FREE SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS/ FAMILIES
Now that we’re a family of four, the cost of our extracurricular activities has gone up.
A simple outing can easily turn into a $100+ day if we aren’t careful.
With schools letting out and summer fast-approaching, here is a lengthy list of activities to do with the kids and family that are free or very cheap.
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FREE THINGS TO DO OUTSIDE
VISIT A PLAYGROUND
There are so many parks near our house. The kids love playing on the swings and the slides the most.
There’s even a really nice (free) water park by my house.
HAVE A PICNIC
Click the photo to buy a picnic basket!
Who doesn’t love a picnic? My kids love eating outdoors because it’s something different.
Let the kids help pack sandwiches, their favorite snacks and drinks.
HEAD TO THE BEACH
Fill up your cooler with drinks and snacks and head to the beach.
Enjoy some sun, sand on your feet, and toes in the water.
Kids can make sand castles, play spike ball, scoop ball, frisbee, etc.
GO TO THE PARK
Enjoy a walk with your friends, family or pets. Watch the leaves change, people watch, etc.
HIKING
Grab your water bottle and go hiking in the great outdoors. Look for marked trails and research ahead of time the terrain that works best for your skill level.
CAMPING
My family and I just went on our very first camping trip. Despite the bugs and bathroom situation I had a really good time. We grilled up some good food and made s’mores on the campfire.
MINI MUD RUN
Tough Mudder hosts multiple obstacle courses through the mud. They even have mini courses for the kids ages 5-12.
Go on an adventure, work as a team, or just play in the mud!
FIREWORKS
Starting around the 4th of July and throughout the summer you can find various places to watch the fireworks. One time we got watch them on a boat from the water, which was a lot of fun.
GO TO A WATER PARK/POOL
If you don’t have your own pool you can visit a water park to cool down or join your town’s pool club (it tends to be cheaper than private places).
PLANT A GARDEN
Kids love playing with dirt and water. We let them help us get ready our seedlings for the spring.
Let them plant their own terrarium or fairy garden.
FLY A KITE
Grab a kite from the dollar store and run around like maniacs.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous make your own kite using tissue paper, plastic, and skinny wooden dowels.
CAMPING IN THE BACKYARD OR INDOORS
If you want to save even more money, go camping in a tent in your own backyard or inside the house.
Make s’mores in the microwave. I cheat and make them over the stove.
VISIT A FARMER’S MARKET
My husband and I are big foodies and so are our kids. Go to the local farmer’s market to score fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, and more.
BUBBLES
I’ve never met a kid who didn’t like bubbles and the best part they’re a really cheap activity. I end up getting several bubble guns a year because my little guy is clumsy lol.
CHALK
There’s something satisfying about writing on things that aren’t paper. Use 3D or glitter chalk for even more fun.
GO TO A FARM
At the local farm by our house we can milk the cows, feed the pigs and chickens. Another farm further away we could go vegetable picking, get fresh ice cream and cider donuts.
STREET FAIR
Street fairs offer food AND entertainment.
Some are small while others go on for miles. This can turn into a whole day outing for cheap. Check ahead of time to see if they charge an entry fee. We tend to spend most of our money on food, but the damage isn’t too bad.
FREE CONCERTS
A few towns over offers free concerts and movies in the park. Just bring your own bug spray, sunscreen, blanket, and snacks.
FISHING/CRABBING/CLAMMING
I grew up fishing with my dad. Now I take my kids.
They like seeing the different species we catch and hanging by the water.
This isn’t an entirely free activity. You’ll need your own equipment and probably licenses depending on your state regulations.
STAR GAZING
When we went out camping we got to sit under the stars and eat s’mores.
If you want to see even more, Amazon has telescopes for less than $100!
GO TO THE ZOO
There’s a free zoo in NJ that is absolutely amazing I can’t believe it’s free. We go at least twice a year.
With our kids getting older, admission adds up. I use Groupon to score discounts.
RIDE A BIKE/SCOOTER/ROLLERBLADE/
ROLLER SKATE
I tried roller skating and rollerblading, but fell more times than I could handle lol. So I used my bike to go to the park and get ice cream.
AMUSEMENT PARK
Go on the rides, eat funnel cake, play the crane game, skeeball, or just walk around.
We love going in the summer time to win prizes and walk along the boardwalk.
TAKE PHOTOS
There’s no need to purchase an expensive camera, just use your phone and take some fun pictures outside.
If you want to get nostalgic, use a Polaroid camera and see photos instantly developed.
FREE THINGS TO DO INDOORS
READ A BOOK
I always said I hated reading as a kid, but the truth is I only liked reading certain kinds of books (baking, mystery, crafting). My husband enjoys reading about fishing, Greek mythology, and grilling.
Our library (and most libraries today) have a summer reading program to encourage kids to read by earning prizes. They offer pizzas, tours of the library, toys, etc.
My latest reading list consists of personal finance books that will continue improving my family’s financial status. (Here are some of my favorites!)
VISIT THE LIBRARY/BOOKSTORE
Lots of libraries and bookstores offer free events to promote book signings, arts & crafts, game days, and more.
COOK/BAKE
A cheap way to spend the day is meal prepping for the week and making food.
Have fun at home baking rainbow sprinkle cookies, awesome cream cheese banana pudding, or pizza.
BLOG
Blogging is a great way to express your feelings in writing, share your knowledge, and interests.
The best part, you can make some money while doing it. I made over $500 last month in my extra time.
Read: How to start your own money-making blog
ARTS AND CRAFTS
I keep my kids busy making all kinds of arts and crafts. We draw, color, make cards, and lots of slime.
PAINT
Washable paint kit
Even if you’re not Pablo Picasso, try your hand at finger paint, sponge paint, and brush painting.
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
Grab popcorn or your favorite snack and watch your favorite movies.
Sometimes we watch comedies and other times we watch cartoons and old movies.
VOLUNTEER
Visit your local soup kitchen, make sandwich packs, donate your time or money.
In high school, my best friend and I collected food and blankets for the ASPCA.
LASER TAG
I like to go laser tagging in the summer when it gets too hot out. Have fun sneaking up on friends and working through mazes.
TRAMPOLINE PARK
My daughter has already gone to 2 trampoline park parties. They have a ball pit, a toddler section, and safety policies in place so no one gets hurt (I’m an overprotective parent, what can I say?).
PLAY BOARD GAMES
My favorite board games are Cranium, Pictionary, and Taboo.
Board games are a great cheap summer activity because you it’s a one time purchase.
HAVE A TEA PARTY
Get a fancy teapot, some mini desserts and dress up.
PAINT ROCKS
Grab some rocks from the backyard and start painting. If you are a perfectionist you can get this kit for super smooth rocks to paint.
HOST A PAMPER PARTY
Get some bubbly, nail polish, a heated neck/back massager, and some hair ties. This is something the whole family can enjoy.
AQUARIUM
Check ahead of time for any discounts or sales. Then just walk around looking at the sea life. Some aquariums even have special presentations.
SCAVENGER HUNT
Create some clues and hide prizes throughout the house. You can also have a scavenger hunt game outside, weather permitting.
INDOOR ICE SKATING
Another great summer activity if you just want to cool down.
CUPCAKE DECORATING
My kids love helping me bake. Make some cupcakes and have fun decorating them with different toppings, sprinkles, and decorations.
