Do you want to know how you can have fun on a budget this summer? Looking for cheap or free things to do? Then this article might be just what you are looking for.
The summer holidays are exciting and can be full of fun but what about the stress of all the extra expense? Keeping the kids entertained can be tricky and the temptation to spend money on a solution is strong. If you are on a tight budget then it’s time to get creative.
Here are some ways that you can have fun this summer on a low budget.
Summer Fun On A Budget
Take A Dip
Visiting the local swimming pool can be expensive as well as very busy. You could stay home and make good use of your paddling pool instead. You can pick up paddling pools for the garden really inexpensively. Look out for those end of the season sales, when the stores will be getting ready to clear the summer stock to make way for the Autumn season.
If the weather isn’t on your side you could bring the pool inside and fill it with plastic balls instead.
Some parks have splash parks within them that are totally free to use, just take a towel and a swimsuit with you.
Show The Library Some Love
There are so many fantastic libraries and they are totally free to visit. As well as being able to borrow books some libraries have fun little play areas for the kids too.
There are often craft activities and other events available during the school holidays.
Be Part Of The Community
With a little research, you can often find lots of free activities and events in your local area. Many are free or very low-cost and are a great way to meet other families or make new friends. Not only do things like this support the community it also exposes kids to new experiences.
Use What You Have
Don’t forget about the cupboard full of toys, games, and crafts that you already have. I bet if you look hard enough you will find you have enough things to keep kids occupied for the whole of the summer. Take an inventory of everything you already have I think you will be surprised.
Toy rotation is something that might work to keep the boredom at bay. Swapping toys out each week during the summer will keep the kids busy and help them to rediscover some forgotten favourite things.
Holiday At Home
A sleepover in the garden or even in the living room is an awfully big adventure when you are a kid. To keep this really budget friendly you could borrow a tent instead of buying one. You could have a backyard cookout and roast some marshmallows over a campfire followed by homemade hot chocolate before bed.
You could also pick up an inexpensive plastic sandpit or builders mixing tray to put sand in to recreate a beach in the garden. There are lots of other fun inexpensive play ideas you can create with a tuff spot tray too.
Make Your Own
Kids love ice lollies or popsicles in the summer and it’s easy to spend a fortune stocking up the freezer. You could keep the cost down this year by making your own homemade ice lollies. Get the kids involved and let them create their own flavours. Check out our frozen strawberry and yoghurt ice lollies post to get you started.
Blackberry bushes are abundant with fruit in the late summer and picking them is so much fun. Take a walk around your local area and see if you can spot any then take them home and make a delicious blackberry pie or crumble together as a family.
I hope my simple ideas have given you some inspiration for your own budget-friendly low-cost summer fun.
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