Summer is almost over, but there is still time to get out and have fun. With BBQ’s, camping, vacations, and other activities filling up your schedule, it may seem hard to keep that balance of having fun and warding off overspending. If you find yourself feeling a little guilty about all the money being spent during the nice weather, here are a few fun summer activities that are cheap but enjoyable for the whole family.
City Parks
Every city and town has at least one park. While technically you pay for the parks with your property taxes, they almost all free to use. Chances are you have a park fairly close to your house that has a tennis court, basketball court, splash pad, or playground where you can go to enjoy the entire afternoon. Bring something to eat from home so when the ice cream truck drives by you aren’t tempted to spend anything.
Fishing Trip
While getting out and fishing is not an activity for everyone, it is certainly fun for many people. Where I live I have a river that is less than a 5 minute drive from the house, or a number of mountain lakes that are just about an hour away. With nice weather you can pack a picnic and go play in the water while fishing. With any luck you will be saving money by bringing home dinner.
Volunteering
Summer is construction season. That means organizations like Habitat for Humanity are in full swing. Not only will you feel good about giving back to the community, you will also have another item to add to your resume if you should find yourself looking for a job. All sorts of skills are needed for these places.
Bike Rides
Growing up one of my favorite parts of summer was getting on my bike and exploring. I could ride for hours just to see the world in a new light and catch the views that you can’t get while in a vehicle. The best part of riding bikes is all ages can enjoy the ride, and you get a great workout to help keep yourself healthy.
Community Events
Throughout the summer we have a lot of community events that take place. Alive After 5 is a great activity to go watch a band play while you socialize with others (and network). Shakespeare in the Park offers free theatre to anyone who wants to go. Symphony in the Park is another way to get caught up on your culture and enjoy a summer evening. Chances are your community offers similar programs. Just don’t get sucked into buying the overpriced beer and concessions.
Vacation Bible Schools
Nearly every church offers a vacation bible school program, and many of them coordinate so their programs are not overlapping. If you have children and you want them to go to a safe and fun environment (all while getting out of your hair), send them with a dollar or two per day (this is optional for the offering collected) and you will have a week’s worth of mornings to yourself. Find two churches that offer VBS a month apart from each other and you can double dip on this activity.
Wrapping it up
While there are a lot of great things to do in the summer, many of them cost money. Amusement parks, zoos, museums, and summer camps are fantastic activities, but the price tags can really climb high if you are not careful. So choose one or two of the pricey activities, but fill the days with the free or cheap ones to help ward off the summer boredom.
