12 Free Summer Activities for Your Family

summer fun One of the best times of the year for many families is the summer. And no it’s not over yet in many areas of the country!  Kids are out of school and families are able to do things together. However, the economy hasn’t allowed a lot of families to take grandiose vacations in recent years. That’s why it’s more important than ever to find free summer activities that your family can enjoy without breaking the bank. Here are 12 of our favorite activities you can enjoy with your family this summer:

Going on a picnic: Simply pack a picnic basket basket and head over to your favorite local park to enjoy the day with your family. Try a menu of sandwiches, fruit and potato chips to make things easy.

Have a  camp out   You don’t even have to go anywhere to have a great camp out. Set up some tents in your own backyard, grab the ingredients for some s’mores and enjoy an evening out under the stars.

Find the sunset: Think of a great place in your local area where you and your family can enjoy watching the sunset one evening. Make sure to bring your camera!

Sprinkler time: Many of us remember running through sprinklers as children. It was a ton of fun and didn’t cost a thing. Get some inexpensive sprinklers if you don’t have them and make a day of it in your yard.

Make ice cream: Homemade ice cream is some of the best stuff on the planet! Instead of spending lots of money at your local ice cream eatery, you can make it at home and build a lot of memories in the process.

Set up your own field day: Many of us remember field day at school where we played all kinds of sports and competitions to win prizes. Instead, set up your own field day right there in your backyard; invest in some slowpitch softball bats for a big game of softball, or similar activities.

Visit state parks: There are so many beautiful state parks all over the United States. You are likely to have one within close range of your home, so take a day to visit and enjoy. Many times, you only have to pay a small parking fee, if anything at all.

Have a craft day: Most kids love crafts, and many would highly enjoy spending the day as a family making all kinds of things. You can get craft supplies at the dollar store or just use things from around your house like paper bags and plates.

Local freebies: Many times, local museums and other attractions will have free days during the summer. Check around to see what you can find and get some culture in the process.

Fishing: Even if you don’t love fishing yourself, there is a great chance that your kids do. Taking a little fishing trip to a local watering hole, and it will provide a lifetime of memories.

Scavenger Hunt: Set up a scavenger hunt around your house or yard.

Family game night: With so many people running through life on hectic schedules, kids will really enjoy having a family game night where everyone gets together and laughs for hours on end.

Spending time together as a family during the summer doesn’t have to be expensive or cost any money at all. By simply taking the time to come up with unique, free ideas for entertainment, you can build a lifetime of memories with your family while never opening your wallet. After all, these kinds of activities are what you and your family will remember for many years to come.