Having fun with the kids doesn’t need to break the bank!
It’s true: as a stay-at-home mom, I am always trying to stretch the dollars out. Is it the same with you? Well, high five! And that’s why I looooove this season! It’s so easy to find summer ideas on a budget to have fun with the kids!
There are SO many affordable or free things that we can do with our kids during the summertime. Some of them I had never heard of (or noticed) until after I had my first child. It’s amazing what you can find when you are intentionally looking for it, right?!
Check out my favorite second-hand stores for kids!
1. Splash Pads
This is an absolute favorite for us. My kids can play for HOURS at the splash pads around us, and we rotate them during the week! The good thing about the splash pad is that it’s usually free, so other than gas money (if you need to drive), you don’t spend a dime! We have about 7 different splash pads in our surroundings and we usually visit each of them every other day throughout the month.
Some things I MUST bring with me to the splash pad are: towels (of course), water shoes (the ground is usually cement or rocks so it can hurt their feet over time, plus it can get really hot), water and snacks, an extra change of clothes for them AND for me (because most days I can’t resist and end up playing with them in the water – no shame lol), a beach towel or mat for me to sit on while they play (some splash pads don’t have chairs around or they are occupied). This is honestly our #1 activity to do during summer that costs next to nothing!
2. Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles!
My kids can play with bubbles four H-O-U-R-S! It’s one of their favorite thing to do outside! It costs next to nothing and can keep them entertained for a long, long time. My favorite bubbles are these, from Target, you can get a bottle of 80 oz (yes, over half a gallon!) of them for $3! They are thick, don’t leave a residue, and make amazing iridescent bubbles!
For my son’s first birthday, his auntie Crystal gifted this bubble gun that is so amazing my kids literally scream in excitement. It’s super affordable and also super sturdy! Get it here. We’ve had countless bubble machines in the past and none of them worked as well as this one, not to mention they would break with the slightest fall as well. If you don’t want to spend the bucks on a bubble machine, you can always just get a set of bubble tools for super cheap! We have these and my daughter absolutely loves them!
3. Bucket of water on the porch!
This is also a must-do for us doing summer, and it’s so easy and simple that I almost feel embarrassed putting it on this list. But it’s true, kids ARE easy to please if you think about it. If you have any space outside, as small as it is, you can do this too! Porch, patio, deck, dirt area… any space will work! Give them a bucket full of water and a few toys (straws and plastic cups too!). They will be entertained for hours on end. This is usually what I run to whenever I need to vacuum or mop the house, too 😉
4. Public Pools
In many (if not all) towns you can find a public pool to go to. They are not free, but are usually very affordable! If you do a Google search, I bet you can find a kid-friendly pool to visit once a week or whenever you feel like it!
For example, in my whereabouts, I have the Cherokee Oasis Pool and the name says it all: it’s an OASIS for children! Water slides, sprayers, and fun structures make it for a GREAT outing during summer. And the best part: it only costs me $7 per kid to enjoy it all day long!
Make sure you bring extra swimming diapers if your child is not potty trained as most public pools require a double layer of protection for babies to enter the pool. It’s also smart to bring some extra cash to get drinks and snacks on the vending machines (or bring them from home!). Swimming can make kids extra hungry in my personal experience.
5. Early morning or late afternoon park or playground
Where I live (Atlanta surroundings), it can get VERY hot and humid in the summer. This means going to the playground during the day is a big no for us, as the slides burn them and the sun is so hot you can barely think! So, we always go in the early morning (before 10 AM) or late afternoon (after 6 PM). They get an hour or so of play just to get the energy out, but it’s something we do every single day! Not only it’s super fun but it also helps them spend energy, meet new or old friends and practice their climbing/running skills.
Whether you go out or stay in, you can always find something fun to do during the summertime. Also, make sure you have sunscreen on hand whenever you leave the house, as well as a change of clothes, towels, and swimsuits! I have the habit of always having them in my car at all times! I could not tell you how many times we have passed a splash pad on the way home from somewhere and decided to stop for some water play! It’s always good to be prepared 😊
Support our page by sharing this post!