If your entertainment spending is causing you togo over budget, its time to make some changes.

Inflation is eating through our budgets faster than a rabbit with a carrot.

So, weve just got to find other ways to enjoy ourselves that wont put us in the red.

A little boy checks out his reflection on the diving board at a local pool.

Tina Russell/The Penny Hoarder

Thats right,free.

Incorporate some of these suggestions in your life, and have fun without feeling guilty about your finances.

Free Things to Do Outdoors

1.

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Visit a park.Get some fresh air and take a walk through a nearby park.

Bring your four-legged friend along too.

Browse local artisans goods, taste samples and listen to live music.

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Take a hike.Enjoy the health benefits of hiking while immersed in nature.

Go biking.Grab your set of wheels and take off on a trail.

Go camping.Swapping a hotel room for a campground is one way to slash vacation costs.

If you cant find a free campsite in your area, turn your backyard into one.

Borrow a tent from a friend if you dont already have one.

Spend time around the fire pit.Enjoy this traditional camping activity, even if you dont plan to sleep outdoors.

Roast marshmallows for smores or crack open a beer as you sit around the flames.

Fly a kite.you might make your own kite with simple materials like paper, plastic straws and string.

Find a tutorial online to walk you through the steps.

Once the weather is breezy, take your DIY kite outside and let it soar.

9.Get a workout with outdoor fitness equipment.Invite your favorite workout buddy along for camaraderie.

Withfree days available, you’ve got the option to plan ahead and schedule your visit absolutely free.

Many cities offer free activities in the parks during the summer.

Chris Zuppa/The Penny Hoarder

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Free Things to Do Around Town

12.

Tour historic sites.If your city has a historical society, reach out for tips on places to go.

Go to the library.They have so much more to offer than books.

Or stick with the traditional and curl up with a juicy novel.

Use that library card forfree streaming servicesfor movies, music and more.

Otherwise, check admissions details for opportunities for free entry.

Some museums offer free admission to local residents once a month.

See if your local library will let you reserve free passes.

Another way to score free admission is during the annual Free Museum Day held nationwide in September.

Check out a shop youve never been inside or browse the latest offerings at your favorite store.

16.Shop for free.Thats right, withBuy Nothing group events, you might shop without spending a dime.

In some cases, you arent even required to bring anything to swap.

Have a photoshoot.Choose a picturesque spot around town and snap away.

If you think youll be tempted to spend from vendors, leave your money at home.

See a movie in the park.Enjoy a classic film under the stars.

Check your citys parks and recreation department to see if they offer this.

You may not hear major headliners, but you wont have to pay concert venue prices.

Explore a new neighborhood.Venture out into a part of town youve never explored before.

You may discover a new favorite part of your city.

Enjoy free samples and other giveaways.

Join a local meetup.Meetup.comis a great way to connect with community members.

Browse by category to find groups with a shared interest.

Some events cost money, but you’re able to also find some that are free.

Free Things to Do on a Date

27.

Have a penny date.The premise of apenny dateis to use coin flips to dictate where youll spend your date.

Select a starting point and then flip a penny.

If it lands heads up, you turn right at the corner.

Tails up, you turn left.

You keep it up for a predetermined number of flips and hope you dont end up someplace weird.

Its really more about the journey than the destination.

Or use this opportunity to get in the kitchen and cook together.

Enjoy striking scenery and conversation without having to take out your wallet once.

Gaze up at the stars.Find a nice, private spot on a clear night and spend the evening stargazing.

venture to spot constellations and be on the lookout for shooting stars.

To bring the fun indoors, see if a nearby college offers free planetarium shows.

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Laugh til it hurts at a comedy show.Some comedy clubs host free shows during the week.

You probably wont hear from any well-known comedians, but you might check out local up-and-coming talent.

Play a game of pool.Find a lounge or dive bar that has pool tables and rack em up.

If billiards arent your thing, try darts, cornhole or some other game.

Try out a new style of dance.Care to learn swing dancing, line dancing or salsa?

Local dance organizations or clubs may offer free lessons to the public.

Just double-check the venue doesnt have a cover charge.

The topics the performers cover may be a springboard for further discussion with your date.

See a free movie screening.Is there a movie coming out that youd love to see with your significant other?

Snag free tickets with one of thesethree ways to attend advance movie screenings.

Chris Zuppa/The Penny Hoarder

Free Things to Do on Your Own

39.

Practice yoga.No need to pay a class fee.

Get artsy.Spend time tapping into your inner artist.

With supplies as simple as pencil and paper, you’re able to let the creativity flow.

Catch up with loved ones.Video chat with your old college roommate or give your grandma a call.

You dont have to live close to connect and enjoy time together.

Browse a bookstore.Attend an author talk or just pass time browsing the stacks.

Then you have the makings of aspa treatment you might enjoy at home.

Enjoy a free beauty session.Get primped up without hiring a makeup artist.

And withCommunity Days events, you could find local inperson options.

Free Things to Do With Your Bestie

51.

Dont forget to pack snacks for the car.

Attend an open house.It doesnt matter if youre not in the market to buy.

Open houses can be a great chance to get home decor tips and possibly some fresh-baked cookies.

Try on crazy outfits at the mall.Have fun choosing articles of clothing your friend would never wear willingly.

Then be a good sport when your friend picks a ridiculous outfit for you.

Be sure to get photo evidence of it all.

Go tailgating.You dont need tickets to your favorite sporting event to enjoy the atmosphere.

Go people watching.Sometimes the seemingly mundane can be really interesting.

Bonus points to whoever can create the funniest backstory for the characters you see.

Watch a movie from their DVD collection.

Make dinner with whatevers in the pantry.

Enjoy exploring their hometown.

Free Things to Do with a Group

58.

Organize apotluck.Skip the restaurant.

Gather a group of friends together and make the food yourselves.

Host a video game competition.Keep score, of course.

Host a movie marathon.Have each friend choose a favorite film and come together for an ultimate movie night.

Alternatively, you could binge a TV series that you all enjoy on Netflix.

Form a book club.Connect with fellow bookworms and take turns hosting monthly meetings.

Have a jam session.Get your musically inclined friends together to form an impromptu band.

Brainstorming band names is half the fun.

Free Things to Do with Kids

66.

Go to the playground.This go-to activity for families is one young kids never seem to get bored of.

Switch things up a bit by trying out playgrounds in a different part of town.

Go to an indoor playplace.Dont let bad weather dampen the fun.

Visit the indoor play area at your local mall or IKEA.

Dont stress about supplies either.

Random household items like toilet paper rolls and sponges can be repurposed to make something creative.

Have a movie night.Movie tickets and snacks for the entire family can drain the budget.

Pop some popcorn at home instead and pick out a fun movie to watch.

Borrow DVDs from your library so youre not seeing the same film for the 15th time.

Have a game night.Break out the board games and a deck of cards.

Invite friends over to add some fresh games to the tournament.

Dont have board games?

you’ve got the option to check them out from your library orbe creative and build your own.

Search for instrumental versions of your favorite songs on YouTube and pull up the lyrics.

Or go with the regular version of the song and do your best lip sync impersonations of the singer.

Cheer on little league players.It doesnt matter whether its t-ball, soccer, flag football or basketball.

Attend a game put on by your community youth sports league and skip the pro league prices.

Participate in a free in-store event.Various retail chains host special events for children.

They get you in the store in hopes you buy something, but theres no obligation to spend money.

Barnes and Noble hosts childrens storytime sessions.

Michaels, The Home Depot and Lowes invite kids to make craft projects.

Bass Pro Shops hold special fishing events for kids.

Cool off at a splash pad.Forget the water park.

Take the kids to a splash pad on a hot day instead.

Or create your own version with sprinklers in the backyard.

Make a scrapbook.Gather the construction paper, stickers, photos and old ticket stubs.

Pass the time in a fun way while reflecting on memories of the past.

Invite friends and neighbors to participate.

Have a field day in your backyard.Field day doesnt just have to happen at school.

You may have to pay for skate rentals if your kids dont have their own.

Try a science experiment at home.Disguise these learning opportunities as fun.

Mix baking soda and vinegar for a fizzy eruption.

Build aluminum foil boats and see how many pennies they can hold before sinking.

Google is your best friend in finding other neat science projects to try.

In the Summer

83.

Various YMCA locations even offer free swim lessons for youth.

Seek out a nearby lake or beach where you’re free to make a splash.

Take a beach trip.A classic in the free things to do tradition, even if youre not into swimming.

Build a sand castle.

Listen to music on Pandora while taking in the beautiful scenery.

check that to pack a cooler with drinks and snacks, and dont forget the SPF!

Plan a BBQ.Summer is the season of grilling.

Give your kitchen a break and move your cooking outdoors.

(Here are some expert tips ongrilling on a budget.)

Take in a fireworks show.The Fourth of July and fireworks go hand-in-hand.

The great thing about most pyrotechnic displays is that they can be seen from a distance.

You dont have to buy a ticket to the July 4th festival.

Chances are it’s possible for you to find a spot on the outskirts to watch.

You may have to pay for a shoe rental, but youll still be saving money.

Adobe Stock

In the Fall

88.

Collect the falling leaves.No, Im not talking about raking the yard.

The beauty of autumn is when the leaves turn red, orange and gold.

Carve a pumpkin.Nothing says fall like a gourd with a toothy grin.

Gather friends together and see who can make the spookiest pumpkin carving.

Roast the pumpkin seeds for a low-cost treat.

Go trick-or-treating.Trick-or-treating isnt just free fun for the kids (and the kids-at-heart).

It also means free candy, so win-win.

Watch the Thanksgiving parade.You dont have to battle the crowds in New York City to see Macys famed spectacular.

In the Winter

  1. when you’ve got a sled, the fun times are endless.

Decorate the house.Place the menorah in your window or the kinara in its designated place.

Get the ornaments down from the attic, put on some holiday music and make a day of decorating.

you’re able to even choose a yule tree to decorate outside.

Make holiday crafts with the kids.Winter is one of the craftiest seasons.

Its also super expensive!

So capitalize on free things to do to celebrate the Yule, from DIY cardboard dreidels to paper-plate snowflakes.

The internet is full of ideas thatll keep your brood entertained on snow days or during holiday break.

Plus, it gets you out of the house during long cold snaps.

Get your baking on.Forget about counting calories.

Its time to break out the cookie sheets.

Or eat them all yourself.

Experience a festival.Ice festivals abound in cold weather climes, but winter festivals arent just for places with snow.

Got friends who can carry a tune?

Get together to sing Christmas carols even if your idea of caroling doesnt include leaving the house.

Drinking eggnog by the piano sounds cozier than facing below-freezing temps.

Vote on your favorites.

The floats in the parade are made of 100% plant material.

Enjoy the snow.Build a snowman.

Have a snowball fight.

Make a snow angel.

Just double-check to bundle up and have some hot cocoa waiting for you when you come inside.

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In the Spring

101.

Plant a garden.you’re free to save seeds from the fruit you eat orregrow vegetablesfrom scraps.

You may even be able to score free seeds from your library or a local agricultural organization.

See the cherry trees blossom.Or the dogwood trees.

Or the crape myrtles.

Spring is when everythings in bloom, so spend some time taking in the beauty.

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Nicole Dow is a former senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.

Freelance writer Veronica Matthews contributed to this story.