Summer is just around the corner, but COVID-19 has certainly had a bad effect on our wallets—not to mention our outing options. With the combination of businesses being closed down and our spending potential being limited, a lot of us will have to look for creative ways to have cheap thrills this summer. So if you’re stuck trying to brainstorm some ideas for your summer on a budget, we’ve got you covered with this list of 21 activities that won’t break the bank.
1. Head to the water
Whether it’s the beach, a lake, a pond, or even a brook, nothing quite screams summer like watching the sun glint off the water and hearing the rippling of the current as it glides around you. Grab some SPF 30 and suit up for this relaxing (and completely free!) summer activity.
2. Have a candlelit dinner at home
Just because the restaurants are closed for dining in doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice having a beautiful and out-of-the-ordinary dinner atmosphere. Grab that old foldable card table from the closet and cover it with a sheet, a few candles, some flowers, and a bottle of wine. With all the money you’ll save from cooking at home, you’ll wonder why you ever used to eat out.
3. Host an outdoor movie night
The average cost of a movie theatre ticket in 2020 is over $12.00 (just for admission)! The average soda cost at the movies is another $5.00 and the average price of popcorn is $7.00. Adding up all these things brings the cost of a trip to the movies to a potential of $24.00 per person. Instead, buy an outside movie projector and watch limitless movies for what would normally equate to the cost of about four trips to the theatre. Set up a sheet on the clothesline, spread out some blankets and pillows, heat up the microwave popcorn and enjoy your movie night on a budget!
4. Go for a hike
Hikes offer some of the most memorable moments and breathtaking views of the summer. Plus, it’s a great way to get out of isolation and get some fulfilling exercise. Find a trail and get some fresh air out in the wilderness. It’s a great way to get back in touch with nature and be humbled without spending a dime.
5. Take up gardening
Whether it’s flowers, vegetables, or herbs, gardening is a great way to get out in the sun and get your hands dirty. Plus, gardens add so much value to your life! Nothing compares to fresh cut flowers, homegrown cucumbers, or a mojito made with your own fresh mint. It’s a hobby and a form of self-sufficiency, which means it’s healthy for you AND for your bank account.
6. Go for a bike ride
Bicycles aren’t exclusively for children or pro cyclists, they’re fun for everyone! If you have a short trip to make or just want to do something fun, grab your bicycle and leave your car at home. Not only is it better for your personal health, but it’s better for the health of the environment. Opt for a more up close and personal experience with the roads you travel on the next time you have a trip to make.
7. Make your own smoothies (or milkshakes)
A small strawberry smoothie costs $4.25 from Starbucks, but the average cost of a strawberry, blueberry, banana smoothie made at home comes out to an average of just over $2.00. That’s about half the price for a smoothie that has a bigger variety of fresher ingredients, can be tailored to the sweetness you prefer, and can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home. It’s a no brainer!
8. Get crafty
This is the summer to get crafty. Learn to paint with watercolors, teach yourself some origami skills, start a scrap book, create a photo wall, press flowers! There’s endless online resources for arts and crafts that you can try with materials that you probably already have at home! Tap into your creative side this summer and save yourself some money while you’re at it.
9. Fill some water balloons
They’re every bit as much fun now as you remember them being in your childhood! Grab some friends and bring out the oldies, from water balloon tosses, to flat-out fights! This blast from the past will bring out your inner kid for an affordable price.
10. Pack a picnic
They make for the best lunches! Bring some fresh fruit, cheese and crackers, sandwiches, cookies, and drinks and you’ll have it made in the shade. All it costs you is a dirty blanket, and we think that seems like a price worth paying.
11. Build a campfire
There’s nothing like sitting under the stars eating s’mores with family and friends on a warm summer night. This is one of our favorite ways to spend summer evenings, and—even better—it’s completely free! So go ahead and bring on the marshmallows! (And for a particularly unique s’more, put the marshmallow between chocolate chip cookies instead of graham crackers. You’re welcome in advance!)
12. Have a dance party
Crank up the music, and invite your friends over to let loose with a dance party! All you need to do for this one is dance like no one’s watching to a playlist of your favorite songs. For added fun, open the wine, bring out the cheese and crackers and, of course, set up the speakers.
13. Invest in a sprinkler
Warmer days call for some fun with water, and if you don’t have a pool or body of water nearby, a sprinkler is a great alternative! (And when you’re done having your fun in the sun, set it up by the garden and let it do your watering for you. It’s fun AND practical!)
14. Take some time to sunbathe
Now is the time to soak up the vitamin D! Grab a pair of sunglasses along with that book you’ve been wanting to read and catch some rays. And don’t forget the sunscreen (you’ll still get tan, and your skin will thank us when you’re older—we promise).
15. Fly a kite
There’s TONS of adorable kite designs out there, just waiting for you to make them fly. Pick one you like and wait for a windy day. Then head to an area with plenty of open space and let it go. It’s a great way to entertain yourself at an affordable cost.
16. Repaint your bedroom
Put on some old clothes and spread out some old newspapers. For a small amount of money, you can completely change and reinvigorate your space! This is a great way to mix it up and add some variance to your life. A little bit of paint goes a long way for your space. And while you’re at, try rearranging your furniture!
17. Bring out the board games
Pictionary, Scattergories, Apples to Apples, Catch Phrase, Life, Sorry, Monopoly, Scrabble, Checkers, Chess, Yahtzee, Battleship, Catan… There’s countless boardgames (and card games) out there and even if there’s a bit of dust on the box, that doesn’t mean that these games are obsolete! Take a break from Netflix binging and social media scrolling, and engage in a game night with friends!
18. Get sporty
Invite friends over, then grab a soccer ball, football, whiffle ball, basketball, volleyball, baseball, tennis ball, frisbee, hula hoop, etc… and head outside. There’s nothing wrong with a little friendly competition, especially when exercise is involved!
19. Wash your car at home
The average price of a commercial car wash in the US comes out to about $15.00. Washing your car at home is a much more affordable option. An $18.00 car wash kit including soap, wax, and microfiber cloth used for 16 washes ends up costing you $1.12 per wash. Plus, you get to spend some time outside in the sun and blast your favorite music while you work!
20. Pitch a tent
Fresh air and a starry sky above us makes camping one of our favorite parts of summertime. Even if you just pitch a tent in your own backyard, there’s something so special about sleeping outside when warm weather arrives. Unroll your sleeping bags and get comfy for a night in the wilderness!
21. Have an at-home spa day
Treat yourself to top notch self-care without going broke! Takes turns painting nails, giving massages, and applying face masks with some of your closest friends. But first, draw the bubble bath, and turn on the oil diffuser. Don’t forget to end the spa experience with a nice glass of wine and a little Nora Jones.
7 Comments
Nkem
June 23, 2020 at 2:33 pmHmm you’ve given me some good ideas here! I love arts and crafts and projects, and can always get into a dance party or a spa day! Thanks for these!
-Nkem | http://www.wellspringwords.love
Lauren Sumner
June 23, 2020 at 6:15 pmI’m so glad that this was able to spark some inspiration for you! Have fun!
Hallie D Sayre
June 23, 2020 at 8:23 pmAmazing ideas! A lot of stuff is still closed where I live so there ideas will be perfect! thank you!
Lauren Sumner
June 23, 2020 at 8:26 pmNo problem, enjoy!
Supal
June 25, 2020 at 12:27 amThis is such a sweet list! I can’t wait to put together a June and July bucket list with some of these 🙂
Jenn Kalchik
June 25, 2020 at 2:55 amThese are great ideas! My boyfriend and I are planning to go hiking more this summer. Cheap way to have fun and it’s easy to practice social distancing.
Fulu
June 25, 2020 at 11:55 amWonderful ideas. Who says you can’t have fun on a budget 😄