The Best Free (Or Almost Free) Things To Do This Summer
When summer rolls around, it can feel like you’re expected to spend, spend, spend, especially when the kids are on summer holidays. How do we keep them busy? How do we fill their days without draining our bank account?
Day trips. Ice cream stops. Amusement parks. “Just one little outing” that somehow turns into a $100.00 day. Even tickets to a movie for a family of four can cost up to $100.00, but here’s the truth: some of the most meaningful summer memories don’t cost much at all.
If you’re raising a family—or you’ve raised one—you already know this. The laughter, the togetherness, the slow days, those are the things that stick, and those are the things your kids actually remember. I’ve heard it before from my own adult kids. They remember the days we went to parks, local farms to see the animals, blowing bubbles in the backyard with the sprinkler running, reading books together in the evening, and roasting marshmallows over a simple backyard fire pit.
So if you’re looking for ways to enjoy summer without draining your bank account, here are some very simple, low-cost ideas that still feel special.
1. Backyard Picnics (Yes, Really)
You don’t need a scenic park to make a memory. Lay out a blanket in your backyard (or even your living room if it’s raining), make simple sandwiches, cut up some fruit, pack some cookies, and call it a picnic. Let the kids help. That’s half the fun. Bring some board games or colouring books out to the backyard with you, too. The whole afternoon will go by without you even noticing.
Bonus: no parking, no crowds, no extra cost.
Backyard Picnics
There’s something about eating out in the fresh air. Make a picnic fun with a variety of foods and games.
2. Evening Walks That Turn Into Adventures
There’s something about summer evenings that makes everything feel a little magical. Take a walk after dinner and let it be slow:
Look for fireflies
Count dogs
Let the kids ride bikes or scooters
It doesn’t have to be structured. Those unplanned moments are often the ones they remember. It’s more about the time together on a walk that I feel the kids love. I remember taking our kids on many walks. We would head down to the lake, which is about a 10-minute walk from our home. Down by the water, there were so many things for them to explore, and there was plenty of wildlife for them to see, too. All of us benefited from being in the sunshine and fresh air with time to talk to each other.
3. Visit Your Local Library (It’s a Hidden Gem)
I’ve mentioned this in previous posts, but your local library is one of the most underrated free resources.
Many offer:
Summer reading programs
Free activities for kids
Movie days or craft afternoons
And of course—books you can take home without spending a dime. The kids loved to each pick books for me to read to them later that day. Reading before bed was a must with all four of my kids.
You can also find many “little libraries” in your area where you “take a book and share a book”. Use the Little Free Library app to find one near you.
4. Water Fun Without the Price Tag
You don’t need a pool membership to cool off.
Try:
A sprinkler in the yard
Buckets, cups, and water play
Local splash pads are often free
Local beach area
Kids don’t care how fancy it is—they just want to get wet and laugh.
5. At-Home Movie Nights (Make It an Event)
Instead of heading to the theatre, create your own experience at home.
Let each child pick a movie on different nights
Make popcorn together
Turn off the lights and “set up” the room
You can even print simple “movie tickets” to make it feel fun and special.
6. Declutter & “Shop” Your Own Home
This one is surprisingly fun. Have the kids go through toys, books, or clothes and create a “store” at home.
Then:
Swap items
Trade toys
Rediscover things they forgot about
You could even use play money from a board game that you have at home and pretend they have money to spend at the “store”. It costs nothing—but feels like something new.
7. Explore Local Parks You’ve Never Tried
Most families have a “usual” park—but there are often many more nearby. Sometimes we don’t realize the places in our town that are right under our noses.
Make a list and try a new one each week. It turns something simple into a mini adventure.
Local Parks
Look for parks in your area that you don’t usually frequent.
8. The “Occasional Treat” Rule
This one isn’t completely free, but it’s intentional. Instead of frequent small spending, choose one planned treat:
Ice cream once a week
A special outing once a month
Pizza for dinner once a month
It keeps spending in check and makes it feel more meaningful because it doesn't happen all the time.
Occasional Treat
Having a special treat every so often makes it more meaningful.
9. Simple Craft Days at Home
You don’t need elaborate supplies.
Use what you already have:
Paper, scissors, glue
Old magazines for collages
Recycled boxes and containers
My husband would pick up simple supplies at garage sales in our area. I kept a box of craft supplies, colouring books, and old magazines, so when the kids felt like colouring or making something, it was all in one place. I even did this when I babysat for a time. Kids love making things, and it’s a good hands-on experience.
The birthday parties my kids remember are the ones where they would invite their friends over to paint T-shirts. The dollar store was perfect for picking up supplies for this without going overboard on spending. Then we would set up a couple of tables outside, so the mess wouldn’t be in the house. They all loved it, and their friends were able to take their creation home.
Let it be messy. Let it be imperfect. That’s where the fun is.
It’s Not About the Money
It’s easy to feel like you’re “not doing enough” if you’re not constantly spending, but kids don’t measure summer by how much you spend.
They remember:
Time together
Feeling relaxed (this one is especially important in our very hurried world)
Laughing over small things
And often, those come from the simplest days.
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