Summer vacation can be expensive, and as a stay-at-home mom, I notice how quickly things add up over the summer. With two girls who like to stay busy, we have found some great ways to fill our summers without breaking the bank.
Library
The library is a great resource. Most libraries have summer reading programs as well as summer programs for kids. Also check out Barnes & Noble for their summer reading program, where you can earn a free book.
If you can’t find a summer reading program, libraries still offer a nice place to hang out, especially on a hot or rainy day. My kids love going to the library and reading, using the computers, playing in the children’s room, and more. Plus, you can bring home lots of great materials for kids to read.
Bowling
We recently discovered KidsBowlFree.com, which offers free bowling throughout the summer at participating bowling alleys. You do have to pay the shoe rental fee, but again, this is a great thing to do on a super hot or rainy day. If your local bowling alleys don’t participate in Kids Bowl Free, there are often other summer promotions for kids.
Hiking
Hiking is usually free to do, and it should be relatively easy to find trails in your area. Look for family-friendly trails based on your child’s age and your comfort level with hiking.
Movies
Regal Cinemas offers $1 movies throughout the summer with their Summer Movie Express. If you aren’t near a Regal Cinema, check to see if your local theater has summer promotions. Some theaters show movies that have been out for a while at a deep discount, so that is another option to look into.
Farms
My kids love going to our local farm to check out the farm animals and walk around. I also let them pick out something small from the farm shop, like a cider donut or honey stick.
Nature Center
Nature centers are a great resource and often a great way to get some educational opportunities. Most will have exhibits to explore, free or low-cost programs, trails, and more.
State Parks / Beaches
State Parks and other natural areas are great places to explore in the summer, usually at low cost or for free. We have used our parks for hiking, playgrounds, swimming, beaches, and so much more.
Playgrounds
Every summer, my kids and I make a goal to visit new playgrounds. You can find playgrounds at places like town parks, state parks, schools, churches, and more. My kids get very excited when we set a goal of visiting a new playground every week.
Crafts
Once in a while, we stock up on some cheap craft supplies. However, you can find cheap or free craft ideas from library books and the internet. This might be with upcycled materials, things from nature, and so on.
Berry-picking
Berry picking is obviously something that you have to pay for, and while it may cost a little extra for the price of the berries, you are still bringing home food. (Be sure to check out my berry-picking tips!)
Cooking
Sometimes just doing some new cooking projects can be lots of fun. Make a special dessert or a summer treat. When we go berry picking, we like to make yummy treats like this easy no-bake fruit tart.
Gardening
A cheap project you can do over the summer is gardening. I think the most we spent money on was soil for the garden beds. My kids have a lot of fun picking out seed packets, which are just a few dollars each. You could also plant a fairy garden.
Town Parks
Town parks often have a variety of things to offer, such as a swimming pool, playground, hiking trails, gardens, tennis courts, and more.
Camping
Camping can be fairly cheap, especially in comparison to other overnight trips in hotels. Plus, there are lots of free activities to do once you are set up camping – hiking, nature activities, and anything else a campground has to offer.
I love to camp, but haven’t gone in years. Now that my son is older, it’s all about golfing.
This is a great list! My kids have already written some of these on their summer bucket list! We love camping in our backyard! Same experience but if it rains we can easily come inside!
Kidsbowlfree is a great suggestion because it’s so affordable, you can even buy a pair of shoes and save the rental money. Movies and museums are air conditioned which is a must.
These are all great ideas for cheap summer activities for kids!! I am all about going to the library, it’s great for interaction plus all the books!!
I agree that we don’t have to spend too much money just to enjoy the summer. Thanks for this tips. I love bringing the kids to the library.
Summer is too short for me and my kids. Didn’t do much of outdoor activities. We mostly stayed inside our house.
My kids and siblings would love doing some of those summer activities outdoor. I think when I have the chance, I will bring them out.
I hope to do a lot of camping in the summer months with my daughter. A great way to bond, have fun and learn at the same time.
My kids participate in our local library’s summer reading program every year. These are a great activity and I’m surprised more people don’t participate in them. Glad you brought that up in your list.
Keeping kids entertained can sure be expensive! These are some great free ideas for keeping kids occupied in the summer
These are all great summer activities that are cheap to do. Camping is a cheap fun activity. Thanks for sharing the ideas.
We love the $1 movies in the summer! My kids look forward to it when we do it! We get to see so many fun movies this way!
Love the ideas! Summer camps are very expensive. My son is currently attending a summer camp and my daughter is staying with me ; )
Thankyou for sharing.
Nice post.
keep it up
Can’t go wrong with beaches or a park. Great list of ideas!
Great ideas. These activities won’t cost much and guarantees so much fun and learning for kids. My grandson has been asking for a camping trip for the longest time. I think we will start planning for one soon.
Kids Bowl Free is so awesome! We also spend a lot of time traveling and at the beach in the summer.
These are all such great ideas. I love the hiking and library the most. We’re a family that does both frequently, and my kids get tons of enjoyment from them.
Connecting with nature will always be the best feeling for me and my family. All of those are amazing ideas for the kids to have lots of fun.
I loved the library growing up. Those $1 movies sound amazing too
These all are soo good tips for kids’ cheap summer fun. Thanks for sharing with us.
Yes, this is what we need with the kids for now. No fancy and expensive activities for summer. We can never go wrong with watching movies and crafts.
We don’t need to spend money to enjoy the holiday. These are great ideas. Kids can enjoy these like this.
I have so many good camping memories. I agree town parks are an awesome place for the kids too.
My kids love bowling they had the best time doing that this summer!
Going to the beach is the kids’ favorite thing to do whenever it’s summer. Can’t wait to do it all over again!
I love going to the beach, you can never get bore as there is so much to do and discover and you’re right, it is cheap!
these are great ideas for kids. my kids loved zoo books when they were little, so much fun to read.