With summer coming on, and school being out, what do you do? Growing up, summer was our busy time. Farm families have lots to do during the week and you would think that the kids, just like the parents would be ready for Sunday.
Well we were, but we didn’t want naps, we wanted fun activities. Today I’m going to share what I would consider the top 10 family activities that won’t break the bank. Some of these were things we did growing, others are things we wanted to do. 🙂
Top 10 Family Activities for Summer Time:
#1 A family picnic. Last summer there were several times that I packed a lunch for the then 3 year old and we would walk down to a little park for a picnic. Once when we were younger, mother packed a picnic lunch for our Easter Sunday lunch and we ate it beside a little woods and then went hiking. I remember how much fun we had to this day.
#2 Go for a bike ride. Occasionally on Sunday afternoons we would convince daddy to ride bikes with us (to young to go on our own) down to a creek where we would then proceed to jump in and swim for awhile. Other times we would all ride bikes over to Grandpa’s for supper. Then he would load the bikes up and take us all home.
#3 Camping. Camping is an amazing way for a child to experience the outdoors. Tents aren’t horribly expensive and we always put our air mattress in ours. We are softy campers. 🙂 Check out this post for over 30 great ideas for camping.
#4 Backyard camping. If you cannot get the time to go camping, why not construct these little tents for the kids and let them “camp” in the backyard. Chairs, blankets, pillows, books, and other stuff will keep them occupied for hours. Finish off the day by grilling out, and eating out in the yard.
#5 Geocaching. Gone are the days of boring hikes. Why not introduce your kids to the fun of modern day treasure hunting? Learn more about geocaching here.
#6 How about an outdoor movie night? I really don’t think I have to say too much about this, except I now need a large white sheet!
#7 How about a redneck slip and slide? Rolls of plastic can be bought for crazy cheap at a home improvement store. The only other things you need would be soap or oil and running water. I think a sprinkler would be fun here.
#8 Swimming. Do you live near a beach? Definitely make a trip to the beach sometime with the kids. No beach? Look in your area for state parks and public swimming areas. Pack a picnic lunch and make it a day. 🙂
#9 Have lots of boxes around? Why not try something like the awesome creation below? Not that? Then check out this post with 31 different and totally awesome things to do with boxes.
#10 Water Fight! Water guns, water balloons, buckets, garden hose….. Water fights take little more than a bit of ingenuity and lots water. 🙂 For even more fun, try making these water sponges!
So there you have it, the Top 10 Family Activities for Summer time on a Budget!
What are your favorite things to do as a family in the summer time for cheap?
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing! My boys seem to be obsessed with boxes right now, so I’m definitely going to try the maze. Looks so fun!
Our two growing blessings pooled their “spend soon” money to purchase their first slip and slide and it’s been a hit! In the past we have set up a pool in our back yard for water play as well as a sprinkler from time to time. We got Daddy a hammuk for Father’s day this year and he is gracious to share it with the entire family. *smile* Nana got the children water squirters that the entire family has fun with by the way, boxes are great shields or forts in water fights. *big smile* For back yard forts we have used folding chairs and quilts or plant support poke things with quilts for a less sturdy fort. We also enjoy going on a “bear hunt” in our back pasture that is full of weeds of different heights. *smile* We talk about what we are bringing and run like crazy at the end. Something else we enjoy doing is watching the phases of the moon. And looking for different star constilations, this is easier in the fall and winter when darkness comes at a more child friendly time. *smile* This summer scholastic.com has a summer reading challange where the constilations are “unlocked” and there is a video for different constilations to help us know what the clusters are called by others. *smile* Though one summer our local museum had a planitarium exebition for a short time and we went inside a large blowup tent thing a heard a presentation about the constilations and how different people call them different things. *smile* I agree, the beach is fantasti! We have gone this year in the earily summer when the tide was really low and that was quite the experience! *smile* Thank you for sharing this fantastic post. Have a great day. Sincerely, Mommy of two growing blessings & so much more!
Schoolastic is a great program for sure! And I love the idea of unlocking constellations and stuff like that. I grew up out in the country and one of my prized possessions was a very nice telescope. Maybe someday we can make it back out to the country and I can use it again.
Our son loves the study of space and our solar system. He found telescopes in a science catalog and decided they cost too much so now we are looking into building a Galalean telescope. Just yesterday we popped in to the eye doctor’s office to see if they could make the two lenses for him. He got to ask the lady and everything. *smile* We live in the country but our lot is rectangular so our neighbors are town close. *smile* It’s quiet at night and when the sky is clear we can see all sorts of star constilations. *smile* Both of our kids enjoy staying up late to enjoy the stars on a quilt in the back yard or for a “camp fire” in our little pit on the uncovered patio. *smile* God is amazing and I don’t deserve all the blessings He has bestowed upon me! I am richly blessed indeed. *big smile* Have a great day and thank you for making the time to reply to my comment here. *smile* Sincerely, Mommy of two growing blessings & so much more!
That box maze is AWESOME! Thanks for sharing. Hello from Busy Monday!
Kendra…these are some fabulous activities. Something I was looking for and will share out this week as well and tag a friend of mine. Someone needed some ideas…I just can’t remember who. Hmm… Oh and thank you for linking up at Share it Sunday. Appreciate it.
My kids are dying to do an outdoor movie night, but it doesn’t get dark until almost 10:00 here! We would end up with a backyard camping under the stars night for sure. 🙂
Sounds fun 🙂
Stopping by from Worthwhile Wednesday. Great ideas. We have our Grandson 1 weekend a month to give our kids a little alone time, it would be fun to try a few of these out! Would love it if you could stop by the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop (going on now) and Link up this fabulous post. I think it would be a big hit!
Blessings,
Shari
http://puregracefarms.com/2014/07/wonderful-wednesday-blog-hop-80/
Oh wow! These are some amazing ideas for the summer. My son would love these, especially the maze with the boxes. He loves making tunnels and we have tons of boxes from our move a few months ago.
Thanks so much for sharing on Turn It Up Tuesday! I’m pinning for later!
I really want some boxes to do that for the 4 year old, you can do a lot of things with boxes 🙂
Pretty cool that you have lots to work with!
Great tips! Especially the one about geocoaching. I think my kids will like that.
I think I would like that 🙂 But it really sounds like something my younger brothers would enjoy too. Maybe sometime we will take them 🙂
a happy family
Love the ideas. Thanks so much.
Great Ideas here! Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Pinned! Have a great week!
Kim
Great idea. I love the box maze, wish I had more boxes lying around. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty Hope to see you back!