Summer Fun on a Budget

It’s wonderful having the kids home for summer–but it’s also expensive. You can still have plenty of summer fun on a budget!

Summer Fun In a Budget

This post contains affiliate links.  Like most families, we love to save money. But once the kids are out of school, it’s sometimes hard to keep them entertained without spending.     Each spring, I sit down with my kids, and together we compile a summer bucket list, that contains fun things to do for the summer. It’s a great way to get the kids involved, and give them some things to look forward to during summer break!

Hit the Web for Summer Activities Inspiration

Check out some local websites and see what kinds of activities are being offered. Your local library, playground, museums, and even the local pool may have free admission days or activities scheduled. A little planning ahead can really pay off!

Playground Fun

Kids love the park, so what better way to spend an afternoon than pack an easy, kid-friendly sack lunch and head to the playground. Bring a blanket, a good book, and the kids and enjoy an afternoon in the sun!

Plant a Garden with Kids

My kids love helping out in the garden. This year, we have given them a section to call their own. They actually enjoy weeding and watering, and it keeps them busy. And the bonus will be the produce we can snack on later in the summer! 

Put On a Bike Parade with Kids

One thing we used to do as kids, is put on a bike parade every summer. All the neighborhood moms would get us kids together, and everyone would bring items to decorate bikes. We decorated our bikes with crepe paper and balloons. We kids would have a great time decorating our bikes, then parading them around the block. Afterwards, we were all rewarded with popsicles!

Camp with Your Kids In the Backyard!

Kids love roughing it. Even if you don’t have the time or the budget to plan a camping trip this summer, your kids can still camp out in the back yard. If you have a tent, you can set it up in the backyard. Even if you don’t, you can simply put up a fort, made of some old blankets. Set the kids up with sleeping bags, flashlights, and everything they need for their adventure and then let them spend the afternoon camping outdoors! Older kids can even spend the night in the wild if they’re brave enough!  And don’t forget to make camp fire foods like fruit and s’more cones!

Have a Lemonade Stand

You can’t go wrong with a homemade lemonade stand! This is a great activity that can be tailored to fit kids of all ages! Younger kids can help with making the lemonade and signs, manning the stand, and pouring drinks or collecting money. You can give older kids a budget to work within, and give them a “business loan” for their expenses, such as lemonade ingredients, poster board, and cups. Kids can then price their lemonade the way they want to and pay you back before calculating their profits. This is a wonderful way to demonstrate how a business operates!

Head to the Drive In

If you are lucky enough to have a drive in movie theater nearby, take advantage! This is an excellent way to see movies with the family while saving money. Our drive in shows double and triple features, and the price of tickets is way cheaper than seeing one movie in a traditional theater. I usually take my daughter with he friends and their moms, and we bundle all of the kids in the back of an SUV, and pass out treats that we bring from home (saving even more money!).  You can also enjoy a family movie night at home by creating a DIY drive in with an outside movie projector, a projector screen, and make “cars” for kids out of cardboard boxes with pillows and blankets!

Summer Crafts and Activities

• Camping with Kids (Tips for Families)
• Campfire Cones
• Kids Bored in the Summer? Here Are 15 Things to Do
• 14 Scrumptious Campfire Desserts You Need to Make This Summer 

What is your family’s favorite budget-friendly summer activity? Comment below!