Are you looking for ways to keep your family occupied this summer? Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do at no cost. You will find below a list of 12 fun and free summer activities for the family!
Some parents find summer vacation a blessing, others a curse. Today’s technology should block out that “boredom” word all together. In many cases parents find themselves dealing with children who are so used to modern conveniences, they have exhausted these fun things and once again are bored.
Fun and Free Family Summer Activities
Many parents make the mistake of allowing their child to loaf while on summer vacation. They the very common excuse: “they have worked so hard all year, they need to relax”. Allowing children to lay around and play video games, watch television, and sleep all day does not make for very good memories, nor is it good for their health. Children need stimulation. Many activities are inexpensive, easy, and fun.
1. Go exploring
Are there local parks, national forests, beaches, lakes or other things you have never done in your local area? You can generally enjoy these places for free or almost for free.
2. Read a book
You can take your kids to the library to borrow books for free or grab a book from you have at home that you haven’t read in a while and then enjoy them outside. Whether you end up reading at the local park or in a hammock in your backyard, this can be a lot of fun!
3. Go camping
Whether you decide to campout in your backyard or if you go to a state or national park, camping can be a fun and (nearly) free summer activity for the family.
4. Start a garden
Gardening can be a lot of fun, especially for young children. Whether you plant a flower garden or a vegetable garden, this can be a fun summer activity for the whole family.
5. Find free attractions
Zoos and museums typically offer free days during the summer. Check out their websites to find out when you should visit.
6. Go fishing
Fishing can be a fun activity for you to enjoy together as a family.
7. Healthy cold treats
Make your own popsicles, slushies and slurpees with real fruit juice.
8.Watch the sunrise (or sunset)
Grab the family and head out in your backyard, on a dock or a balcony to watch the sunrise or the sunset. Make sure to take some photos!
9. Movie Night
On an evening, why not watch a fun movie with the family. You can even have a special movie night it in your backyard with a portable movie projector in front of a white sheet on your fence.
10. Let them walk
Taking a walk is a great way to get your child out of the house and allow them to have a breath of fresh air. Make a fun day out of it. Walk with them to the park, or to the local ice cream stand. Taking a walk on a summer day is a great way to kill time and allow for exercise. Walking will help you both feel better as well. Children with active parents, who encourage their children to be active will likely grow up to be healthier adults.
11. Play a game together
On those rainy summer days pulling out some board games can be a long lasting fond memory to a child. Remember when you were young, playing board games was likely a great time for you. Make those memories with your child. Pop some popcorn and sit around the table, or on the living room floor. This time will also allow you to catch up on your child’s life and allow him to catch up on yours.
12. Take them Geo Caching
Many folks with ask “what in the world is this”? Geo Caching is a treasure hunt, for adults as well as children, where you look for coordinates on the website, and use either GPS or a compass and find a treasure of some sort. Geo Caching is free for anyone and kills a great deal of time. Treasures can range from: restaurant tickets, teddy bears, toys, jewelry, etc.
These are just some fun and free summer activities for you and your family to enjoy together! No matter what you decide on, you’re bound to create lifetime memories for both you and your children.
These are all great activities to do, we enjoy going out on the hiking trail, it’s so peaceful
Watching the sun rise and set, also gardening are my two favorites.
We love summer and love activities like these!
My favourites are reading, gardening, fishing and camping though I’ve not done the later two in years.
Libraries usually have summer reading programs.
Thank you for sharing this information. The grandkids come over and we try to keep them busy.
Great ideas! I never thought to get the family up and watch the sunrise together but that would be really cool.
My girl loves to garden with me! And Living in the Niagara Region, there’s plenty to do around town that is free and exciting!
I love the Niagara region! So lucky!
Board games are a great idea. My local library lends some board games out — a great way to try some new ones!
These are all great ideas. We love our healthy cold treats.