Where to Find Cheap Summer Activities Near You

School’s Out For Summer

Do these words fill you with dread? Does the thought of trying to find a summer’s worth of activities for the whole family seem to be a daunting task? Don’t fret, I’ve got you covered. I’ve put together a list of the best resources and ideas for finding cheap summer activities near you.

The budget may be tight and you might not have a long vacation planned, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t tons of things to do that will satisfy everyone in the family.

You might be surprised at the number of cheap or even free activities that are available in your area. Spend a little time researching the resources I have suggested and get ready for a great summer!

With these resources, you will be able to create a summer camp customized to suit the interests of your family. All while saving money on family entertainment.

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State or National Parks

There are over 10,000 State Parks in this country. There are 59 National Parks. You’ll find more than just cheap summer activities here. There are programs and activities scheduled throughout the year.

State and National Parks are there for you offering a wide range of cheap summer activities that will delight the whole family. Take advantage of this valuable resource. It is perfect for the frugal family on a tight budget.

State Parks offer a wide range of outdoor activities; swimming, fishing, canoeing, or kayaking.

You’ll find picnic areas and playgrounds, swimming pools or lakes, and an ocean or two.

Go to America’s State Parks or National Parks.org to find detailed information about the parks in your area. State and National Parks are an incredible resource to explore for family-friendly activities all year long.

Costs vary but are typically low or free for day use. There may be an entrance/parking fee, but consider an annual pass, if it’s available, for an even better value. That would make a great family Christmas present.

Your local library may offer State Park passes to check out at no cost.

Check out State Park Entrance Passes which include park pass information for all 50 states.

Outdoor Fun

Go to a local park. Pack a picnic, grab a frisbee, and head to your nearest green space for a day of free fun for the whole family.

Lace up your hiking boots and embark on a nature walk through local trails or parks. It’s a great way to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors without spending a penny.

Go camping in the backyard.

Sidewalk chalk for hopscotch or creating artwork.

Create your own Nature Scavenger Hunt. Customize for the children’s ages, create and organize a scavenger hunt in your neighborhood or local park. It’s a thrilling and budget-friendly activity that guarantees smiles all around.

From classic favorites like tag and hide-and-seek to creative DIY obstacle courses, outdoor games are a fantastic way to keep everyone entertained without spending a dime.

Beat the heat with a water balloon fight or set up a makeshift water park in your backyard using plastic sheeting and sprinklers. It’s an inexpensive way to cool off on a hot summer day.

Go for a bike ride around your neighborhood or local park. It’s a great way to stay active and see your community in a new way. And it doesn’t cost a fortune.

Set up a cozy outdoor movie night in your backyard or local park. All you need is a projector, a white sheet, and some popcorn for an unforgettable cinematic experience under the stars.

Rainy Day Activities

Bring out the board games and card games when you’re stuck inside.

Build a pillow fort in the living room.

Play dress-up and put on a play or a fashion show.

Craving something sweet? Whip up a batch of homemade ice cream using simple ingredients from your kitchen. It’s a delicious and budget-friendly treat the whole family will love. Pull out the ice cream maker, if you have one, or make ice cream as a stem activity. It’s easy and requires household ingredients you probably have on hand.

Have a movie marathon.

Read books.

Get creative with DIY summer crafts using supplies from the dollar store. From tie-dye t-shirts to homemade wind chimes, the possibilities are endless.

Make memory jars or scrapbooks.

Bowling Alleys and Skating Rinks

Across the country these popular activities are being offered free for kids. Shoe or skate rentals are not included, so check those rates before making plans. Check local thrift stores for used shoes and skates if your kids are interested in doing these activities!

Kids Bowl Free and Kids Skate Free are being offered nationwide. Check participation in your area and take advantage of these fun summer activities.

Nature Centers

There are marvels to be found everywhere you go in this country. Nature centers showcase what is special about your particular piece of real estate.

Take advantage of any programming scheduled that is specific to the site, i.e., Flora/Fauna, Historical or Cultural programs.

Treat your family to the educational programming that your local nature center provides.

Take the family for a picnic, hike, or bike their trails.

Search for a list of Nature Centers in your state to find something close to home. See what your family might be interested in and add it to your summer camp calendar.

Your Public Library

You are missing a valuable resource if you aren’t taking advantage of your local library. You must have a library card.

Seriously, if you don’t have one, go get one. NOW!

I’ll wait.

Dive into a literary adventure with your local library’s summer reading program. Not only is it a fantastic way to encourage reading, but it often comes with fun incentives and activities for participants.

In my small town (and I mean small town) library, there is a regular schedule of Storytime, Family Movies, Adult Coloring, Crochet and Painting classes, and Free play with Legos.

Think of what happens in the bigger facilities. If you live in a larger city and don’t take advantage of what your library offers, you and your family are missing out on a treasure trove of free activities for all ages.

Educational Resources

If you have access to Niche Academy you will find free tutorials covering a range of topics.

Learn another language or trace your family’s ancestry. This feature is great for older kids and adults all throughout the year.

Language lessons through Mango (mangolanguages.com/libraries) has online resources for all ages and includes more than 70 languages.

Expand your garden by taking advantage of seed-lending programs offered at many libraries. “Check out” a pack of seeds and after planting and harvesting save seeds to return to the library for future lending.

More than books

In addition to books, there is a large selection of audiobooks and DVDs…as in free movies. Using your library card and the free app Libby you can access the ebooks and audiobooks offered by your local library system. Check out the latest thriller or a cookbook you’ve been curious about. This free app is available in the Apple Store and on Google Play.

LaunchPads are guided learning tablets available at libraries now. Designed for kids of all ages, the tablets are pre-loaded with high-quality, ad-free apps that are both fun and educational.

Music and Entertainment options are available through services like Hoopla (hoopladigital.com) and Kanopy (kanopy.com).

Keep up with all the news you want with Press-Reader (pressreader.com). More than 7000 newspapers, magazines, and educational publications are available for library cardholders.

Computer access or a Wi-Fi hotspot is available at many libraries.

The library is the best place to find free or cheap summer activities.

State Park Passes

Oh yeah, check to see if your library offers free passes to your State Parks. Some of them do. You can check out the passes just like you would check out a book. I can check out a State Park pass from my library for a week at a time.

Access to Museums and Cultural Attractions

A program like RAD Pass in Pittsburgh, PA link library cardholders to cultural attractions in the area. Your local library may offer something similar giving you access to museums, art galleries, zoos, aquariums and other attractions specific to your area.

Parks and Recreation

Your local Parks and Recreations Department is a great place to explore.

Check out the free entertainment offered by your city or county. Keep an eye out for free concerts in your area – many communities host outdoor music events during the summer months, providing the perfect opportunity to enjoy the talents of local musicians.

Are there swimming pools available?

Are organized sports offered?

Do they host cultural events, like concerts or art shows?

Can you find Arts and crafts classes for kids and adults?

Check for full- or half-day summer camp programs.

Your super-small town may not offer much, so go to the next larger city in your area and find out what they have on the calendar.

Farmer’s Markets

Explore the vibrant atmosphere of your local farmers market and discover fresh produce, homemade goods, and community spirit. It’s a budget-friendly way to support local vendors and enjoy some delicious treats.

Volunteer

If your kids are old enough, consider adding some time volunteering this summer. Start with VolunteerMatch.org to find local organizations that would benefit from what you can offer.

Helping with food preparation with an organization like Meals on Wheels, collecting for a food bank, or visiting a Senior Center are things older kids can take part in.

What a win-win situation! Getting your kids involved in their community, learning about giving back or paying it forward that will have such a positive impact for everyone.

Even if it’s just offering to help with lawn chores for an older neighbor, the benefits from volunteering are extraordinary.

YMCA

If fitness is a priority in your family, the YMCA is a wonderful choice for a gym membership. The facilities are family-friendly so the whole family can take advantage of the awesome facilities that some Y’s offer. Pools, equipment, classes, childcare and on and on.

Don’t want a membership? Consider the Y as a place to volunteer. If your kids are older there are opportunities for counselors, administrative assistants, and event coordinators. The Y is another great place for a young person to develop skills that will be valuable forever.

U-Pick Farms or Agritourism

If you have one of these treasures in your area make it a point to plan a trip. Picking fruits or vegetables is fun for kids. (Of course, you’ll probably be the one who has to process it once you get it home).

City dwellers lose touch with the reality of where their food comes from. Bring the kids out to see what’s involved. Those clam-shell packages of strawberries at Kroger didn’t fill themselves!

There are U-Pick farms all over the country. You can pick berries, peaches, apples, whatever is growing in your area.

With the growing Agritourism trend, you might find more diverse activities available. Anybody interested in…

• Horseback riding
• Wildlife viewing/photography
• Corn Mazes
• Petting Farms
• Fishing
• Hayrides

You can easily put together a summer’s worth of activities to keep everybody busy and happy until school starts again.

There is no shortage of free or cheap summer activities in your own backyard.

Oh, I forgot S’mores. And popsicles, make popsicles this summer.