Summer is here for many of us on this side of the planet. Unfortunately, the inevitable truth is that while Summer has arrived, money is about to leave. It doesn’t have to be that way though. Even if you’re frugal and aim for low budget summer activities, you can still have lots of fun. Often, these cheaper activities turn out to be more fun and interactive than an expensive vacation.
Whether you’re a student, parent, or looking for budget activities to do with your friends over the Summer, you’ll find something you’ll enjoy on this list of things you can do without emptying the bank account for Autumn.
1. Play mini golf
Most large cities in North America have miniature golf courses. The best part is that they’re usually much cheaper than going to the professional courses, where you might not have as much fun — unless you’re a keen golfer.
2. Go Swimming
Go to your local swimming baths and take a dive. This also has obvious health benefits, as you’ll be getting some exercise too. If you don’t have swimming pools then be adventurous and go swimming in a lake, reservoir, or in the sea — just make sure it’s safe to do so first.
3. Climb a hill
Hills are smaller than mountains but big enough to still be a good day out. Whether you’re going with friends or family, it’s good to take in nature every once in a while, especially if you live in urban areas.
4. Climb a mountain
If you’re looking for something more adventurous that hill climbing, then go climb a mountain. If you’re planning on climbing a mountain then make sure you look up good routes and take the correct safety precautions. The mountain doesn’t have to be Everest, you can always go to your nearest one.
5. Go fruit picking
Different fruits have different seasons in the different parts of the world. Take a look at what’s available in your local area. For example, you could go strawberry picking. You usually buy a box and you can fill it with as much as you like. If you’re sneaky, you can also cram some strawberries in your mouth as you go around.
6. Cycle somewhere
If you have a bike, try cycling to somewhere different, and take your friends or family with you. If you don’t all have bicycles then you can rent them. It’s usually very cheap to do so, especially if you live in Europe.
7. Visit a castle
In many places, castles actually charge you for entry. However, if you search the internet, you’ll be able to find ones with either cheap entry or free entry. Castles can be especially good if you have children (or big kids at heart) who love role-playing games. Many larger castles often do shows and events too, so keep an eye out for them.
8. Go to car-boot sale
In England, this is where we all go with our cars and sell things that we don’t want from our boots (trunks). They’re usually held in fields or car parking lots. If you’re on a budget this will hopefully help you increase your budget — while having a fun day bartering with passers-by.
9. Make ice lollies
You can purchase ice lolly moulds for really cheap from places like Amazon.com or your local supermarkets. They tend to last a long time too. All you need on top of these is a liquid to freeze. This can be fruit juice, squash (cordial), or any sort of flavoured drink. Try to get the bendy silicone moulds, as the plastic ones tend to break and the ice never comes out at easily.
10. Host a BBQ
Provided you (or someone you know) has a barbecue, you can host a BBQ party. Obviously, it will be expensive if you provide all the food and drinks, so you should make it compulsory for everyone to bring an item of food. This is great because people will also bring food they want to eat so you won’t have to feel bad when you forget to cater for the vegetarians.
11. Sunbathe
This is the time of the year when the sun is out, so catch some rays. It doesn’t cost a thing and if you already waste money on sunbeds, here’s a chance for you to save some money and get some healthier rays.
12. Orgami
Paper is super cheap to buy, especially if you buy a whole book of printer paper. There’s a massive amount of resources online showing you how to make different animals and origami stuff. If you’ve got younger siblings or children, then you’ll entertain them for hours with this, while teaching them something new at the same time.
13. Start a garden
You’ve still got time to grow flowers and plants in your garden. Seeds don’t tend to cost that much, so go get some and plant them. If you’re really naughty, you could dig up a plant from somewhere and plant it in your garden — however, this is illegal.
14. Go for a picnic
A picnic is a great budget activity for friends and family. It can also work out as a cute date for you and a loved one too. Make your own food to take with you so that you can keep the expenditure low.
15. Go camping
If you (or someone you know) own a tent or camper van, then go camping. Take your family and friends with you. You could always take a loved one and plan a night under the stars.
16. Take a younger sibling to the park
If you’re old enough to be trusted, take a younger family member to the park. Even if it’s just a walk, younger people are full of energy and will entertain themselves while entertaining you at the same time. This will also keep you in your family’s good books too!
17. Go to a summer fete
There are summer fetes and “festivals” popping up all over the place during the summer. Fetes are great places to get hold of local specialties and see more of your local “culture”. You can also often pick up things fairly cheap from summer fetes.
18. Visit a museum
Many museums offer free entry and regularly have new exhibitions on during the summer. Whether it’s local history or general history, they’re great places to keep up with what’s already happened.
19. Visit an art gallery
Similar to museums, art galleries also often offer free entry. They tend to have more new exhibitions hosted than museums, some of which push boundaries that you may never have imagined. This will often help heighten more senses than you thought.
20. Have a film marathon
We’ve all got a DVD collection tucked away somewhere and even if you don’t, the internet is at your disposal if you want to watch every single Harry Potter or Lord of The Rings film over the course of a day!
