It’s summer! You don’t need to spend a fortune to entertain the kids. Help them make these super fun toys using common household items.

Outdoor water toys

Water splasher — Drill small holes through one side of a two-liter soda bottle. Attach to garden hose and secure with duct tape. The kids will be showered with a cool spray of water.

Slippery slide — Place a 16-foot plastic tarp on smooth ground (slightly sloped makes for more fun) and soak it down with water. Add a bit of dish soap for added slickness. Zoom!

Indoor Pretend

Play makeup — Girls playing dress up will love this tasty lip gloss recipe. Blend one package of their favorite presweetened Kool-Aid drink mix with 3 tablespoons of vegetable shortening, then microwave for one minute. Transfer to a small plastic container and refrigerate overnight.

Face painting — First, simply mix together 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 1/2 teaspoon cold cream. Then add 1/2 teaspoon water and stir. Lastly, add food coloring one drop at a time until you get the desired color.

For Preschoolers

Edible playdough — Mix 1 cup flour, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 package unsweetened Kool-Aid and 1/4 cup salt in a saucepan. Stir constantly on medium heat. Mixture will thicken. Be cautious not to over cook. Remove from heat to cool. Store in sealed container in refrigerator when not in use. This is edible, but not too tasty.

Bowling — Use baby bottles or small empty plastic juice bottles as pins. Fill with rice for stimulating sound. Use any small ball for rolling.

Want to head out for an affordable adventure? How about bowling for free? Visit www.kidsbowlfree.com, sign up and receive two free bowling games per child per day. You do not need to purchase the family pack for this offer. The local alley, Royal Z Lanes, is participating.

If you have a homemade toy idea, or for more free summer resources, visit my blog http://mommysgotworktodo.blogspot.com.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Tara Roark conducts Coupon Boot Camps training consumers how to save hundreds on their groceries, shopping, dining and entertainment through couponing. To contact her, visit www.couponbootcamp.com, follow her blog at http://mommysgotworktodo.blogspot.com, or on Twitter, couponbootcamp, for exclusive deals and tips.