A Life In Review

Let’s face it, in 2023, it’s getting harder and harder to find free (FUN) things to do. So I did my favorite thing and pulled together a list of activities that are free for you to do with your kids and then at the bottom I added a couple things that you can do at a discount this summer too!

1. The Local Library: this should be your number one spot to hit up this summer because if they are anything like mine, they have so many different children’s events going on. We have reading programs and weekly events and nighttime events and special things for each age group (including adults).
2. Free Museums: According to this National Geographic page, there are 20 free museums spread across the USA. If you’re lucky enough you can find one near you. I also happen to know that there are smaller local ones not listed on this. So be sure to check the local museums too!
3. Free Tickets from the Local Library: I know, I know, the library again. I just love that place. Most of them have access to free tickets for local things like the movie theater and zoos or aquariums. They get taken fast, so make sure you call asap to see what they have available!
4. Get a Free Pizza Hut (personal Pizza) by Reading: There are lots of incentives for kids to read this summer if you just google it. My daughter has been signed up for multiple reading programs with some pretty cool prizes. She’s too young for this one, but if you sign up here (at this link) and finish reading, you can get free pizza.
5. Home Depot Free Monthly Activities: These have been happening for a while, but the first Saturday of every month, Home Depot does a kids event for free from 9:00am – 12:00pm. The next one (as of this post) is August 5th, 2023 and the kids will get to build and take home a treasure chest!
6. Find a Free Outdoor Concert: Though you may not know the bands, this is a chance to hear some free music this summer. And if you want to do this without kids, check out your local bars for free performances!
7. Go for a Hike: There are so many great hiking trails all over this country (or so I hear, because I do not hike). Even in the small town I grew up in we had a few! This is a great way to get outside and get the kids into nature. You could also add a nature scavenger hunt to take this free activity to the next level.
8. Free Church Camps: There will always be free church camps wherever you go. Whether that’s VBS (vacation Bible school) or a free sports camp, tap into those this summer. I promise you the kids will love them, they are so much fun! Also, you do not have to attend these churches to go to these events most of the time!

For a Little Cash:

1. Movie Theaters: A lot of theaters are running deals through the summer so you can take the kids there for a discount.
2. Indoor Adventure Parks: Weekdays are a great time to check out some of the indoor adventure parks near you, they usually offer a discount during the week.

There are a lot of other at home activities that you can do with your kids. You can go back to any of my craft posts and find things there, but I hope this gave you a few outside the home ideas for summer this year! I know it always flew by as a kid and it seems to fly by even faster as the parent. So make the most of the time you have and try not to break the bank in the process! Good Luck!