Summer has arrived but it’s not too late to plan some frugal family fun. I’m always looking for fun things for us to do as a family over the Summer months. It can be hard to keep the kids busy in the summer and stop the cries of boredom. Of course, having fun on a budget is a top priority for this frugal family.

I’ve come up with some ideas for enjoying a fun family Summer on a budget.

 

Plant A Garden/Grow Your Own

If you have a garden then there’s no doubt that the kids will be spending lots of time in it over the Summer. If your kids are like mine they will love getting their hands dirty from helping with the gardening.

Another great thing to do with the kids in the garden is to let them grow their own fruits and veggies. Not only does it teach them where their food comes from it might encourage them to eat new things too.

You can pick up compost, potting soil, and bedding plants at great prices from discount stores. It’s also worth keeping an eye on websites like The Soil Association and Innocent who regularly give away free seeds. You could also ask your local buy nothing group if anyone has any cuttings or plants for free.

Picnics

Nothing says Summer like a family picnic. We take every opportunity to take one with us on day trips. The kids love helping to make the sandwiches for it and we save a ton of money by not buying the overpriced food at the places we visit. A picnic in your own garden can be just as lovely too.

Garden Camping

Setting up a tent in the garden will create lots of excitement for the kids. A free and frugal way to feel like you’re on holiday is to spend a warm summer evening sleeping under the stars. It’s the perfect way to camp, the toilet and kitchen are close by for those midnight emergencies. Also, you could consider getting an inflatable bubble tent.

Dance In The Summer Rain

Don’t let the rain keep you indoors, get outside, and dance in the rain. Your kids will think you are crazy but they will have a blast.

Nature Photo Shoot

You could go on a nature walk and spot the signs of summer together. Take a camera and snap some photos of the flowers, creatures, and trees that you see. Alternatively find lavender, sunflowers, or poppies for an Instagram-worthy family photoshoot.

This is also a great activity to open up a conversation about the seasons and how they change too.

Playground Hunt On Google Maps

This one is so much fun! look on google maps for all of the playgrounds local to you and then walk to them. You never know you could uncover a hidden gem you never even knew about.

Paint and Hide Rocks

Painting and hiding rocks and pebbles are really popular and lots of fun. Decorating the rocks is just the start, hiding them all over your local area is the really exciting part. If you check Facebook you should be able to find a local group where you can post your finds. Hunting for painted rocks is a great way to explore locally and join in a community activity.

Bake-Off

Why not host your own summer bake-off. Let the kids choose something to bake each week or let them challenge you to bake it. You could visit a pick your own fruit farm to get summery ingredients for your bakes.

Another idea is to arrange a bake-off playdate with the other parents over the summer holidays.

Discount Days

Even though summer is the peak time for many attractions there are still entry discounts to be had. Keep an eye out for on-pack promotions in the supermarkets, I’ve spotted free kids entry and 2 for 1 on tickets recently.

Check out websites like Buyagift or Groupon for discounts on family days out or experiences.

Community Farms

We are lucky that we have a few local community farms that we love to visit every year. These types of farms are often free or have a very low entry fee. They are usually run by charities and volunteers and many offer a hands-on experience for the kids. Our favourite is Acorn Farm in Merseyside which we try to visit at least once a year.

Check the Leaf Open Farm Sunday website to see if there’s a farm in the UK near you taking part in the free open day this year.

What are your ideas for family fun on a budget? Leave me a comment below I love hearing from you.

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