Summer is here and the kids are out of school and bored already. What's a parent to do? And with how expensive everything is lately, it can really put us in a pickle.
Thankfully, there are plenty of budget-friendly summer activities available. You can have the best summer ever without breaking. It's all about being together and having a good time. The ten kid-friendly activities on this list will help you do just that.
Summer Reading Programs
Many libraries, schools, and community centers have summer reading programs that are age-appropriate and come with prizes.
These programs are a great way to motivate your child to read and learn something when school is out. It's typically completely free to participate.
Local Library Programming
Libraries are more than just the place where the books live. The sacred institutions also have tons of programing. Most have story time, arts and crafts classes, and even events for tweens and teens. These classes are free or low cost. Don't sleep on your local library's activities, especially in the summer.
More from LittleThings: 10 Ideas To Help Kids Breeze Through Their Summer Reading Lists
Home Depot In-Store Kids Workshops
On the first Saturday of every month, Home Depot hosts a workshop just for kids. Kids get to things like building birdhouses, painting rocks, and planning backyard camping adventures.
Home Depot provides all the tools and supplies plus cute aprons and a certificate of completion. These workshops are free and last three hours. You just have to sign up ahead of time.
Beach Trips
Summer is the perfect time to go to the beach or lake. You can build a sandcastle, cool off in the water, and get some vitamin D. Just don't forget the sunscreen. The best part of the beach is how affordable it is. Your main cost will be paying to park and snacks.
Hikes
You can't sit on the couch all summer, as tempting as it is. You've got to get out and explore. Going on a hike is a great way to get exercise and experience nature.
When you're going on a hike, make sure to go early or later in the day when it's not too hot. Don't forget to drink lots of water and use sunscreen as well. Hiking doesn't cost much, since you'll probably only have to pay for parking and trail snacks.
Splash Pads
Summer is hot, but there are lots of creative ways to cool down. One of the best ways to beat the heat is to go to a splash pad at your local park. These fun water features are designed to be interactive. Kids can enjoy getting wet and playing with their siblings, cousins, or new friends they just met.
Fire Station Visit
Did you know you can visit your local fire station? Many have posted visiting or tour hours. If yours doesn't, just give them a call and set something up. Firefighters are happy to have families come and see what they are all about. You could even bake them cookies to thank them for their service.
Kids will love getting to see the trucks up close and learning about how these brave souls keep us safe.
Discounted Summer Movies
Summertime means summer blockbuster films. Many movie theaters offer low ticket prices during the summer months. You can catch the latest Disney offering and stay cool for a couple of hours. It's a great way to entertain the family on a budget.
Picnics
The warm weather makes eating outdoors so fun. Pack a picnic and have lunch or dinner at a local park. You could even do this in your own front or backyard. Food just tastes better when eaten on a blanket during the summer months! If an ice cream truck happens to drive by, it's the perfect dessert.
Blanket Forts
Bust out all the old pillows, sheets, and blankets — you will need them to build the best fort ever. Once your blanket fort is ready, climb in and read some library books or have a family movie night inside. The sky is the limit for your new super cool dwelling. This activity is completely free. You just have to clean up … eventually.
