Sweet summertime. A time for students to rest, recharge and dare I say…be bored. Summer is a wonderful time to slow down and enjoy some simple pleasures. But if we are not careful, it can be a time to spend way too much money. Today are talking about seven free or low-cost summer activities.
Seven Free or Low-Cost Summer Activities
- Go on a scavenger hunt. Make a list of some items you can find within walking distance of your home. Clip your list to a binder or clipboard and then set out to find your items. Some examples could be easy items such as rocks, leaves, or a flower. Others can be more specific such as a cardinal, or a green car.
- Make homemade ice cream. There are hundreds of recipes for homemade ice cream on Pinterest. Here is an easy recipe that is “no churn”, which means you don’t need an ice cream machine to make it! Get creative with your toppings or flavors!
- Make cards for soldiers. This is a wonderful way to show your love and appreciation to troops that are overseas or currently away from their families. Here is one organization you can connect with. There are also organizations that collect cards for nursing homes and hospitals. Commit to spending some time doing something for others.
- Plant seeds. Sunflowers, vegetables, pumpkins, herbs. Consequently, the list is endless and a small garden is a relatively low cost. If you live somewhere that does not have space for a garden, try a window garden!
- Catch lightning bugs. In my world, they are lightning bugs. To be clear, you might call them fireflies. Whatever the name, they are MAGICAL!! They aren’t out all summer so take advantage of looking for them while you can!
- Visit the library. Take a day and visit the local library. They often amp up their programs in the summer and offer things for babies all the way up to adults. In addition, pick up a good read and lose in your own imagination.
- Help a neighbor. A couple of years back, my family unexpectedly connected with a widow who lived down the street. She had so many needs that were going unfulfilled. Our family was blessed to work with her and she was blessed to get the help. Above all, it was a great way for my teenagers to get out of the house and serve others.
In short, I hope these seven free or low-cost summer fun activities remind you to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.