100+ Free or Low Cost Ways to Have An Awesome Summer
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1. Create A Summer Bucket list
Keep the list thrifty and frugal by setting a price limit for events on the list. Not all the ideas have to be low cost, perhaps pick one or two splurge events and then brain storm ways to fund those.
Over 100 Cheap Summer Activities
2. Your Local Park
Generally most towns have some sort of free events taking place in the summer time. It might be a summer concert in the park, an antique car show, or a 4th of July parade. You can find out about most of these local activities by visiting your local newspapers website and searching the classifieds (or you could purchase a paper too, as often the free event finds are worth the subscription price of the paper).
3. Your Local Library
Another great source of family friendly free events are libraries.
Reading contests where they prizes were coupons for free ice-cream, fries, burgers and even a free ticket to the local water park.
Story time, puppet shows, craft time, knitting classes (for teens and adults), magic shows, animal information displays and much much more.
More Summer Reading Programs for Kids
4. Playground Meet Up Group
My weekly summer playgroup was something I looked forward to when my son was younger. It was very casual. It was a great way for my son to make friends and me to visit with everyone!
14 Classic Childhood Playground games
5. Reuse/Recycle: DIY Summer
Look around your home with new creative eyes. Those big boxes from appliances can be a fort, etc.
Don’t forget about the recycle bin, that can be a gold mine of continually growing arts and crafts supplies.
6. Free Redbox Movies
Redbox is always sending out free movie codes, 2 per month by signing up for their Text messages, emails and becoming part of their playpass club. Join here.
7. Free Bowling
If you live in an area where summers are so hot that going outside in the middle of the day is just too hot, then spend the afternoon inside air conditioning enjoying free bowling (shoe rental not included). You can get all the details over at KidsBowlFree.com
8. Kids Can Skate For Free
Kids Skate Free is another way of beating the summer afternoon heat while burning off energy. There is a charge for skate rentals.
9. Check you regions museums and zoos to see if they have discounted days
Our local zoo, the Cleveland Metro Parks Zoo has several times a year of free admission. If you live in or near a large center chances are their zoos and museums just might have a discounted or free time. I found them by spending a few minutes searching their websites, usually under hours and admissions under specials.
10. Take advantage of kid friendly happy hour at local restaurants
Steak & Shake, Sonic and more are all good choices because sometimes a cool treat on a hot summer’s day can be the perfect pick me up.
Sonic is offering 1/2 price shakes all summer
See more restaurant deals here
11. Beat the afternoon heat with a movie on the big screen
Regal, Cinemark and more offer $1 or FREE movies for the kids, see the list here.
12. Take a tour of your city
Get out your guide book or google and find those local science centers and parks you haven't been to yet.
The Ultimate Staycation List is a good resource.
13. Go on a walk
Sometimes we like to head out and visit with neighbors, check out the local park, etc.
14. Take a short trip
This is one way we pass the time, with Cedar Point only being an hour away. We love the waterpark too!
8 Ways to Save On Your Next Vacation
15. Host a backyard BBQ
Set up the grill and have a bbq!
Keep drinks cold with this trick
Red, white and blue cookie bark
50 Things to Grill in Foil on the Grill
16. Have a Yard Sale or Go to One
Whether you are checking out yard sales or hosting your own, this is a good way to spend the time.
17. Make homemade ice-cream together (no machine needed)
Something fun for those hot summer days, here's a great list of recipes.
18. Go Camping
Head out to the woods and go camping!
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