Affordable Summer Weekend Fun: Exciting Family Activities
Summer weekends are the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with your family without breaking the bank.
If you’re a mom like me, you know how important it is to find fun and budget-friendly activities. Whether you have younger kids or tweens, there’s plenty to do that won’t cost you a dime. Let’s dive into some awesome ideas for cheap, fun family activities this summer!
Explore the Great Outdoors
Nature Walks and Hiking Adventures
One of the simplest and most enjoyable ways to spend a summer weekend is by exploring nature. Kids love the adventure of discovering new trails and the excitement of spotting wildlife.
- Local Parks and Nature Reserves: Find a nearby park or nature reserve. Many have easy trails perfect for young kids and more challenging paths for older ones.
- Scavenger Hunts: Create a nature scavenger hunt. List items like a pine cone, a red leaf, a smooth rock, or a bird feather. Kids love the thrill of finding each item!
- Geocaching: This modern-day treasure hunt uses GPS to find hidden “caches.” It’s a great way for tweens to learn navigation skills while having fun.
Beach Day Bonanza
Nothing screams summer like a day at the beach. And the best part? It’s free! The only expense you may have is the snacks and drinks you pack in the cooler.
- Sandcastle Competitions: Bring along some buckets and shovels and see who can build the most impressive sandcastle.
- Beach Games: Play classic games like beach volleyball, frisbee, or even just splashing in the waves.
- Shell or Stone Collecting: Younger kids will love collecting shells, cool shapes beach stones and other treasures. Turn it into a learning activity by identifying different types of shells.
Creative and Crafty Activities
DIY Crafts at Home
Rainy day? No problem! Keep your kids entertained with some DIY crafts that won’t cost much.
- Smush Art: A mess-friendly painting activity that encourages creativity by smushing different colours together on a canvas covered in cling wrap.
- Rock Painting: Remember those flat stones you collected on the beach? Paint them with acrylic paint and paint pens and seal them with Mod Podge. Designs like ladybugs and other cute insects are fun and easy. You can also paint rocks with kindness messages. Put them in your garden or distribute them out in your community for people to find. It’s a great way to spread joy and love!
- Recycled Crafts: Turn old cereal boxes, toilet paper rolls, tissue paper and other recyclables into creative masterpieces. Think homemade bird feeders, windsocks, or jewelry.
- Tie-Dye Fun: All you need is some old white shirts and a tie-dye kit. Let the kids go wild creating their own colorful designs.
25 Rainy Day Activites For Little Kids
Sidewalk Chalk Art
Transform your driveway or sidewalk into a canvas.
- Art Contests: Have a family art contest with different themes. You can even invite neighbors to join in!
- Hopscotch and Games: Draw out a hopscotch grid or create your own unique games.
- Positive Messages: Encourage your kids to write uplifting messages or draw pictures that can brighten someone’s day.
Educational and Engaging Experiences
Visit Local Museums and Libraries
Many local museums and libraries offer free or discounted admission days, especially during the summer.
- Story Time at the Library: Younger kids will love storytime sessions. Check your local library’s schedule for special events and activities.
- Museum Scavenger Hunts: Some museums offer scavenger hunt activities. It’s a fun way for tweens to explore and learn.
- DIY Library: Create a mini-library at home. Have your kids pick a book and then have a family reading hour.
Science Experiments at Home
Who says learning can’t be fun? Conduct some simple science experiments using household items.
- Volcano Eruption: Make a baking soda and vinegar volcano.
- DIY Slime: Kids and tweens will love making their own slime with glue, baking soda, and contact solution.
- Plant Growth: Grow beans in a clear plastic cup. It’s fascinating for kids to watch the roots and shoots grow.
Fun and Games in the Backyard
Backyard Camping is one of the most fun, cheap summer family activities ever!
Turn your backyard into a camping adventure without the hassle of packing up the car. No long drives and no paying for a campsite!
- Tent Setup: Set up a tent and have a backyard sleepover.
- Campfire Stories: Gather around a makeshift campfire (or just use a flashlight) and tell spooky or funny stories.
- Stargazing: Lay out blankets and look for constellations. There are plenty of free apps that can help identify stars and planets.
Water Fun
Beat the heat with some water-based activities.
- Sprinkler Fun: Turn on the sprinkler and let the kids run through it.
- Water Balloons: Have a water balloon fight or play games like water balloon toss.
- DIY Slip and Slide: Use a tarp and some dish soap to create your own slip and slide.
Local Community Events
Farmer’s Markets and Festivals
Check out local community calendars for free events.
- Farmer’s Markets: Many farmer’s markets have free samples, live music, and sometimes even petting zoos or pony rides.
- Summer Festivals: Look for free entry festivals with family-friendly activities like face painting, crafts, and live performances.
- Outdoor Movies: Some communities host free outdoor movie nights. Bring a blanket and some popcorn for a fun family movie night under the stars.
Volunteering Together
Teach your kids the value of giving back while having fun.
- Community Clean-Up: Participate in a local park or beach clean-up day.
- Animal Shelters: Volunteer at an animal shelter. Many shelters welcome families to help care for the animals.
- Neighborhood Projects: Help out a neighbour in need with yard work or other tasks. It’s a great way to bond and teach kindness.
Cooking and Baking Adventures
Family Cooking Day
Get everyone involved in the kitchen.
- Homemade Pizza: Let each family member create their own pizza with their favourite toppings.
- Baking Cookies: Have a cookie-baking day and let the kids decorate them with icing and sprinkles.
- DIY Ice Cream: Make homemade ice cream in a bag. It’s easy and delicious! Or take a stroll down to your local ice cream parlour if you prefer!
Picnic in the Park
Pack up your homemade goodies and enjoy a meal outside.
- Themed Picnics: Have a themed picnic like a teddy bear picnic or a fancy tea party.
- Games and Activities: Bring along some games like a frisbee, kite, or a simple deck of cards.
- Nature Exploration: After your meal, take a walk and explore the park.
Enjoy Summer With These Cheap Fun Family Activities!
Summer weekends don’t have to be expensive to be memorable. With a little creativity and planning, you can find plenty of cheap fun summer family activities that everyone will enjoy.
Whether it’s exploring the great outdoors, getting crafty at home, or discovering new local events, there’s something for every family.
So grab your sunscreen, gather the fam jam, and make the most of your summer weekends with these fun and budget-friendly ideas!
Until next time, K.
Kelly is the founder and creative force behind Just Our View From Here. As a first-time mom over 40, she brings a fresh perspective to parenting and family life on her blog. Kelly also explores a wide range of lifestyle topics in her writing, including fashion, beauty, self-care, and well-being.