Raising a family isn’t cheap, but I’m the first to admit that it doesn’t have to be expensive especially when it comes to having fun. There are so many frugal family fun activities that you can indulge in without traveling far, especially while the kids are out for Spring and Summer break.
There are many ways to have fun without breaking the bank. You can choose from many frugal family fun activities that allow you to save money instead of waste it. That money is better spent towards reaching your long-term financial goals anyway.
Great frugal family fun activities everyone will enjoy
My family loves exploring ways we can enjoy frugal family fun activities without spending a lot of money. We may have to get a bit creative, but let’s be honest. The best family experiences and memories usually don’t cost anything.
Below I’ve outlined 15 frugal family fun activities you and your family can enjoy this year to make your budget stretch. My goal is to inspire you to think outside the box and have fun with your family without breaking your budget.
Related: 12 fun and frugal activities to enjoy this Fall
Go for a walk
This is the easiest frugal family fun activity to enjoy. Walking is not only free, but it’s a great time to catch up with the family and get in a bit of exercise as well. If your kids have bikes, you can consider hopping on the bikes as well. There’s no telling where the ride may take you.
Play a board game
We love playing board games. This is a great way to get the entire family involved. It can lead to hours upon hours of fun depending on what game you choose or how many you decide to play.
Go to the park
Once the weather is nice, you will find my family at the park at least once a week. It’s free and you can create memories with your family. Pack a snack or lunch to enjoy while you’re there to make it more of a family outing and to switch things up a bit.
Enjoy a staycation
Staying local to save money rather than taking trips doesn’t have to be boring. Grab your planner and create an itinerary of all the many places in your community that you can explore.
Check out that new restaurant that you’ve been dying to try or what about that indoor playground that all the moms have been raving about on Facebook. Opting for a staycation will help you save so much money on lodging, which is typically the most expensive part of vacationing.
Be sure to also pencil in any free events on entries for kids this week as well. Before you know it, you’ll have a full schedule that your family can enjoy even though you may be on a tight budget.
Take a day trip
What I love about living in northeast Florida is that there is so much to do nearby. That makes it so easy to take day trips to visit historic sites, theme parks, water parks and so much more.
With a quick Google search, you’ll be able to determine any kid-friendly places near you that you know your family with love.
To keep costs at a minimum, pack snacks and lunches to have on the road so that you’re not stopping through the drive-thru or grabbing a snack during one of many bathroom stops. Gotta love traveling with kids.
Visit a local festival
Attending festivals is so much fun. They typically pop up everywhere during the Spring and Fall, so it shouldn’t be hard for you to locate one in your community. Most are free, or the entrance fee is very minimal. And to help keep costs down, pack a lunch for your family to enjoy picnic-style so that you don’t spend impulsively on festival food.
Have a movie night in
At-home movie nights are another great frugal family fun activity. Let everyone pick out a movie whether on television or Netflix and enjoy a movie night in. If you have a Fire TV Stick, that’s also a great way to watch a variety of movies and shows.
Make some popcorn, snuggle on the couch with the little ones, and watch your favorite movie together. This will be a fun family night indeed.
Go camping
Camping is one of my favorite childhood memories. It gives you a moment to unplug a bit and just enjoy time spent with your family. You can borrow or buy second-hand camping gear to keep costs at a minimum. Be sure to pack your non-stick pans to be creative during mealtime. Pinterest has a bunch of one-pot meals your family can enjoy.
While you’re on Pinterest, be sure to follow me 😊
A day at the museum
Growing up I loved learning about history and all the things, and I still love it to this day. In fact, last year my family visited the Georgia Aquarium twice in one year – that’s how much we love it. Get the kids in the car and take a tour of your local history museum, children’s museum, or maybe even an art gallery.
Most attractions offer cheaper admission during the week or you may be able to snag a deeper discount by purchasing your tickets through Groupon or TicketsAtWork.com.
Go on a scavenger hunt
What kid doesn’t love finding and discovering things? Make a list of items around the house and let the kids search for them while being timed. You can reward them with small trinkets such as stickers as they complete the list. Ideas for the scavenger hunt may be “something that writes blue,” “something that has fur,” or “something that has a smell.” Base the list’s difficulty and length on your child’s age. This is a good activity to do right before nap time to tire the kids out. Then you’ll be able to get back to crossing all those items off your to-do list in peace.
Visit the library
The library is so much fun for kids (and adults). Take a trip to your local library and let your kids pick out books or participate in the many activities they host weekly.
When school is out, their calendar is typically action-packed and best of all it’s free. Some libraries even offer movies and games that you can check out to enjoy at home.
If you don’t have a library card, be sure to sign up for one to have instant access to many books, including audible books through apps like Hoopla. Your library card is the only card I give you permission to max out yearly.
Have a dance party
“Alexa, play Kids Bop.” This is my daughter’s favorite phrase. There are so many popular dances out now that the kids love. You may even learn some new moves. This is sure to bring a bit of comic relief to your afternoons and will help you and the kids get all your wiggles out before bedtime.
Go to the zoo
The springtime is the perfect time to visit the zoo. It’s not too hot or cold so all the animals are out and ready to be seen and fed. If you don’t have a membership, there may be a small entrance fee, but be sure to check their website ahead of time to see which days and/or times your local zoo offers a discount.
Have a beach or pool day
Depending on where you live, and the weather, it may be hot enough to head to the beach or the pool. Kids absolutely love the water. Outside of parking costs, your budget will be practically nonexistent.
Don’t worry if you don’t live near the beach or it’s not quite warm enough to go to the pool. You can have an indoor pool party. Turn up the heat, turn on the summer music, and let the kids put on their swimsuits. You can enjoy lemonade and popsicles and if you’re up for it, let the kids go swimming in the pool.
You can also check your local recreation center to see if they have an indoor pool. You may have to pay about $5 per person for entrance, which still beats the price of a Spring Break trip.
Cook together
Open your Pinterest app and discover a new recipe you and your kids can cook together. Get the entire family involved. Your smaller kids can help by measuring and mixing ingredients and if your kids are older, they can help chop and prepare fruit and vegetables. If you decide to bake a batch of cookies or make lemonade, you can set up a stand in your front yard, so the kids can show off their skills and make a bit of money in the process.
Wrap up
This list of frugal family fun activities only touches on a handful of ideas that’ll provide hours of entertainment for the entire family. Not only are the majority of them free, but you and your family will also be able to get in a bit of exercise as well.
Even though you’re on a journey towards financial freedom, that doesn’t mean you can’t have any fun. Try these frugal family fun activities to keep you and your kids entertained all year long.
