The best thing about summer is the abundance of free time. Even if you still have work to do and responsibilities to juggle, the days are longer and moods are lifted, creating more time for recreation. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to make the most of the time and weather without breaking the bank.
The following activities are perfect for summer and suit any individual, couple, or family—and they won’t cost you a dime. Take a look, and promise yourself to try something new this summer.
Why You Should Make the Most of Summer This Year
While it might be easy to loosely plan some activities and never get around to them, it’s important to get out there and have a good time. Sunbathing and making the time to do absolutely nothing is important too, but the last thing you want is to look back on summer and think about the fun you could’ve had.
21 Activities for Free Summer Fun
Have you found yourself Googling “summer activities near me,” wondering what you can do? Here are several ideas you can mix and match to create the perfect summer day with your friends, family, or to take some time for yourself.
1. Beach It Up
If you live within driving distance of the beach, hanging out near the water is a great way to spend a summer’s day. Pick a sunny day, load up on sunscreen, and head to the beach with towels in hand. If you have kids, don’t forget to pack some sandcastle molds and spades (or, if you’re a kid at heart, pack them anyway). If it starts to get too hot, you can go for a dip in the water.
And if you have a dog, one of the best things about this activity is that you can bring them along too.
Not within driving distance of a beach? Recreate the idea in your backyard with a sand pit, a paddling pool, and some cool drinks.
2. Plan a Picnic in the Park
Why sit in your house to eat when you can pack the food and take it to the park? Get a tote bag or basket, pack some food that isn’t too temperature-sensitive, and then take it with you. You’ll also want to pack some bug spray (just in case) and a blanket to sit on.
Sandwiches and cucumber and pasta salads are great for a summer picnic, as they’re cold and refreshing. Just make sure not to pack things that might melt, like ice cream and popsicles—or bring a cooler, if you have one.
3. Hold an Outdoor Movie Night
An outdoor movie night is the perfect activity for when the sun sets and things start to cool down. Grab a projector, hang up a sheet, and you can watch movies in your yard.
If you don’t have a projector, outdoor movie nights are also popular events hosted by neighborhoods and cities, so if you don’t have the necessary stuff, look around for some events. Drive-in theaters are another fun option if you can find one near you.
4. Take a Hike
It’s not advisable to undertake a five-mile hike in 90-degree weather, but if you’re an early riser and the sun isn’t too scorching, a short hike is a great start to your day. Studies have proven that exercise improves mental health, so start your days on a positive note to set the tone for a great summer.
5. Watch the Sunrise
If you’re willing to get up early enough, include the sunrise in your plans. There’s something incomparably peaceful about watching the day start when everyone else is still asleep. You can catch the sunrise as you sip your morning coffee or make it a part of your hiking destination.
6. Stargaze
If you’re not much of an early riser, stargazing might be more up your alley. Staring up into the stars is a great way to end the night or begin an evening of activities. Do it solo and introspect, or enjoy this activity with family and friends.
Astronomy apps can level up your stargazing experience by telling you which constellations you’re looking at.
7. Get Thrifty at a Farmers’ Market
Attending a farmers’ market should be on your summer activities list, even if you don’t intend to spend money there. They’re a great place to see local goods on display, meet local businesses, and run into your neighbors. Some even boast live music and kid-friendly activities.
8. Try Geocaching
Geocaching is an activity where people hide and seek containers worldwide using coordinates. Create an account on Geocaching (or download the app) to begin your outdoor adventure. It’s a fun activity, encourages exploration, and allows you to interact safely with people from around the world.
9. Visit a National Park
If you’re fortunate enough to live near a national park, you should go for a visit. Every national park has incredible sights and wildlife, making the experience genuinely unique at every park.
Pro Tip: Always check the park’s hours and weather before you go. It is possible for it to get too hot to spend an extended amount of time there.
10. Camp in Your Backyard (or a Friend’s)
While you can camp for cheap, it’s never free if you include the cost of gas to get there.
But backyard camping is another story.
Rustle up your old tent and sleeping bags and create an outdoor experience within the safety of your own property. This is a fun activity for couples and kids, and it’ll feel like you had a night away.
11. Host a Yard Sale
Having a yard sale is a great idea because not only is it free, but you can also make money from it.
Go through your belongings and look for the things you never use anymore. Then, set them up outside. Post in local social media groups, such as Nextdoor or neighborhood Facebook groups, to help get the word out.
If you have kids, let them help by selling homemade lemonade. It’s a summertime classic, and they’ll love playing mini-entrepreneurs.
12. Have a Cookout
If you go all summer without a cookout, you haven’t done summer right! Instead of making dinner over the stove alone, head outside and fire up the grill with friends and family. Nothing feels more like summer than the smell of grilled burgers wafting through the yard.
13. Visit a Zoo or Animal Sanctuary
Of all the summer activities for families, this is a favorite. Everyone loves animals and adventure, and zoos and sanctuaries offer both.
If you’re not a fan of large zoos, many smaller zoos and animal sanctuaries only take in animals in need of help and don’t cost a thing to visit (though they may ask for a donation).
14. Walk a Dog or Two
If you truly love animals and don’t have a pet of your own, consider taking someone else’s dog on a walk for them. Your neighbors might appreciate the help, or you can go to a shelter and volunteer your time. Most shelters will gladly let you take a dog out for a day—it’s a great way to give pups exercise and socialization when the workers don’t have time to do it themselves.
15. Find Free Festivals in Your Area
Try searching Facebook events or local newsletters for free events in your area. Whether it’s a small music festival, food festival, art show, or a celebration of something else entirely, these events are often free and offer a fun place to stroll around and explore various vendors and artists.
16. Explore Free Museums
Although we associate summer with being outside in the sun, sometimes the heat is too much, and you want to bring the fun inside.
On these summer days, look at museums in your area. You’ll find that many of them are free, from nature and history museums to art exhibits (though they may ask for a donation).
17. Visit the Library
Another idea to switch things up for a day indoors is to visit your local library. Libraries are free to use and are vital to providing accessible reading material to the community. Consider borrowing books for a cozy reading day or reading there for a change of environment.
18. Create a Scavenger Hunt
If you’re looking for fun summer activities for kids, a scavenger hunt is an excellent idea. The best part? It’s so customizable.
You can make the hunt more or less challenging depending on how old your kids are; if it’s hot outside, you can confine it to the indoors; and you can choose a theme or prize suited to a niche the hunter will love.
The reward at the end also doesn’t have to cost money—a token movie night where they can pick the film is good enough! This activity is more about the fun of the hunt itself.
This idea also isn’t limited to children. Have fun with your friends or create a romantic scavenger hunt with your partner.
19. Make DIY Popsicles
Popsicles are super easy to make, and the ingredients are simple enough that you may have them sitting around already. Yogurt, fruit, and juice popsicles are popular choices, but take a look at some recipes to pick one or two you’re excited about. You can also make flavored ice cubes for drinks!
20. People Watch
People watching is a simple activity, but it’s different every time. You can people-watch at the mall, a park, anywhere! It’s fun to make up stories about the people you see, and if you have someone with you, you can take turns weaving a tale for each other.
21. Go Wild With a ‘Yes’ Day
One of the best but perhaps riskiest summer fun ideas is giving your kids, partner, or friend a ‘yes’ day. This is a day where you have to say ‘yes’ to everything they suggest for the whole day. It may be a wild ride, but it’s sure to be a day you’ll never forget (and likely the best day of the summer for them).
As with all fun, free summer activities, be sure to set reasonable boundaries beforehand—like a budget or the stipulation that you can’t go further than a few miles from the house.
Try Something New This Summer
If you have no idea what you want to do this summer, try something new. Indulge in many activities, and if you don’t like one, you don’t have to do it again! Think about what your loved ones would like and encourage them to participate in some summer activities with you.
Chances are, most of the above will give you a memorable experience, and no matter what, you can look back on the summer and confidently say you made the most of it.