Fun in the Sun: the Cheap Way
“Summer was our best season: it was sleeping on the back screened porch in cots, or trying to sleep in the treehouse; summer was everything good to eat; it was a thousand colors in a parched landscape; but most of all, summer was Dill.”
― Harper Lee
Summer is that time of endless possibilities—three whole months when adventures of any sort could happen. Even better, summer is when so many great memories are made, and luckily those memories don't have to be expensive!
Here are some ideas for free and cheap things to do this summer:
- Visit the library and re-read those wonderful childhood classics, like Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird.
- Whether you're spending time at home or going out of town, search the internet for the local events calendar. You'll often find free or low cost events going on.
- Have you joined Meetup yet? Meetup allows people to find and join groups with common interests in your community. It costs nothing to join, and many events are likewise free.
- Start a workout routine. Many exercises require no equipment, and the internet has many resources available to start a routine today. Here's a cardio workout to get you started.
- Learn something new. Expertvillage has 1000+ playlists of videos with instruction on subjects from tomato gardening to writing a screenplay. Interested in learning to play an instrument, or pursuing another hobby that needs supplies? Find free or low-cost items on sites like Craigslist or Freecycle.
- Binge-watch a TV series. Netflix and Amazon Prime subscriptions are $10 or less a month. Many libraries have DVDs you can borrow for free. And don't forget your friends and family—most people are happy to trade movies with you.
- Take up stargazing. There are numerous apps to make the experience more enjoyable and educational.
- Go on a photo scavenger hunt. Make a list of items or find one online, and take photos. You can play against others or on your own. Set a deadline, or take all summer—it's up to you!
- Combine creativity with a little exercise. Create your own walking tour of your neighborhood or town—pack a lunch, a camera, and notebook, and explore your town. If your area isn't loaded with history, why not make up your own stories? Take your information and make an online brochure to share with your friends.
- Have a yard sale. This is a great way to get rid of some of your unwanted things, meet some of the neighbors, and maybe make a little money, too.
Be a kid again. Run after the ice cream truck. Catch lightning bugs. Play hide-and-seek. Walk barefoot through the grass. Swing on a swing set, slide down a sliding board. Daydream.
There are tons of things you can do for practically free this summer—don't waste one precious moment! Get out there and have some fun!