Super Cheap Summer Bucket List For the Young Family

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Summer is the perfect time for longer days, a lazier schedule, and hopefully some extra fun as well.

If your summer is like mine, it can seem to go by in a flash. If you’re not careful, the summer can slip right through your fingers. The next thing you know, you realize you’ve done little to no activities to really focus on having fun as a family.

There are so many amazing things to do for summer fun, but not all activities are so easy when you have young kids.

And if money is tight, many of the typical summertime activities might not be feasible options for you either.

Do you find yourself wanting to have fun with your young kids but struggle with ideas of just what to do? Do you have a more limited budget for summer activities this year?

 Here is your super cheap bucket list of activities for the young family.

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Have an ice cream sundae bar

This is super easy and fun as well! Just grab a couple of smaller tubs of ice cream from the store and some basic toppings, line them all up, and you’re good to go!

Visit a parade

There are normally a ton of parades around for various reasons, and it doesn’t cost any money to attend!

Have a water balloon fight

This is so easy and so fun too!

Pssst! I created these in downloadable form so you can print them off and keep them handy! Grab it below!
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Lay outside and star gaze at night

Try to find the various constellations, or try to find planets among the stars!

Have a bonfire and make s’mores

This is a traditional summer activity that sometimes people forget about. If you have kids who are a bit older, you could even tell stories around the fire.

One thing that my kids like to do is tell a story, but each person is only allowed to say one sentence at a time, and you pass the story around. You can end up with a pretty wacky story with plenty of laughter.

Go on a neighborhood scavenger hunt

Make a list of some easy and then a few more difficult items to find. Then, have your kids go door to door in your neighborhood gathering the listed items until everything has been found.

Play in the rain

Grab the swimsuits (or just leave your clothes on!), and forget the umbrellas! Go find some puddles and get soaked in the good ol’ rain!

Have a picnic at a park

I try to make this extra special by getting some sort of treat that we don’t have very often.

Go for a long family bike ride, and be sure to stop for some ice cream

After all, you have a to have a reward for all the biking you did, right?

Have a lemonade stand

This is a great way to have some fun and maybe even make a little money on the side! Be sure to have the kids use the money they earn for something extra special.

Create an obstacle course

You can use anything you find – buckets, ropes, soccer nets, you name it! The crazier the course, the more fun to be had.

Wash the family car

Be forewarned – this will turn into a water fight at some point!

Go fly a kite

Maybe you could sing the song from Mary Poppins at the top of your lungs too! You don’t have to spend a ton of money on a kite. It’s all about fun.

Find pictures in the clouds

This is a great way to get the creative juices going! See who can find the wackiest things!

Go for a nature walk outside looking for treasures

You never know what you may find!

Visit an outdoor farmer’s market

There are so many colors, and it smells so good! We love just taking our time.

Play four square, frisbee, or croquet

Traditional outdoor games that are great for everyone and a variety of ages. Maybe the winter can get out of their chores for the day!

Visit a lake or community pool

It wouldn’t be summer otherwise, would it? Don’t forget the dive rings or sand toys!

Get a giant bubble wand and blow bubbles together

I even love playing with these things. See how big you can get them…and how far they get carried on the wind before popping.

Catch fireflies

You might even get enough to make a light for a tent in the backyard!

Play follow the leader outside at night with flashlights

This is a fun spin on the traditional game! Just be sure there aren’t any sticks or rocks in the play area that people could step on and get hurt.

Visit a local farm or greenhouse to look around and learn

There is so much there that you can learn from! Many of our local greenhouses have special pets, too.

Watch a local sporting event (kids games are usually free)

Who knows? Maybe you’ll spark interest in one of your kids to try a new sport!

Visit a playground

Enough said!

Have a campout in your backyard

This is where that firefly lamp would come in handy. Buy or borrow a simple tent…or sleep out under the stars.

Just because you have a tight budget doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun with your family in the summertime. If you have any to add to the list, comment them below!