As the warmer gets warmer, many families are looking for ways to enjoy quality time together without breaking the bank. Summer is a prime time for creating lasting memories, but it can often come with a hefty price tag. Thankfully, with a bit of creativity and planning, you can have a fantastic and affordable summer packed with family fun.
Jason Higgs, the senior deals strategist at Bountii, shares his top five creative and affordable suggestions. Here are his ideas for a summer full of enjoyment without stretching your budget.
1. Backyard Camping Adventure
Transform your backyard into a campsite for a night under the stars. Set up a tent, roll out sleeping bags, and enjoy the great outdoors from the comfort of your home. Roast marshmallows, tell stories, and gaze at the stars.
To keep costs down, use existing camping gear or borrow items from friends. Prepare snacks and meals at home to avoid extra expenses, and enhance the experience with DIY activities like nature scavenger hunts or crafting nature journals. This adds a personalized touch and keeps everyone engaged.
Websites like REI and Pinterest offer plenty of backyard camping ideas and activities. Check out local library books on stargazing to add an educational twist.
2. Community Park Day
Spend a day exploring local parks and enjoying outdoor activities. Visit various parks in your area for picnics, hiking, playground fun, and sports. Many parks offer free events like concerts or outdoor movies.
Pack a picnic with homemade sandwiches and snacks to avoid spending on food. Bringing along bikes, frisbees, or soccer balls can add to the fun and keep everyone active. Look up your community’s park schedule to find free events and activities that the whole family can enjoy.
Websites like AllTrails can help you find nearby hiking trails. Additionally, local government and community websites often list free park events.
3. DIY Water Park
With water-park entry prices sometimes reaching into the triple digits, why not create a mini water park in your backyard for endless splashing fun? Set up sprinklers, water slides, and kiddie pools to cool off during hot summer days. This is a hit with younger children but fun for all ages.
To save money, use household items like tarps and plastic sheeting for DIY water slides. Filling up water balloons or making sponge water bombs adds excitement without a high cost. Afterward, you can reuse the water from the kiddie pool to water plants, helping to conserve water.
YouTube tutorials offer step-by-step guides on creating DIY water slides and water games. Dollar stores are great places to find affordable water toys and accessories.
4. Outdoor Movie Night
These days, a trip to the movies can set you back a pretty penny, with tickets costing up to $20 per person. Instead, try bringing the cinema experience to your backyard with an outdoor movie night. Set up a projector and a screen (or use a white sheet), and enjoy family-favorite films under the stars. Add some popcorn and blankets for a cozy evening.
Instead of buying a projector, consider borrowing or renting one. Making popcorn and snacks at home can save on concession costs. Inviting neighbors or friends and asking them to bring their own blankets and chairs can create a communal and budget-friendly event.
Streaming services like Netflix or Disney+ offer a vast selection of family movies. Check local buy-and-sell groups for affordable projector rentals or purchases.
5. Nature Exploration and Scavenger Hunts
Take the family on a nature exploration day with engaging scavenger hunts. Visit local nature reserves, botanical gardens, or even just a nearby forest and have a scavenger hunt. This is an educational and adventurous activity for all ages.
Print scavenger hunt lists from online resources or create your own to keep it budget friendly. Bringing a notebook and pencils allows children to document their findings, adding an educational element to the fun. Packing a simple picnic to enjoy in nature makes for a complete and enjoyable day out.
Websites like Nature Detectives provide free printable scavenger hunt lists. Use apps like Seek by iNaturalist for identifying plants and animals.
With a little ingenuity and some planning, families can enjoy a memorable summer filled with fun and laughter without spending a fortune. “The best summer memories are made not by how much you spend, but by how much you enjoy the time spent together,” says Higgs. So, get creative, explore these budget-friendly activities, and make this summer one to remember.
