mindfulness video. The Imagination Trips series on YouTube teaches basic calming skills in a kid-friendly way. Try this one: watch here.

These low-cost activities are hands-on and full of opportunities for connection. They help kids stay engaged while learning how to identify and manage their emotions.

7. Visit a Local Museum on Discount Days

Many local museums host free or discounted days, plus special pricing for families and youth! Sometimes you can even get free or discounted tickets through the library. Do a little digging and find programs and community support initiatives that offer reduced admission. While museums are fun year-round, they’re especially nice on hot Nebraska days when you’re craving a cool, air-conditioned activity!

8. Plan a Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt

Turn your next family stroll around the block into a fun and creative scavenger hunt! Create a list of items to find together, such as flowers, animals, pebbles or shapes, and enjoy a fun walk that encourages observation and teamwork. 

9. Volunteer Together

What better way to bond with your children than doing something meaningful? Volunteering together as a family can help youth feel empowered and connected both with you and with their local community. When children volunteer, they build resilience and learn that they’re part of something bigger than themselves. Opportunities to volunteer may include a park cleanup, a church event, serving meals at a community center to those in need or helping out at a retirement home. Challenging yourself and your family to take on volunteering builds empathy and greater awareness of the needs of your community.

10. Make Your Own “Summer Bucket List”

Now that you have done a little research locally and expanded upon the ideas in this list, sit down as a family and spend some time brainstorming fun, achievable activities to try together! Write down all of your ideas and hang the list on the refrigerator, checking off each one as you go to see how many you can complete together before it’s time to go back to school.

Bonus Tip: Check In on Mental Health During Summer

With school out and routines shifted, summer can impact how youth feel emotionally. As fun as Nebraska summer activities are, the new season can be tough. For both younger children and teens, losing the stability and structure of the school year can be challenging. This shift can cause some youth to experience symptoms of anxiety, depression or other mental health challenges that require extra support and care. 

Take the time to listen to your children and check in with them, having open conversations and reminding them that it’s okay to talk about how they feel. Watch for signs of withdrawal, irritability or ennui (that looks like listlessness, disengagement or dissociation) that might signal a need for extra support or help. If your child seems to be struggling consistently without being able to work through it, KVC Nebraska offers outpatient therapy services to provide tools and support whenever and wherever a youth may need.

Need Support Navigating Emotions or Routines This Summer?

KVC Nebraska offers a Mental Health Support Tips Series for families and youth.

Explore helpful, bite-sized strategies for emotional wellness, communication and healthy habits, especially during busy or transitional seasons like summer.