Frugal Summer Activities For Families That Are Guaranteed Fun!

Summer is the perfect time to create lasting memories with your family without breaking the bank. With a bit of creativity and planning, you can enjoy a variety of frugal summer activities for families that will keep everyone entertained. Here’s a detailed guide on how to have a fun and affordable summer with your family.

*This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you buy a suggested product, I will earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.  For more information, see my disclosure page.

1. Explore Local Parks and Nature Trails

Local parks and nature trails are often free or have minimal entry fees. They offer a great opportunity for hiking, picnicking, and wildlife spotting. Pack a lunch, bring a blanket, and enjoy a day surrounded by nature. Many parks also have playgrounds and open spaces for games like frisbee, soccer, or tag. These are perfect examples of frugal summer activities for families that combine fun and education.

Tip: Look for parks with educational programs or guided tours to make the trip both fun and informative. Additionally, consider visiting during different times of the day to observe various wildlife and enjoy different atmospheres, such as a morning bird-watching session or an evening sunset hike.

2. Beach or Lake Day

A trip to a local beach or lake can be a refreshing and budget-friendly way to spend a summer day. Bring your own snacks, drinks, and beach toys to avoid expensive concessions. Enjoy swimming, building sandcastles, or playing beach volleyball. Don’t forget the sunscreen and plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Tip: Check if there are any free parking spots or discounted parking rates for early arrivals. Also, explore the possibility of borrowing or renting equipment like paddleboards or kayaks for added fun without a huge expense.

3. Backyard Camping

Transform your backyard into a campsite for a night under the stars. Set up a tent, gather around a fire pit, and enjoy activities like stargazing, storytelling, and roasting marshmallows. This can give the kids a sense of adventure without the cost of a camping trip, making it one of the most memorable frugal summer activities for families.

Tip: Use a star map app to identify constellations and make the night even more magical. You can also incorporate a mini scavenger hunt or nature bingo to keep the kids engaged and excited about their surroundings.

4. DIY Water Park

Beat the heat by creating a DIY water park at home. Use sprinklers, a kiddie pool, water balloons, and slip-and-slide mats to create a fun water play area. This is a great way for kids to cool off and have fun without the expense of a water park. It’s another fantastic example of frugal summer activities for families.

Tip: Set up a sunscreen station to ensure everyone stays protected from the sun. You can also organize water-based games and challenges, such as relay races or a water balloon toss, to keep the excitement levels high.

Amazon Pick: Inflatable water park

5. Community Events

Many communities host free or low-cost events during the summer, such as outdoor concerts, movies in the park, festivals, and farmers’ markets. Check your local community calendar for upcoming events and plan family outings around these activities.

Tip: Bring your own snacks and drinks to save money on concessions. Engage with local vendors and artisans at farmers’ markets to learn more about your community and perhaps even find some budget-friendly souvenirs or treats.

6. Library Programs

Local libraries often offer summer reading programs and free activities for children and families, such as storytimes, craft sessions, and educational workshops. Participating in these programs can keep kids engaged and learning throughout the summer.

Tip: Borrow books and movies from the library for additional free entertainment at home. Additionally, many libraries offer resources like board games, educational kits, and museum passes that can further enrich your summer experiences.

7. Cooking and Baking Together

Spend time together in the kitchen by trying out new recipes or baking treats. This is not only fun but also educational, as kids can learn about measurements, ingredients, and cooking techniques. You can make homemade pizza, cookies, or even try your hand at making ice cream.

Tip: Turn it into a themed cooking night, like an Italian night with homemade pasta or a Mexican night with tacos and salsa. You can also challenge your family to a “Chopped” style competition, where everyone must use a set of specific ingredients to create a dish.

If you need some easy, frugal recipes, be sure to check out Love To Frugal’s Recipes.

8. Gardening

Start a family garden, whether it’s in your backyard or in containers on your balcony. Planting flowers, vegetables, or herbs can be a rewarding and educational experience for kids. They’ll enjoy watching their plants grow and learning about nature.

Tip: Choose easy-to-grow plants like tomatoes, basil, or marigolds to ensure a successful gardening experience. You can also introduce composting to teach kids about recycling and environmental sustainability.

9. DIY Crafts

Gather supplies for arts and crafts projects. Use recyclable materials like cardboard, paper rolls, and plastic bottles to create fun and imaginative crafts. You can make bird feeders, decorate flower pots, or create a family scrapbook.

Tip: Look for craft ideas online or at your local library to find new and exciting projects. Additionally, consider making homemade gifts or decorations that can be used for birthdays or holidays, adding a personal touch to celebrations.

Also checkout your local Dollar Tree for super inexpensive craft supplies. They have everything from paints to canvas’ and so much more!

10. Bike Rides

Explore your neighborhood or nearby trails with family bike rides. This is a great way to stay active and enjoy the outdoors together. Plan a route that includes interesting stops like a playground, ice cream shop, or scenic lookout.

Tip: Ensure everyone wears helmets and follows safety rules for a fun and safe ride. You can also organize a family biking scavenger hunt where you look for specific landmarks or items along your route.

11. Board Game and Puzzle Nights

Host family game nights with board games, card games, or puzzles. This is a great way to bond, laugh, and engage in friendly competition. You can also have themed nights, such as a retro game night with classic board games or a trivia night.

Tip: Rotate games to keep things fresh and exciting each week. Consider creating a family tournament with a leaderboard to track wins and offer small prizes for the winners.

Check out these games on Amazon.

12. Visit Museums and Zoos

Many museums and zoos offer discounted or free admission days during the summer. Take advantage of these opportunities to explore new exhibits and learn together as a family.

Tip: Pack a picnic to enjoy in a nearby park to make it a full-day outing without extra meal expenses. Also, check if the museum or zoo offers any special summer programs or activities designed for families.

13. Geocaching Adventures

Geocaching is a real-world treasure hunt using GPS devices or smartphone apps. Families can search for hidden containers, called geocaches, in various locations. It’s an exciting way to explore new areas and enjoy the thrill of finding hidden treasures.

Tip: Bring small trinkets to exchange at the geocache sites and a notebook to document your finds. Geocaching can also be a great way to teach kids about navigation and geography. For more info, type in ‘what is geocaching’ or ‘how to geocache’ in your favorite search engine.

14. Volunteer Together

Volunteering as a family can be a fulfilling and educational experience. Look for local opportunities such as helping at a community garden, cleaning up a park, or volunteering at an animal shelter. It’s a great way to teach children about giving back and making a positive impact.

Tip: Choose volunteer activities that align with your family’s interests to make the experience more enjoyable and meaningful.

15. Explore Historical Sites

This is one of my favorites! Visiting historical sites can be both educational and entertaining. Many historic homes, battlefields, and landmarks offer free or inexpensive tours. This can be a great way to learn about local history and culture.

Tip: Combine your visit with a related activity, such as reading a book or watching a movie about the historical period you’re exploring.

16. Art and Music Festivals

Summer is the season for art and music festivals, many of which offer free admission. These events can be a great way to experience local culture, enjoy live performances, and see unique art.

Tip: Bring your own chairs or blankets to sit comfortably during performances and pack snacks to avoid pricey festival food.

17. Outdoor Sports and Activities

Take advantage of the warm weather by engaging in outdoor sports and activities. Organize family games of soccer, basketball, or tennis at local courts and fields. You can also try activities like frisbee golf or disc golf, which are often free to play and found in public parks.

Tip: Look for local sports leagues or recreational programs that offer low-cost participation for families and children.

18. Photography Walks

Turn a regular walk into a photography adventure. Give each family member a camera or smartphone and set off on a photo walk to capture interesting scenes, plants, animals, and architecture. Then later, you can create a family photo album or slideshow of your favorite shots.

Tip: Set themes for your photography walks, such as focusing on close-ups of nature, interesting shadows, or vibrant colors.

19. Bird Watching

Bird watching can be a peaceful and educational activity. Bring binoculars and a bird guidebook, and head to a local park or nature reserve. Spend the day observing and identifying different bird species.

Tip: Create a bird-watching journal where family members can record their sightings and draw or describe the birds they encounter.

Amazon Pick: Occer binoculars for adults & children

20. Homemade Science Experiments

Turn your home into a mini science lab with fun and educational experiments. There are countless easy and safe experiments you can do with household items, such as creating a baking soda and vinegar volcano, making slime, or building a simple rocket.

Tip: Use online resources to find step-by-step instructions and explanations for the experiments to help kids understand the science behind the fun.

21. Night Sky Exploration

On clear summer nights, spend time exploring the night sky. Teach your kids about different constellations, planets, and celestial events like meteor showers. Apps and websites can help you identify what you’re seeing in the sky.

Tip: Plan a night around a particular celestial event, such as a lunar eclipse or a meteor shower, and make it a special family night with snacks and blankets. This can add an extra layer of excitement to your night sky exploration, another wonderful addition to your list of frugal summer activities for families.

22. Fitness Challenges

Create family fitness challenges to stay active and healthy together. You can set up obstacle courses in your yard, have daily exercise routines, or challenge each other to complete a certain number of steps each day.

Tip: Use a fitness tracking app to monitor your progress and set fun rewards for achieving your goals.

23. DIY Carnival

Host a DIY carnival in your backyard with simple games and activities. Set up stations for ring toss, bean bag toss, water balloon darts, and other classic carnival games. You can even create a homemade photo booth with fun props.

Tip: Make homemade tickets and small prizes to give the carnival an authentic feel and add to the excitement.

24. Fishing Trips

If you live near a body of water, fishing can be a relaxing and rewarding activity. Teach your kids how to fish, and spend a day by the water enjoying nature and trying to catch some fish.

Tip: Check if you need any permits or licenses to fish in your area and ensure you follow local regulations.

By incorporating these fun and frugal activities into your summer plans, you can create wonderful memories for your families without straining your budget. Remember, the key to a great summer is spending quality time together and enjoying the simple pleasures life has to offer. Happy summer!

Other posts you may be interested in: Summer Saving Tips For A Fun And Affordable Summer

Also, be sure to subscribe to Love to Frugal so you never miss a post! You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook & Instagram for even more money saving, frugal living tips!