How to Have Frugal Summer Fun

Many of us cannot afford to take time off work or go on the trip of our dreams, but there are still plenty of frugal and fun summer escapes to consider. Check out a few ideas here:

Spend Time (Not Money) in Nature

One great idea for a spending-free excursion is to spend time in nature. You don’t need to travel to distant locations, sink money into your gas tank or stay in expensive hotels to enjoy nature. There are often fun adventures to enjoy close to home, especially if you like getting creative.

• Explore your area for daytrips – nearby waterfalls, reservoirs, nature trails, etc. Most of these places are free, they’re fun for kids and adults, and you can even bring your dog.
• Go on a treasure hunt. Challenge friends and family to find a skipping stone, a heart-shaped leaf, a bottle cap, an acorn, etc. Make it a race. Keep score. Provide prizes.
• Take a walk around the neighborhood, in the park, up a hill or find a local hiking trail to explore. Bring your camera and take lots of photos.
• Don’t forget your own backyard – gardening is a great way to spend time in the sun, improve your home and get great exercise.
• Lots of classic outdoor recreations will still provide free entertainment:
  • Play catch in the park, or bring a Frisbee, or fly a kite.
  • Plan a picnic; grab a large blanket and make sandwiches.
  • Dust off your bike and go for a ride or discover your local YMCA and take a swim.

Frugal Social Fun

Social activities don’t have to be pricey either. Chances are your friends would welcome inexpensive entertainment ideas as well.

• Instead of eating out, host a potluck dinner or barbeque with friends and neighbors.
• Host a game night: Provide the chips as well as the board games or cards and tell your guests BYOB.
• Plan a theme-oriented movie marathon where everyone brings their favorite horror flick, cheesy 80’s comedy or compelling documentary.

Solo Summer Fun

You may be inclined to treat yourself to some much-deserved alone time this summer. But skip the expensive spa and try these relaxing (and frugal) ideas.

• Swap films with friends or check out free movies from the library. This is much less expensive than renting movies or going to the cinema.  
• Libraries are also a free alternative to bookstores when you’re ready to catch up on summer reading.
• Take a luxurious bath! Instead of expensive bath salts or other products, squirt a little of your shampoo or body wash to create a fragrant and bubbly bath without purchasing fancy bath products. Light some candles to enhance the relaxing atmosphere and your mood.

Get in Shape this Summer – For Free

When you’re not exploring nature or your neighborhood recreational resources, you might rediscover some motivation for getting into shape. Buying home gym equipment or committing to an expensive monthly gym membership are not the only options. You can exercise for cheap:

• Find local or cable programming with exercise routines or borrow workout videos from the library – you get free workout instruction in your living room.
• See if local community centers offer free nutritional planning and exercise programs.
• Check area schools with pools to see if they open their facilities to the public. If they do, it will likely cost much less than a gym or pool membership – if it costs anything at all.
• Local campuses may also have tracks available for public running, jogging and walking. Neighborhood sidewalks are good for these activities and malls offer dry paths for walking on rainy days.
• Get your hand weights out of the closet and keep them next to your couch or desk and lift weights while watching TV, surfing the web or reading the newspaper.
• Do push-ups on the floor or against the wall while waiting for the shower water to get to the right temperature.
• Wear sneakers and workout clothes when you clean the house – jog between rooms, keep your abs tight and watch your form while scrubbing, wiping, vacuuming or dusting.
• Dance to music videos or turn off the TV and dance to your favorite music.

Check Out Local Events

These days, filling up the tank for a weekend away can cost more than the vacation itself. This summer, look for activities that are closer to home.

• While you’re checking out your local library, see if it has a schedule of activities, classes or events. Many libraries have storytelling sessions for children but some also offer free summer courses for adults.
• Contact neighborhood associations or look in the local newspaper for festivals, events, tours, concerts, state and local fairs and walks which often benefit charities and provide great exercise. Bulletin boards on college campuses, at visitor’s centers, city hall and even grocery stores also list free events.
• Look into nearby farms for berry and fruit picking.
• Research parks for free outdoor movie screenings, poetry readings and concerts.
• Check out museums, zoos, aquariums and look into membership benefits. Regular admission can add up for a large family but many places offer deals for certain dates and times. If you play your cards right, you might even be able to visit some places for free.

Free and cheap events are great, but expect potential hidden costs. Call and ask about parking options ahead of time, question “free admission” to see what it does not include and remember that food, drinks and souvenirs can really add up.  Some events aimed at tourists are overpriced, so don’t let yourself be a victim of price-gouging. You can still get ideas for overlooked and awesome local fun without putting a huge dent in your wallet.