Affordable Summer Fun: 5 Budget-Friendly Activities for Families

Last Updated on June 22, 2024 by Andrea

Introduction

Summer is a great time to create lasting memories with your family, but summer fun doesn’t have to break the bank. For moms looking to make the most of the season without overspending, there are plenty of low-cost activities that can bring joy, learning, and togetherness. From splashing around in water, exploring the beauty of nature at the park, delving into the wonders of museums, to enjoying some fun board and video games at home, there are endless opportunities for family bonding and summer fun. Let’s dive into five creative and budget-friendly ways to make this summer special for you and your loved ones.

1.      Water

Kids and water go together like peanut butter and jelly. Even just filling a kiddy pool with water can be a win. I saw one woman post on Instagram today that she put large paintbrushes (like for painting walls) in a bucket of water and her kids “painted” the concrete driveway.

The sprinklers of yesteryear have given way to loads of hose-related fun. I have a friend who couldn’t afford these, so she just sprayed her kids while they ran around having fun in the front yard.

If you are blessed to live near a beach, lake, pond, or river, you have built in water fun right near your home. When my husband was going to school full time and working full time the kids and I spent a lot of time at the beach. Money was tight and the beach is free near us. I brought picnic food from home and away we went! If you can afford beach shovels, inner tubes, and boogey boards, great. If not, I guarantee kids still know how to have summer fun with water!

2. Park

The park can be a great place to build memories and burn some of that kid energy. Bring a ball and play catch or kick ball. Use the playground equipment. Encourage the kids to use their imagination! My kids loved to play pirate ship or restaurant on the equipment.

Parks are another great place for a picnic, so scour the fridge and pantry for easy foods to take along.

You can also do a nature hunt at a park. This is a great way to get in touch with God’s creation. Identify birds, plants, and insects. Want to give a prize for the most found or the most interesting? Get something at the dollar store or give the winner a break on some chores. My kids love getting chore-reducing prizes!

Need more park ideas? Here’s a list of 10 outdoor nature games for kids.

3. Museum

While most people don’t think of taking kids to museums, let me tell you. My kids LOVED going to museums. They see the world so differently than I do, and it was always fascinating to see what they gravitated toward.

Go at their pace. If they want to go through a room quickly, then do that. If they want to slow down and study something, do that. Some kids like to read the cards next to art and others do not. Do your best to honor each child’s needs.

Bring some paper and crayons/colored pencils. Let your kids draw paintings, sculptures, or anything else they find interesting. Ask them to tell a story about something they see. Encourage them to use their imagination!

Upside? Museums are air conditioned, so this is a great activity for super-hot days.

Remember, no running or touching in most museums. Need a more child-friendly museum? Do a Google search for ‘kids museums near me.’

Can’t afford the admission fees? No problem! The Smithsonian Institute has an entire website dedicated to kids. Many other museums have online activities for kids, so use these to introduce your kids to museums as a fun activity. Do this with your kids to build summer fun memories, though.

4. Old-School Games

Yup, I’m talking about board games and card games. Lots of kids haven’t been exposed to them. My kids LOVE board games. After they were a bit older, Risk was their favorite. When they were little, they loved chutes and ladders and sorry. Every game has some element of learning, whether it’s tactics or colors, so there’s something for everyone.

When my oldest could play but my youngest couldn’t, I would have the younger child “help” me play to beat his brother. Both my kids went through a season when they loved playing chess. Go figure!

Don’t have any games? Here’s a list of games you might like.

5. Video Games

I know, I know. For many of us, our goal is to get our kids OFF the video games. And I totally agree. But…

My kids LOVE when I play video games with them. Whether it’s building in Minecraft or playing with light sabers in Oculus, they love seeing me play in their world. My husband takes time to play a more grown-up game with our older teens now, too.

Meeting them in their world speaks very loudly to our kids. This is super important! Give it a try and limit the time, if you need to. You may find you like it!

BONUS: Baking/Cooking

Both of my kids loved helping in the kitchen, though they were also both very different. My oldest wanted to invent his own recipes and wing it. My youngest would smell spices and herbs and say how they would be best used (he was usually correct). At a young age, he could watch what I was doing, read the recipe, and jump in and help at the right place.

Though they had different styles, they both loved seeing their creations come out of the kitchen for the family to enjoy.

I tend to bake to show my family love. One of my sisters prefers cooking to baking, but she does it to share her love, too.

Not sure where to find good recipes? My favorite recipe sites are: Sally’s Baking Addiction and Tastes Better from Scratch. Both have plenty of recipes for the beginner and the advanced cook/baker.

Get Started for Summer Fun

I encourage you to pick something and get started. Take lots of pictures and have fun! Be present in the moment when you decide to do these activities. Share your pics and tag me in Instagram at @WriteSpeakRelate.

Conclusion

Creating cherished family moments doesn’t require a hefty budget. With a bit of creativity and intentional planning, you can fill your summer with fun, laughter, and learning. Whether you’re cooling off with water fun, appreciating the outdoors at a local park, discovering new things at a museum, or enjoying some friendly competition with board and video games, each activity offers a chance to strengthen family bonds and create memories that will last a lifetime. Embrace these low-cost activities, and enjoy a summer filled with love, joy, and the beauty of God’s blessings.

Have fun!

With love,

🌸 Andrea

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