We know how hard it can be to have less money than other families around in the summer. Kids' friends talk a ton about how their friends are going on vacation to all of these wild places, and we're over here thinking, Seriously, Sharon? You're taking the kids to Italy?! They're not even old enough to really remember! But the truth is, some of the summers we've enjoyed the most in our lives — as adults and as kids — are the ones that were the leanest. That's not to say that it isn't hard not being able to go to the movies as often as some of our friends or not being able to afford some of the luxuries that others seem to have, but we have to remind ourselves there's more merit to living withn a budget than in overspending on entertainment and having issues with getting the essentials later.
Also, summer really is the best season to have fun with very little cash. There are a ton of free and lost-cost options in the summertime, not to mention that simply being outdoors is finally a treat again. We rounded up some great options for having fun with kids this summer while still sticking to a budget, but before we get there, check out some of these other ideas that can help make this summer really amazing. One of our favorites is brilliant summertime hacks to survive the heat with kids. These will help everyone cool off in the summer heat, which gets really brutal this time of year. Pregnant women can check out things that can help to survive a summer pregnancy, because we feel so much sympathy for all the moms out there who have to sweat their way through what's already a difficult time. For those on a tight budget, there are creative ways to save money and tips for your next theme park vacation.
Enjoy Two Free Bowling Games Per Day
Kids Bowl Free is a program available at more than 1,360 bowling alleys across America. This lets kids bowl two games for free every single day of the summer. The only thing to pay for is shoe rental, unless kids have their own. It's a wonderful way for kids to constructively spend time (and doesn't cost much)!
Go See Free Movie Screenings Together
A lot of parks host "movie in the park" nights, with a kids' screening happening before the grown-up one (or on different days entirely). There are also free movie screenings at community centers, and Regal offers $1 movies for kids all summer long.
Explore a State or National Park
National parks are one of our greatest national treasures. We can go hiking, camping, or even swimming in a huge lake or by a beautiful waterfall. Some parks also offer nature programs with guided hikes so kids and adults can learn about the local flora and fauna.
Enjoy Library Activities
If there's only one thing we can say about the library in the summer — it's so air-conditioned! But honestly, the library offers tons of fun free activities for kids in the summer from Lego-building parties to book clubs, story time, and reading groups.
Hang Out at the Community Pool
Enjoy the community swimming pool as a family, encourage strong swimmers to join local swim teams, and sign up for swim classes. Some community pools offer sliding-scale rates for swimming lessons.
Discover a Local Nature Center
Nature centers are places for kids to learn about the natural world around them. Many host kids' activities and family time, where kids can meet animals such as live owls and learn about ecosystems.
Check the Website of the Parks Department
Lots of parks and recreation centers across the country host everything from kids' soccer groups to hosting low- or even no-cost classes, such as paintings classes, golf classes, tennis classes, and kayaking. Some have drop-in times for basketball or other games. Many offer free or low-cost day camps too.
Attend a Theater Production in a Park
Although New York's Shakespeare in the Park is the most famous version, local theater companies put on productions of kids' shows, as well as classics like Shakespeare, in parks all over the country for low or no cost.
Put Together a Picnic
What's the difference between eating leftovers from the fridge and having a fun picnic? Literally just going outside! Alternatively, turn it into a community event by posting on a parenting board about having a potluck and inviting neighbors or the community.
Attend Free Kid Workshops at Home Depot
Who knew that Home Depot hosts cool workshops for kids? It's a fun bonding activity and totally free. Kids get to build interesting crafts that help them learn engineering and building skills, and they can take them home afterward.
Enjoy Free Museum Days
Nearly every museum in the United States offers certain days of the week or month when admission is free. Some museums also sponsor free kids' drawing sessions and educational programs. Giving kids the gift of loving art from a young age will affect them positively for their entire lives.
Check in With a Bookstore
Bookstores often offer scheduled reading groups, and many host children's authors, who will sometimes tour with a new book and read aloud for the kids. Bring kids for a free reading and to get a copy that's already owned (or purchased at the store) signed for free!
Host a Family Iron Chef Night
Break out a few surprise ingredients and get cooking! We love making food a joyful, playful part of life — instead of just a mandatory routine — whenever possible. Turn cooking into a fun family project this summer.
Put on a Play
Help just the kids in the house put on a show or make it a bigger affair and involve kids in the neighborhood as well. This can be a weeklong event involving rehearsals or just something that can come together organically in the course of an afternoon.
Host a Movie Night
If it's been raining, pop a big bowl of popcorn and settle in for a classic children's film. If it's sunny and there's backyard space, why not string up a bedsheet and project a movie for a special fun outdoor movie night?
Attend Free Craft Classes
Michaels offers free or lost cost ($3) craft classes for kids. Kids can learn how to make things such as birdhouses, slime, sand art, paintings, food crafts. You name it, and kids can learn how to make it there.
Find a Maker Space or Hack Lab
Get kids started on a STEM future with access to maker spaces or hack labs. They can learn the basics of Arduino from a very young age. Sometimes public libraries host labs in their spaces these days!
Check Newspaper for Block Parties and County Fairs
Check the newspaper — in print or online — for information about upcoming block parties, which usually have free activities for kids, or county fairs, where kids can see animals and crafts for free or not much money. (It's a good idea also to set aside some money for a treat such as a candy apple and a ride.)
Start a Family Garden
For those who live in cities, joining a community garden is a wonderful idea, whereas those with backyard space can turn part of their lawns into garden space. Although it's a small investment at first in seeds and supplies, growing fresh produce ultimately saves money in the long run — and is a fun bonding activity.
Join a Family-Oriented Meetup
Meetup.org is a useful way for adults to meet others who share their interests and passions (and is a way for single parents to meet other single parents). It's also an awesome way families to meet other families who like similar things such as going on hikes.
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