Jun 24, 2026

7 Dollar Tree Summer Buys That Keep Kids Busy for Hours — All Under $20

Written by Laura Bogart
|
Edited by Kristen Mae
7 Dollar Tree Summer Buys That Keep Kids Busy for Hours — All Under $20

Summer may be your kids’ favorite season — as the song goes, “No more teachers, no more books” — but it can leave you scrambling to meet your newest challenge: keeping your kids busy for hours.

Sure, you could raid your local Target or load up your cart at a toy store; however, you don’t want to spend big money for your kids to have big fun.

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You have another option. The shelves of Dollar Tree are filled with creative, engaging and affordable toys and activities that will keep your kids occupied — and your wallet a little fuller. Many of these options are even under $20.

The Best Dollar Tree Buys for the Money Right Now

  • Price: $5

With these toy racket sets, you can keep your kiddos occupied for hours in the backyard. Each set includes two rackets, a tennis ball and a badminton birdie so your kids can pretend to be tennis champions in the battle of their lives or try a new game like badminton. As they play, they might improve their hand-eye coordination, get some exercise and — most importantly — have fun.

  • Price: $1.75

Maybe your little one isn’t quite ready for an actual skateboard this summer — despite what they tell you. But you can compromise with this fun and relatively safe finger skateboard that your kids can trot out whenever they’re bored. It could also make a great party favor for children’s birthdays.

  • Price: $18 for one box

These animal face masks will let your kids play dress-up inside and outside the home. They can adopt the personas of lions, raccoons, cats, tigers, cheetahs and foxes with their friends — or even invite you into the imaginary jungle. Each box comes with 18 face masks, meaning you might also have your kids’ Halloween costumes already sorted before summer’s end.

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  • Price: $1.75

Rainy days will happen. So will long car trips. To keep your children occupied during the quieter moments of summer, you’ll need a good card game like Uno. This pocket-sized deck is best suited for kids ages 7 and up.

  • Price: $1.75

If you have a budding Frida Kahlo in your midst, you can encourage them to draw for hours on end with this classic Etch A Sketch drawing board. In addition to letting your child explore their creative side, you also won’t have to clean up messy paints and supplies.

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  • Price: $1.75

Giving your kids a dollhouse can open the door to hours of imaginative play. Each home comes with two small dolls and furniture pieces. At such a low price, you can get a few different homes — available in white and pink — to let your kids create a whole neighborhood of stories.

  • Price: $1.75

A puzzle can be a perfect activity during extreme heat or a summer storm. It can also be an ideal way for kids who prefer quieter play to pass the time. These puzzles come in bright, whimsical themes such as puppies, kittens, outer space, balloons and lollipops.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change.

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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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Written by
Laura Bogart
Edited by
Kristen Mae