When my son was young, I was always looking for fun activities I could do that he would enjoy but didn’t break the bank. Especially when I was paying off my consumer debt, my son knew I was focused on paying off my debt but I didn’t want to associate paying off debt with “no fun activities” So I would build our “fun” into my budget because it was important to me to give him experiences. It doesn’t have to be a lot, I put aside $20 a paycheck. Here are a list of free or low-cost activities you can enjoy with your kids.
Free or Low-Cost Activities For Your Kids
Free/Low-cost movies - Some cities have $1 or $2.50 movie theaters, the movies have been out for a while but that’s OK. Cinemark Theaters have a Summer Movie Clubhouse where you can take your children to the movie on a monthly basis for $.50 per movie if you purchase 10 movies in advance or $1 per movie. Regal Cinemas also has a $1 movie program. Also, check your community events, sometimes there are free events like Movie Night In The Park during the summer. You can also purchase snacks from the dollar tree and watch movies at home.
Bowling - AMF Summer Games - 3 games daily for $9.99 for kids and $39.95 for adults. Kidsbowlfree.com provide the bowling alleys that have 2 games free every day all summer long.
Skating - kidsskatefree.com -shows the skating rinks in your area that provides 2 free passes for your kids to skate. I couldn’t verify if this was summer only so just check it out.
Create a field day - Using outdoor games
Monkey Joe’s - Parents are free, the price varies by location but range from $10.99-$11.99
Kids building workshops - If you have handy kids, Home Depot & Lowes has free kids workshops
Craft classes - Michaels, Toys R Us, and The Lego Store has free classes for kids several times a month
Tech lovers- Apple Camp is for 8-12 years old children, 90 minutes a day, 3 days a week. Microsoft YouthSpark Hub - has free online coding tutorials
Cooking classes - Whole Foods has classes available and a story hour
Playdates/Picnic - In the park, at the pool (or kiddie pool), sprayground
Kids eat free - IHOP, Moe’s, Fazoli’s, Fuddruckers, Denny’s, Applebee's, Ruby Tuesdays, Chick-fil-A, TGI Fridays, Steak n’ Shake, O’Charley’s
Game Night - Use the board games you already own
Concerts in the park
Bike rides
Museums - some have free entry
Outdoor festivals
Storytime - Check with your local library and Barnes & Noble
Ice cream date - Snow cones, Sonic, Baskin Robbins, Cold Stone, or you can create your own ice cream sundaes at home. This is also fun with milkshakes & smoothies
Spa Night - If you have girls, you can do a mani/pedi party with the products you have at home.
Exercise - You can do with a YMCA/ gym membership, at a local track, basketball court or at home. My son loves to workout so we pick a workout and do it together.
Start a garden
National Night Out - Normally the first Tuesday in August
Fourth of July Fireworks (United States)- Typically there is a free show in every town
Sporting Events - (it doesn’t have to be major or minor league, it can be park & rec or high school)
I hope this list is helpful to you and you are able to use some of these activities with the special people in your life. Recently my son was watching a football game and mentioned how I would make queso dip and set up a spread that included chips, wings or sandwiches and cookies to eat while we watched the game. All the items were purchased from Aldi for under $15, he doesn’t remember that he remembers the experience.
What free or low-cost activities do you do with your kids?
