Are you looking for a summer experience you wont forget?
You dont have to break the bank for a good time.
Our summer bucket list includes virtual options, too.
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114 Free Summer Activities
Summer fun doesnt have to cost you an arm and a suntanned leg.
Here are 114 free summer activities for kids, parents, friends and more.
Use our list to make this summer the best and most affordable one ever.
The National Park Service has some fun ideas about adding to the adventure bymapping your visits.
Everything tastes better outside.
Hiking:Parks, lakes and other natural areas often have marked hiking trails.
They also usually designate the trails skill level and provide options for novice and experienced hikers.
Swimming:There are ways to swim for free in the summer.
TheYMCA Swim for Life programoffers free lessons based on income.
Kite flying:As Mary Poppins put it: Lets go fly a kite!
Camping:before you dive in planning your trip, check out ourguide to camping on a budget.
Look for free campsites in your area and then pack the car with tents and marshmallows!
Seek out nature:Download the freeSeek app from iNaturalistand spend time exploring living things outdoors.
Watch where youre going when using this app it is mesmerizing, like a nature-focused Pokemon Go.
Online seed swaps offer free options if you already have seeds.
Crowdsourced treasure hunt:Geocachingis fun for the whole family and a great chance to spend time outdoors.
Free Activities in Your Own Backyard
13.
Backyard camping:Where better to pitch your tent than in your own backyard?
Plus, its a campsite you dont have to pay for!
Take a bubble break:Usehomemade bubble solutionand household supplies to blow bubbles in your backyard.
It takes some practice, but the results are Instagram hashtag gold.
Create a backyard oasis:Spend the summer vacationing in your own backyard.
Make a time capsule:Look to the future by making a time capsule.
Let kids choose what they want to include, from school photos to a list of favorite toys.
Free learning activities fromFolger.educan help kids and parents get excited about Shakespeare.
What could be better?
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Scavenger hunt:Plan your own scavenger hunt or join a community hunt.
Scavenger hunts encourage curiosity and observation skills.
They can even be planned indoors as a rainy day activity, too.
The Audubon Society has afree appthat serves as a virtual field guide to help identify and learn about birds.
Dont forget the sunscreen.
Arts and Entertainment
Check out these free summer arts and entertainment activities to keep busy.
Virtual performances:Check outLincoln Center at Homefor free dance, film and theater offerings.
Also, check your local theaters website for free streaming of live performances.
Outdoor movies:Many towns and cities have free summer outdoor movies.
Bring a blanket and get there early to claim your spot!
Free movies:Outdoor movies arent the only way to see free flicks this summer.
Did you know you could getfree movies from your local library?
Check with your local parks department.
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Summer concerts:Free outdoor summer concerts are starting up again.
Check out the schedule of events on your community calendar or event space.
Bookstore author nights:Bookstores regularly invite authors to give readings from their newest books.
Does your local bookstore offer virtual events?
you might always grab a blanket and sit under the stars with your smartphone or tablet.
You could learn about anything from aardvarks to zydeco.
Check out your local chamber of commerce website, recreation center website and event listings in the local newspaper.
Some have moved online, meaning you’re free to participate from anywhere.
Virtual tourism:Maybe youre skittish about long-distance travel, or your budget keeps you closer to home.
Either way, you might still explore distant places including space by taking one of thesevirtual field trips.
Why not take a few hours and explore those places yourself?
Next-town-over tourism:Are you a little bored with your hometown?
Take a bike or car ride to the next town over and play tourist.
See what free parks and exciting vistas it has to offer!
Window shopping is a great way to explore a new neighborhood.
Farmers markets:Heres another free activity that requires just a little self-control: visiting a farmers market.
you could spend your time people-watching while enjoying a little local culture and trying out the free samples.
Lots of markets have live entertainment, too.
Public library:How could we get this far without mentioning the library?
you might also tryfree library appslike Hoopla and Overdrive.
Tour the local fire station:Many fire stationsoffer free tours to local residents.
Get a group together for some educational fun, and be sure to call ahead!
Get a group together for some educational fun and be sure to call ahead!
It helps you process emotions, explore ideas or even write short fiction.
Its also absolutely free.
Gratitude journal:Write your morning pages as soon as you get up.
Then, at the end of the day, write down three things in yourgratitude journal.
These can be three things youre grateful for or just three happy memories from the day.
Walk 10,000 steps:If youre looking to improve your general health, start by walking.
Set a goal of 10,000 steps per day, which is about 5 miles.
Couch to 5K:
Ready for something a little more intense?
Try spending your summer going from couch to 5K thats a 5K run, of course.
Take advantage of the warm weather and work out at a local park using the playground equipment to train.
Finish them, and then put them away!
Make it fun by setting up a free account to track and review your summer reads onGoodreads.com.
it’s possible for you to also enter to win free books through theGoodreads Giveawaysprogram.
Learn a new hobby:Always wanted to know how to draw?
Or to impress with your singing voice, even outside the shower?
Use summers more relaxed schedule toplan regular family mealswhere you share conversation and enjoy each others company.
Tell your day:How can you make these family dinners memorable?
If you need additional inspiration, ask everyone to share one good thing and one challenge from their day.
Chronicle family history:Do you have a record of your familys history?
How far back can you track grandparents, great-grandparents and extended relatives?
Write down family stories and interview relatives to learn more about your family and its many generations.
Design a stylish and free family tree onCanva.
Family book club:Choose a family-friendly book for everyone to read and discuss together.
Family movie night:Organize family movie nights.
Let everyone take a turn each week picking a free movie from the library or on your streaming service.
Family game night:Was it Mr. Green in the library with the revolver?
Who can build the Longest Road?
Family game nights are great ways to spend time together without spending money.
Popular games include fun with railroads (Ticket to Ride), the craving-inducing Sushi Go Party!
Pillow fights are mandatory, so come prepared.
Dont forget to send the recording to Grandma shes going to love it.
Craft time:Turn cardboard, milk cartons and other recyclable goods into fun family craft projects.
If you need inspiration, heres a list of1,000 recycled craft ideas, from placemats to spaceships.
Parent date night:Leave the kids with grandparents or arrange a free babysitting swap.
One-on-one kid dates:Take each of your kids out for a special one-on-one date.
Do free, fun summer activities like hanging out at the playground or visiting a museum.
Rock and bowl:Bowling can be expensive, but many bowling alleys offerfree bowling nightsfor kids.
Parents can keep score and rock out to the music while cheering on the budding pro bowlers.
Check with your local bowling alley!
Visit a factory:Take a factory tourto learn how stuff is made.
If your kids are already big readers, you may need ideas on how to getfree books for kids.
Virtual zoo:Zoos in your area may offer special pricing or even free admission on certain days.
But you’re able to also take free virtual tours of zoos near and far.
The Stock Market Game:Got a would-be stock market whiz on your hands?
Keep kids busy without risking real money onThe Stock Market Game.
If your little artist needs some inspiration, try one of these sidewalk chalkmural ideas.
Pizza Hut Camp BOOK IT!
:A lot of us remember participating in BOOK IT!
Just dont send them out thirsty, or theyll drink up all the profits.
Is Your Paycheck Not Going As Far As It Used To?
We get it.Everythingis more expensive than it used to be, but your paycheck hasnt kept up.
When money is tight,these resourceswill help nearly everyone.
Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge:Let your kids join a community of readers with theScholastic Summer Reading Program.
Theyll attend weekly author events, play book-based games and win virtual prizes.
Make a blanket fort:One thing is for certain a classicblanket fortnever goes out of style.
Usevarious recipesto create a rainbow of doughs and slimes thatll last days (or weeks) when stored correctly.
Babysitting swap:Exchange free babysitting with a friend.
Youll watch their kids one night, and theyll watch yours another night.
Or extend the fun by starting asummer camp co-op.
Jam session:Invite your musically inclined friends online or in your backyard for an evening jam session.
Hang out:You dont always have to plan an event for your friends.
Just invite them to come over and hang out!
Its easy and free.
Break a record:Do you have competitive friends?
Work together tobreak a world record.
Youll need to read through existing records and find your niche, then apply and wait for acceptance.
Once accepted, youre on your way to record-breaking summer fun.
Project Gutenberg:Get free access to nearly every public domain book throughProject Gutenberg.
Or use one of thesefree appsto download free audiobooks, movies, TV shows and more from your library.
A few games are pay to play, but the majority are free.
Learn a new language:Summer is a great time to begin learning a new language.
Weve gotfree language-learning appsto help you get started.
Make movies:Have you always wanted to make a short film or start a vlog?
You probably have all the tools you need already on your laptop.
Record your songs and sell them throughBandcamp, or check out our other ideas formaking money with music.
Set up afree blogand start writing.
Laugh (or gasp) at YouTubes best web series:YouTube has plenty of great original web series.
Kid-friendly options include Millie and Lou and Tab Time.
Adult series range from family-friendly Heartland to more suspenseful fare such as nostalgic true crime series Unsolved Mysteries.
But why not brush up on your personal finance knowledge by tuning in to one of thesepersonal finance podcasts?
Resell clothes:You canswap your old clothes for cash in personor you cansell them online.
In fact, we foundseven ways to get paid for playing video games.
- tune up your resume:Whens the last time you updated your resume?
If youre not sure where to start, check out thisstep-by-step guide for writing a resume.
- upgrade your LinkedIn profile:While youre updating your resume, you might as wellupdate your LinkedIn profile.
Whens the last time you added new skills or asked for a recommendation?
Make a five-year plan:Where do you want to be in five years?
If tackling all your debt at once seems overwhelming, start small with thedebt snowball method.
Start planning for fall expenses:The last free thing you want to do this summer?
Start planning for fall.
Can You Survive 10 Days of Budgeting?
If you oughta wrangle your budget, it may be time to consider a savings challenge.
Kaz Weida is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
Tiffany Wendeln Connors and Veronica Matthews contributed to this story.
