Summer fun doesn’t have to drain your wallet. You can enjoy time with your family while keeping your wallet happy. In fact, there are all sorts of ways for families to save money this summer. Check out these ideas to have a fun time while still keeping your budget in check.
Summer Reading
Oh how we love the library! It’s one of our favorite summer spots to spend time without spending money. From programming for kids to free video rentals, from audiobooks on your phone to the real thing lining the shelves, you can’t go wrong with the local library. For years, our girls have participated in the local library’s summer reading programs. You need to head to your library’s website STAT to see if yours has a program, too.
But the library isn’t the only place offering summer reading perks this summer. Barnes and Noble and Half Price Books offer programs where kids can earn free books just for reading! Books-A-Million is offering a free Maze Runner water bottle for kids who read 4 of 75 books on a designated list. Chuck E. Cheese offers 10 free tokens if you read for two weeks straight.
Summer Movies
Want to get out of the summer heat? Why not take the kids to the movies? Skip the high prices for big blockbusters, though. More than one theater offers great deals on full length features.
- Cinemark Movie Clubhouse: $5 for 10 movies or $1 per movie for select dates and films.
- AMC Summer Movie Camp: $4 for a ticket, popcorn, fountain drink, and fruit snacks at participating locations.
- Canary Creek Cinemas (Franklin, IN): Free movies every Wednesday.
- Regal Theater Summer Movie Express: $1 Movies
- Goodrich Quality Theaters: Free movies for rewards members, $1 movies for all others
Don’t forget to check your local library for summer screenings, too!
Gardening
It’s not too late to watch something grow. Tending a garden is great fun for kids of all ages. Don’t want to build a raised box or till the ground? Simply plant herbs or single veggie plants in containers instead.
Create a Park Bucket List
Local parks help your kids burn off that summer energy. Why stick to the same park you always visit though? This summer build a list of different parks your kids would like to enjoy and then check down that list as the days of June and July truck along.
Chalk One Up
We love sidewalk chalk! It’s a great way to channel your inner artist while enjoying warm summer breezes. Whether you choose to illustrate your driveway or take your show on the road and write words of encouragement on sidewalks for those who might walk or run there, getting your chalk on doesn’t cost much at all!
Build a Sprinkler
Sure you might not have the extra cash to head to a fancy water park or even a pool pass this summer. But for less than $10, you can build sprinkler heaven! A couple of summers ago, my husband constructed the base of the sprinkler pictured above for around $10. He used PVC Pipe (buy the longer pieces and cut them yourself to increase savings) and joints. The most important piece is the brass threaded attachment and corresponding plastic piece for your hose. He drilled holes in the pipe to create the flow of water. Each year, we’ve added a bit to our sprinkler system to amp up its awesome. Here’s a great tutorial to follow (although ours is not cemented together for easier storage in the winter months).
Make Your Own Ice Cream
There’s nothing like a cold sweet treat on a hot day. While you might not be able to spring for the local fro-yo favorite, you can still have a great time by making your own ice cream. If you don’t have a traditional ice cream maker, you can make your own in a bag. Fill a gallon Ziploc bag halfway with ice. To the ice, add 1/2 cup of salt (the coarser, the better). In a separate pint-sized Ziploc bag, combine 1 cup of half and half, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Tightly seal the pint-sized bag and place it inside of the gallon sized bag. Tightly seal the larger bag. Shake for approximately five minutes or until the mixture hardens. Remove the smaller bag and discard the gallon sized bag. Add your favorite candy, cookie, or fruit toppings and eat it straight from the bag.
What are your favorite ways to have fun as a family during the summer months? Leave me a comment and share your brilliant idea so I can keep my girls busy and happy without overspending!
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal or maybe even something for free, you also help our family pay off our mortgage early. And for that, we royally thank you!
[…] 7 Ways for Families to Save Money This Summer […]