Making awesome summer memories doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are 29 cheap (or even free) summer activities that will be fun for the whole family!
Go hiking
Calling all adventurers! Hiking is a great, inexpensive activity for the whole group. Many local parks offer different trail routes depending on distance, so depending on your crowd, there’s a great hike for everyone.
Visit your local library
Local libraries are a great way to stay entertained this summer beyond just checking out books. From summer reading programs and events to book clubs and even cooking classes, your local library is a great way to get out of the house, learn something new, and even meet new friends in your community!
Volunteer in your community
For many organizations, the summer is their greatest time of need for volunteers and donations. Volunteering at a local organization in your community is a great use of time and will make you feel good, too! Gather some friends, volunteer together, and you’ll make an even greater impact.
Have a picnic
Having a picnic is a great way to break out of the summer routine and explore what’s around you. Invite some friends, pack up your favorite foods, and have some fun in the sun!
Check for free events in your local community
The summer is the prime time for your local community to host free events such as summer concerts, street fairs, parades, and much more. All you have to do is search around, and you’ll be on the way to having some fun.
Watch a new show or movie
If you’ve wanted to watch that show everyone’s been watching or see what the buzz on a movie is all about, the summer months are a great opportunity to kick back and catch up on some TV.
Declutter or deep clean your home (or both!)
There’s something about warm weather and sunshine that gives you more motivation, right? Summertime is a great opportunity to declutter your home or deep clean it. Or, better yet, both!
Pay a visit to a friend or family member
The summer is a great time to visit with a friend or family member you haven’t seen in a while. Catch up on each other’s lives while catching some sun, too!
Have a themed party
Hosting a themed party is a great way to gather everyone together, even if it’s for no special occasion. Whether it’s for the kids or adults, a themed party is a great way to get creative and have some fun while keeping it affordable.
Try cooking a new recipe
If you find yourself in a cooking rut once summer rolls around, you’re definitely not alone! Trying new recipes and different foods can be a great way to spice up your summer without breaking the bank.
Read
Reading is an awesome form of entertainment in the summertime. There are so many benefits to reading, no matter your age. And if you choose to check out a book at your local library or borrow it from a friend, it’s free!
Visit a local farm
Visiting your local farm is a great activity for everyone, especially kids. They can pick their own fruits and vegetables, interact with animals, and learn while doing your wallet a favor.
Go swimming
There’s nothing quite like being in a swimming pool on a hot summer’s day. While the pool and its upkeep can be costly, hopping into a friend or family member’s pool or a community pool is a great way to cool off for cheap!
Head out to a metropark, state park, or national park
Heading to a local metropark, state park, or even national park is a great way to have some affordable fun this summer. Often, all you must do is pay a park entrance fee, and you’ll be adventuring in no time.
Host a potluck with your friends
If you’re looking to host a get-together this summer, a great way to keep costs low is to do a potluck. That way, no one person has to cook everything, and you can try a wide variety of dishes.
Create a scavenger hunt
Need a rainy day activity? A scavenger hunt is a great way to keep the kiddos entertained while you’re stuck inside.
Get crafty
Arts and crafts are a great way to allow kids (and even adults, too!) to be creative on a budget. Take the creative fun outdoors for easy clean-up in case the fun gets messy!
Clean up your yard
While your idea of fun during the summer may not involve much work, getting outdoors to clean up your yard is a great way to make your home look great, get outdoors, and have a sense of accomplishment.
Go to a museum, art gallery, etc.
Who says summer can’t be an educational time? Visiting a museum, science center, or art gallery is a fun way to get your kids out of the heat and learn something cool! As the summer heats up, you’ll be happy to spend
Make a sidewalk chalk creation
A budget-friendly way to make something awesome is to use sidewalk chalk. It’s an inexpensive way to tap into a child’s creativity while also getting outdoors.
Write letters to your family and friends
Who doesn’t love a handwritten note? Writing letters to your family and friends will give them a fun surprise to open up when checking their mail. Get your kiddos to write a letter, too!
Go for a walk or bike ride
Walking and riding a bike are great exercises and a cheap way to explore this summer. Pack up the bikes in the back of your vehicle and explore somewhere new to take it up a notch.
Play in the sprinkler
If you don’t have the budget for a pool, playing in a sprinkler is a budget-friendly alternative to playing in the water and having some fun in the sun. Nowadays, there are so many different types of sprinklers to choose from to make the fun times last!
Take a day trip
A day trip is a great way to see a new place without making it an entire vacation. Whether it’s a few hours or a few minutes, a day trip is a budget-friendly way to make some awesome summer memories while avoiding the chunk of change that a vacation would cost.
Learn a new skill
With so much information on the internet nowadays, you can learn about pretty much anything. Why not learn a new skill? Whether it’s cooking or juggling, there are so many resources to expand your knowledge and unlock potential you didn’t know you had.
Plant a garden
Planting a garden and growing flowers, fruit, and vegetables can seem daunting, but once everything takes root and begins to grow, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor – literally.
Go on a dollar store shopping spree
Just because you’re trying to make summer affordable doesn’t mean you can’t still do a little shopping. Dollar stores and places of the like can be a great way to do fun shopping for far cheaper than a regular store.
Make an obstacle course
A do-it-yourself obstacle course is a fun and memorable time no matter your age. Even if the course is made of items around your home, the competition can really heat up!
