Summer Activities for Families on a Budget

4 min read

Family-Friendly Summer Activities on a Budget

Summertime is all about getting outside and having fun with the family. But it can be a challenge to keep the entertainment budget under control. There’s a good chance your children’s wish list includes trips to pricey theme parks or destinations that involve hotel stays and travel expenses.

The good news? Planning for summer doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. With a little creativity and preparation, you can find plenty of ways to enjoy a stress-free season.

So, what’s a parent on a budget to do? Start by embracing the mindset that family fun doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Then, look around your community for activities and events that are free or low cost. The ideas below can inspire memorable summer experiences without blowing your budget.

1. Visit the Library for Fun and Games

Local libraries are a terrific source of free summer entertainment. The children’s section may feature age-appropriate books, CDs and DVDs, as well as puzzles, board games and computer games. You may also find kid-friendly activities like storytime, arts and crafts, sing-alongs and puppet shows. After a fun day at the library, you could use your library card to take home a free or low-cost movie for the family to enjoy too.

2. Make a Picnic or Go to an Outdoor Event

Picnics in the park have been a summer mainstay for generations of families. Free or low-cost activities may feature summer plays (including Shakespeare productions in some communities), movies under the stars or other free amenities like playgrounds, ball fields and community pools. If your little ones are competitive, you can hold mini-Olympic-style games at the park. You can even use items around the house like hula hoops and pool noodles to mark boundaries.

3. Learn About Hometown History

Many cities and towns have small museums celebrating local history that are free or low cost. They may honor statesmen, war heroes, writers, film stars or a specific topic like lighthouses or toys. Children can get a history lesson and be entertained, while parents enjoy the nostalgia and expand their community knowledge. Before you head out, be sure to check the days and hours of operation.

4. Take a Family Bike Ride

Another idea for family fun on a budget is to go for a ride together on a bicycle path free of motor traffic. Whether paved, gravel or dirt, these paths offer a way to get outside and experience your surroundings from somewhere other than your car window. Be sure to stay safe by wearing helmets, observing the rules of the road and being mindful of others on the trail.

5. Make Your Own Scavenger Hunt

Create your own adventure and bring out the explorer in your child. Make a checklist of things to look for—like plants, bugs or rocks—and set a time limit. You can do it at the park, in your backyard or around your neighborhood. Be sure to remind the little ones to respect private property, stay on marked trails and point to but not touch the items they find.

6. Build a Backyard Obstacle Course

Kids love watching “ninja” shows on TV. Why not let them get in on the fun by building their own obstacle course with household items like cardboard boxes? Be sure to double-check obstacles to make sure they’re safe and supervise all activities to avoid injuries.

7. Grow Your Own Garden

Celebrate summer by enjoying the season’s colorful fruits and vegetables—right in your backyard! If you don’t have space at home, head over to a local farm and spend an afternoon picking from an assortment of fresh options. Just be careful how much you pick—without a plan, you might end up with an expensive haul. Avoid sticker shock by setting limits on how much you’ll take home before you start picking.

If outdoor space is limited, indoor gardening projects for kids can be a fun way to grow herbs or small plants together. Many families find that gardening is a simple, rewarding way to connect with nature and help children learn about healthy eating.

8. Indoor Arts and Crafts Activities

You’re going to get your share of summer storms, but a rainy day—or any day you want to stay inside—doesn’t have to be a downer if you’re prepared. Try some simple crafts like paper airplanes, homemade kites or bird feeders. And when the sun comes back out, the kids can enjoy their creations outdoors!

And what child doesn’t love building a fort? All you need are some pillows or couch cushions, bed sheets and a little creativity to create a whole new world in your living room. A fort is a great place to cozy up for a movie, game night or storytime. Just make sure to stress the importance of cleaning up when the fun is done.

One last thing: whatever activity you and your family decide on, don’t forget about safety. When you’re heading out from home, be sure to pack: