#1: Backyard Camping
What’s more fun than a night under the stars? Even if you don’t have all the camping gear you can have a camp out night right in your backyard! Without all the expenses of gas, food, camping gear and more than likely a ton of bug spray. Even if you don’t have a tent, a campfire circle telling spooky stories is sure enough to make some long lasting memories and maybe even start a tradition. If you are looking to make it feel a little more like camping, check out Facebook Marketplace or secondhand stores for deals on things like tents, picnic blankets and even flashlights!
#2: Hiking
Even in the winter hiking can be a great activity, but in the summer time it is an excellent one! A surefire way to get some exercise, fresh air and some quality outdoor time. Hiking is great for the whole family and also brings an element of trying new things and seeing new places! Not to mention there are plenty of activities you can also include while hiking like bird watching, sightseeing and even stopping for a picnic lunch.
#3: Beach Days
What’s more fun in the summer time than a beach day? Laying in the sun, splashing around in the water and cool drinks to sip on all day long. A beach day can make for a fun activity that fills the whole day up! All you really need is a cooler and some towels. Even if you or your family is not up for swimming, a walk on the beach or even some beach volleyball is a great way to take in the summer sights and get some sun!
#4: Street Festivals
There are tons of events that take place once the weather is nicer`. Many cities and towns may have street festivals going on where you can partake in all of the live entertainment. While food may be a bit expensive at street festivals, the experience is free! Just bring a bagged lunch and you’ll be good to walk on the street all day and see a plethora of street performers and exhibitions.
#5: Bike Rides
Bike rides are a wonderful activity to do in the summer. Not only is it a free activity but it can also be a free mode of transportation! You can visit a park and ride your bikes on trails, use your bike to explore new parts of your city, or even use your bike to visit a friend that may live a little further away. Even if you don’t already own your own bike, checking out local thrift stores and even looking online using ebay or Facebook marketplace is a good way to find a bike on a budget.
#6: Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger hunts are particularly great for the little ones in your life. While the kids aren’t at school they may tend to get a little restless. Coming up with a scavenger hunt for them to do can be a good way to keep them occupied and their minds sharp. Arguably the best thing about a scavenger hunt is that you can tailor it to any scenario! Maybe your going camping for the weekend and want to make a camp scavenger list, or maybe one for a day in the city. Whether you’re staying at home or traveling hours away, a scavenger hunt is always an available option.
#7: Picnics
Picnics are an easy and inexpensive way to spruce up any meal. Whether it be with your family, significant other, friends or just alone, it is always nice to head outside in the warm weather and enjoy your meal in nature. Another huge perk of going on a picnic is that pets are always welcome! You can also take the picnic with you wherever you go, whether that be in your backyard or a local park, you can always find some space to lay down a blanket!
#8: Building a Fort
Building a fort is always fun and it will definitely keep your little ones engaged and attentive. It can be especially good for those rainy days where you can’t get outside and enjoy the summer sun. All you need is some blankets and pillows (and maybe a lantern!) to complete a fun fort for the kids to play in all day. Alternatively, if you have grown out of the pillow/blanket fort age, you can always try your hand at building a shelter outside. There are tons of tutorials on youtube and if you’re an adventurer it may come in handy later on!
#9: Start a Neighbourhood Sports League
Whether it’s for your kids or for yourself, starting a friendly neighborhood sports league is a great way to generate some summer activity. It can also help build a sense of community between you and your fellow neighbors. It can help to nurture friendships and education between strangers and acquaintances as well. It doesn’t have to be competitive, it just has to be fun. It’s never too late or too early to make friends!
#10: Visit your Local Library
Libraries aren’t just for when you have a school assignment, they also host and house many other resources and activities. Whether it be for a younger audience or an older audience, there is an experience for everyone. You can visit the library to learn a new topic, which can also take the chore out of reading and make it a lot more fun! Kids are curious about everything, why not feed their curiosity with a trip to the library? Many libraries also host events like story tellings and workshops which can be a great outing for the younger age group. Not only that but libraries don’t just rent books anymore! Have a movie night with a free rental from your local library!
#12: Free Admission
Many museums and art exhibits now offer specific times during the week to visit exhibits and galleries for free! Many institutes offer free admission year round but during Summer seems like the perfect time to take advantage, when you typically have a little more free time on your hands and when the weather is a lot easier to get around in!
Some Places across Canada that offer free admission are:
- National Gallery of Canada
- Art Gallery of Ontario
- Canadian Museum of Nature
- Canadian Museum for Human Rights
- Canadian Museum of History
- Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
Be sure to always check before traveling what date and times each museum offers free admission!
#13: Thrift Shopping
While thrifting is not a completely free activity to do, it is definitely an inexpensive way to do some shopping. With all the different seasons we experience in Canada, people tend to have to buy clothes for new seasons on a regular basis. Especially for kids who are growing at a rapid rate and most likely don’t fit into last year’s summer clothes. Checking out your local thrift store is a superb way to go on a shopping spree all while staying on budget. It is also one of the best ways to help the environment by recycling and combating fast fashion.
While inflation rises and basic necessities get increasingly expensive, it’s important to remember all the places you are able to cut some costs out. Everything found on this list is either free or inexpensive and will definitely be able to fill up those hours of summer, even with the longer days. It’s also important to take advantage of the internet when you can by searching out certain events that may be happening around your town or local community! DebtReview is committed to providing the best service to those who need it, whether it be for debt relief, or simply just some information from our local blog. If you ever have any questions, you can always reach us at 800-335-8176. Have a good summer!