50 Budget-Friendly Activities For Summer

50 Budget-Friendly Activities For Summer

It’s summertime! Get ready for long, lazy days filled with moments that are sure to become priceless memories you and your family will treasure forever. And the best news? It doesn’t have to cost much at all. Here are 50 budget-friendly activities to try this summer.

1. Visit a farmer’s market. Not only do you get to spend time in the sun browsing all the fun stalls, but you also get to bring home farm-fresh, in-season produce!
2. Make homemade ice cream. Nothing is better on a hot summer day than a cold, creamy treat you make yourself.
3. Clean a stream. Team up with some friends to clean up a local stream and then enjoy the beautiful sight of a clear, trash-free waterway.
4. Visit a local museum. Lots of smaller museums have free-admission days and loads of interesting exhibits.
5. Have a water-balloon fight. Perfect for a sweltering hot day!
6. Paint rocks. It’s a relaxing, out-of-the-box activity that costs next to nothing.
7. Make a campfire. If you have a fire pit, pile up some wood and grab some marshmallows for a cozy night under the stars! Just be sure to follow fire safety protocol in your area.
8. Play backyard games. Think giant Jenga, ladder toss, and more.
9. Upcycle or refurbish an old piece of furniture. Ready your DIY skills, and add a one-of-a-kind furniture piece to your home! And you’ll be rescuing old furniture from the dump. Just check Facebook Marketplace or your local thrift store for a great deal.
10. Take a walk or hike in nature. Explore your neighborhood or even visit a state park! This is even more fun with loved ones, and there’s no better feeling than getting outside and enjoying the warm summer weather. In the hottest part of the season, go in the morning or the evening for the best conditions.
11. Go biking. Feel the sun on your skin and get your blood pumping!
12. Train for a 5K. Look for a local race benefiting a cause or charity you’d like to support, and then start training for it!
13. Go hammocking. Outdoor naps are the best kind of naps.
14. Find a festival. Summertime festivals, from the county fair to craft festivals, are always fun and often free.
15. Plan an outdoor movie night. All you’ll need is a bedsheet, projector, popcorn, and your favorite films for a night out at the movies underneath the stars.
16. Go birdwatching. For the most fun, look up what birds are common in your area, and then get outside and see if you can spot any of the ones you read about!
17. Fly a kite. This old-fashioned activity is still fun for people of all ages. You can build one from scratch or buy one from a sporting goods store and find an open field to let it fly.
18. Play flashlight tag. Bring the whole family or a group of friends outside when it gets dark for this fun game under the stars.
19. Paint a canvas. Even if you’re no Bob Ross, painting is a fun and relaxing activity – you can even draw inspiration from the summer scenery outdoors to help you decide what to paint.
20. Write a short story or blog post! Pick your favorite form of writing and get those creative juices flowing.
21. Have a cooking competition. Invite some culinarily-inclined friends over and see who can make the best meal! You’ll all enjoy a night of entertainment, laughs, and get to feast on the (hopefully) delicious results.
22. Go to the beach or lake. Pick the nearest body of water, and go have some fun amongst the waves!
23. Build a Lego masterpiece. In recent years, Lego has made kits catered to people of all ages, from flower bouquets to Harry Potter scenes! You’re never too old to get building.
24. Put together a puzzle. When you finally finish, consider gluing it together and hanging it on the wall for instant home décor!
25. Play charades. This classic game never goes out of style.
26. Paint a wall. If you’re lucky enough to own your living space, consider painting a wall a fun color or even trying your hand at a mural. If it turns out bad, you can always paint the original color back over it.
27. Try a new food. Maybe you’ve never tried sushi—or ketchup-flavored chips. Whatever you choose, it can be super fun to try being an adventurous eater.
28. Have a fashion show. Dig out your old favorite clothing – you might be surprised by what you find and the outfits you can make!
29. Make sock puppets. Grab some old socks, markers, and googly eyes, and you’ve got yourself the makings of a puppet show.
30. Volunteer. Help out your community for a day by finding a charity that supports a cause you care about.
31. Make homemade playdough or slime. It is fun to make and even more fun to play with when it’s ready.
32. Play backyard games. Whether you’re having a gathering or not, giant Jenga, ladder toss, and cornhole are always fun.
33. Learn a new language. Dreaming of a vacation somewhere else? Get a head start by learning their language through an app like Duolingo.
34. Have a yard sale. Get rid of clutter and earn some pocket change at the same time.
35. Go camping. Many campsites are low or no cost, so reserve one and enjoy an inexpensive getaway in the great outdoors.
36. Wash your car. Make it fun with extra sponges and lots of bubbles, and enjoy a squeaky-clean ride afterward!
37. Host a talent show. This way, you can discover what talents are hidden amongst your family or friends.
38. Get a makeover. Whether you paint your nails, do a full face of makeup, or just style your hair differently, it can be super fun to try something new with your look!
39. Write a letter. Grab a pen and paper and make someone’s day.
40. Set up a lemonade stand. If you have little ones, this can be a super sweet and rewarding activity.
41. Spend a day at the library. Find a new book to read or check out the local programming, like a story hour for kids!
42. Go stargazing. On a clear night, spread some blankets out in the backyard and get lost in the breathtaking beauty of the summer night sky.
43. Practice origami. Perfect for a rainy day, this paper-folding activity is calming, creative, and costs almost nothing at all.
44. Plant a flower or vegetable garden. What better time to coax growing things from the earth than summertime?
45. Have a picnic. Pack up a basket bursting with goodies, take a short drive to a scenic spot, and enjoy a wonderful, relaxed meal in the great outdoors.
46. Go someplace new. Whether it’s a neighboring town, you’ve always meant to visit or a park you’ve never been to in your town, hop in the car, turn on some tunes, and get exploring.
47. Play a round of disc golf. This popular sport can be enjoyed by the entire family. Grab a frisbee, find a course nearby, and get throwing!
48. Build a pillow fort. Build it facing your TV so you can watch a movie from your new castle when you’re done.
49. Go fishing. Enjoy a day by the water and come home with something fresh for dinner!
50. Host a potluck dinner. Have everyone bring a dish and enjoy an evening with good food and good company.

We hope this gave you some ideas for budget-friendly activities to try this summer. If you enjoyed this article, check out the rest of our MoneySmart Tips blog. Have a great summer!