Budget-Friendly Family Activities to Enjoy This Summer
Summer is the perfect time to bond with your family while embracing the beauty of the season. And the best news is, it doesn’t have to cost a thing! Here are 12 ideas to inspire your family’s summer adventures:
1. Backyard camping adventure
There’s no need to travel far for an immersive experience with nature. Grab some sleeping bags, set up a tent and transform your backyard into a campsite. You’ll create priceless memories telling stories around a crackling campfire and finding constellations in the nighttime sky.
2. Nature scavenger hunt
Enhance your children’s observational skills and strengthen their appreciation for nature with a scavenger hunt! All you need to do is create a list of items for your children to find on your home property, such as specific leaves, rocks or insects. Bonus points for using more than one sense in your hunt, such as the chirping of a designated bird or the scent of a specific flower.
3. Egg hunt
Hide coins and small bills tucked into plastic eggs around the yard and house for a fun, seasonal activity. This can be a fabulous way to teach your kids about money management in an enjoyable way. To keep things fair, set guidelines to ensure all participants have an equal opportunity to find eggs. For example, limit the number of eggs each person can collect or assign specific colors to different age groups.
4. DIY arts and crafts day
Let’s get crafty! Host a creative session at home using materials you already have. From painting rocks to crafting with recycled items, there are so many things you can create at no cost.
5. Visit a local park
You don’t have to spend a penny to enjoy a day at a nearby park. Pack a picnic lunch, play Frisbee with your family or explore the walking trails to score a great workout while getting up close with nature.
6. Explore the backyard ecosystem
Turn your backyard into a mini nature reserve by observing plants, insects and birds. Research each discovery together to learn more about your local ecosystem. Level up the fun by setting up a mini nature display with your finds and invite the neighborhood kids to come learn from your discoveries.
7. Host a family movie marathon
Bring the theater home this summer by spending an afternoon binge-watching family-friendly movies. Look for recommendations online, and don’t be afraid to throw in one film that educates as much as it entertains. Don’t forget the homemade popcorn!
8. Plant a family garden
What better way to enjoy the glorious weather this time of year than to plant a garden together with your family? Dedicate a small area in your yard or use pots to plant flowers, vegetables or herbs. You can involve the entire family in the project and have everyone help with the planting, watering and pruning while you observe the growth process.
9. Visit a local library
Libraries usually offer a variety of programs suitable for all ages. Explore your community’s library to discover new books, attend free workshops or participate in storytelling sessions.
10. Organize a water balloon fight
When it’s just too hot to play outdoors, cool off with a family water balloon fight! It’s a fun way to stay active and enjoy the outdoors as a family.
11. Host a dance party
It’s always a fabulous time for dancing up a storm! Choose a dance theme that resonates with your child’s interests, such as a disco fever, superhero dance-off or ballet princess. Decorate your space to match the theme using items you already have at home. Then, create a playlist of on-theme and age-appropriate songs to keep the energy high. Amp up the music and dance it up!
12. Volunteer together
Pay it forward by engaging in community service with your family. You can volunteer at local shelters, food banks or community gardens. This will help enforce the value of giving back and foster a sense of community.
Enjoy a wonderful time this season without draining your wallet. Use these tips to get started!