Looking for fun and affordable summer activities to do with the entire family? Now that summer is officially here, we have been doing a lot of activities on the weekends and I would like to share a few with you guys.
Summer is a great time to head out of your home and get some sunshine. But all the trips, vacations and outdoor activities can quickly add up and can take your budget for a toss. Especially when you have kids or a big family, it can start getting really difficult to manage your time and money.
Here’s a list of some fun activities for the entire family that are either completely free or that are budget friendly –
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Build a cardboard fort
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Plan a fun family game night and play board games
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Make a bird feeder
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Make a fairy garden
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Have a fun water balloon fight in your backyard
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Go on a treasure hunt in a nearby trail in your area
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Play Tennis or Frisbee
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Volunteer at a local animal shelter
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Donate old clothes
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Collect shells while you are on the beach with your kids
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Learn a new sport
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Go Geocaching with the entire family
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Find out free activities in your local library or in your town and attend them
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Fly a Kite
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Go Biking along a new trail
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Go to the local Farmers’ Market
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Plant seeds and watch them grow
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Make homemade ice cream or ice cream cake with the kids
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Have a sleepover party
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Get a Live Butterfly Kit and watch the caterpillars turn into Butterflies
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Paint terra cotta pots and plant your favorite flowers in them
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Create a Popcorn Bar and enjoy a late night movie at home
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Have a sandcastle making competition at the beach
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Stargaze and find out what stars and constellations you can see by using Free Apps like SkyView
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Visit a Free DIY/ Crafts Workshop at stores like Michaels. Click here to find classes near your location
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Go Horseback riding
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Camp in your Backyard
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Go Berry Picking in your nearest farm
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Declutter your closet or garage
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Go to a Garage Sale or Yard Sale or host your own Yard Sale
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Make Smores
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Attend a parade in your city or town
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Make fresh jam from fruits that are in season
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Rearrange your furniture and change the look of your home
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Walk barefoot in the grass
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Host a Potluck Party
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Watch a Free Outdoor Movie
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Go to a Restaurant where Kids Eat free
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Find out Free Summer Concerts in your area and attend them
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Collect unique shaped rocks and paint them or place them in your garden.
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Ask a friend or grandparent to watch the kids and go on a Date Night
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Have a Karaoke Night with friends and family
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Find out Free Cooking classes hosted at your local grocery stores and attend one of them
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Learn new photography skills by taking photos at different angles and at different times of the day
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Have a quiet family meal with no cell phones and no TV
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Read a book you’ve always wanted to read
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Go to a few open houses near your area even if you aren’t looking to buy a house.
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Visit a winery offering free wine tastings and make a picnic out of it
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Go to one of your favorite restaurants or ice cream joints just for dessert
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Go Kayaking
And a few more –
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Go to street fairs
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Take an impromptu one-day road trip
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Go swimming and hang out at the pool with ice-cold beverages
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Play Xbox or PlayStation games meant for the whole family
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Visit a city you have never visited before. Tip: Use CityPASS to save money
‘Seen on MovingBabies
Summer is a time of endless fun. I hope some of these ideas inspired you to create everlasting memories with your family and friends. Which of these activities are you most looking forward to?
*Image courtesy: Pixabay & Unsplash
Erika Kind
July 13, 2017You know what? Number 4 had my heart on hello! And so did number 46. I don’t have much time but will make it an effort to create that fairy garden. What a lovely idea!!
smilingnotes
July 13, 2017I’ve always wanted to make a fairy garden too! Definitely going to make one this summer 🙂 Thanks for always being so sweet, Erika.
Erika Kind
July 13, 2017I think I only need to improve it a bit with little gifts for the fairies since I have placed some figurines around my patio. So, it is more about the closer connection and being more in that sphere. I would love to see some photos once your fairy garden is done, Shamira. Thank you so much for our kindness ?
smilingnotes
July 13, 2017That sounds totally awesome! I would love to see a few photos, Erika. And I will definitely share a few photos once I’m done making one ?
Erika Kind
July 13, 2017I will see if I can remember once I have the opportunity and of course, the little gifts for the fairies and natural spirits ?
smilingnotes
July 13, 2017Hehe yes.. take your time?
Erika Kind
July 13, 2017??
anroworld
July 14, 2017Oh my what a big list to do! Hope something will be possible to fulfill! And which is your favorite, dear?
smilingnotes
July 14, 2017Yes..so many things to do..so little time 😀 My favorite has to be finding out free activities to do near my home and planting seedlings. The joy of watching them grow is so amazing 🙂
anroworld
July 14, 2017Yeah, that sounds lovely! Do you have a big garden?
smilingnotes
July 14, 2017Nope.. I have a small patio area where I try to grow plants and flowers. I’m no expert but I try my best ?
anroworld
July 14, 2017You will have fun and success, Shamira, have no doubts! Enjoy it!
smilingnotes
July 14, 2017Thank you, Ann! Best wishes to you as well. Oh and btw, I’m loving your instagram feed ?
anroworld
July 14, 2017Thank you so much, Shamira, I am so happy you like it, I love yours too! You are so creative and I’m so impressed with your website and posts full of such bright ideas. I am very impressed with your design ideas! So happy to make friends with you! People like you make this world colorful!
smilingnotes
July 14, 2017You made my day with your sweet words and compliments and I mean it from the bottom of my heart. Blessed to be in touch with such a kind hearted and talented soul like you ??
Rhonda Sittig
July 17, 2017Keeping this!! So many fun ideas!! thanks.
smilingnotes
July 17, 2017Yup! I always feel like summer comes with so many ideas but so little time ?
Rhonda Sittig
July 17, 2017But it’s great to have a plan!! (I do Grammy Camp with my 3 older grand-girls and am always looking for ideas!! xo
smilingnotes
July 17, 2017Yup! Always great to have plans ? Grammy Camp sounds like so much fun, Rhonda. I bet they enjoy it!
Sarah Stockley (@kipperscurtains)
August 15, 2017Board games are a great thing to do and I love the bird feeder idea. Sarah #ExplorerKids
smilingnotes
August 16, 2017Glad you liked the ideas, Sarah! ?
rawsonjl
August 15, 2017We made jam for the first time ever this summer and we just loved it!
smilingnotes
August 15, 2017That’s awesome. I made jam for the first time too this summer and was surprised to find how easy it is to make! ?
ethannevelyn.com
August 16, 2017Great tips! I must say – it is so heard to keep the kids bust whilst not breaking the bank this Summer! lol!
Once question: – What’s “Make Smores”?
Thanks for linking up with us on #ExplorerKids linky. 🙂 x
smilingnotes
August 16, 2017Yeah summer can sometimes turn to be really expensive with all the outings and activities. Oh and S’mores is a treat that is mostly made during campfires.. it’s made by roasting marshmallows and then sandwiching it between graham crackers and a layer of chocolate ?Tastes yum ?
ethannevelyn.com
August 16, 2017Oh… I see! Sound really good fun and tasty too! 🙂 x
Emma T
August 20, 2017People always say their kids are bored, but this is a great list. It just takes a little thought #explorerkids
smilingnotes
August 20, 2017Yup, I agree. Thank you so much, Emma ?
Sus // roughmeasures.com
August 22, 2017Some great tips there! No excuses for bored kids now. #explorerlinky
Fahim Ahsan
September 12, 2017Great list. I’ll definitely try to do 20+ thing from this list. And rest 30 are not good fit for me.
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