Summer is here! After last year being mid Covid-era, we found lots of creative and unconventional fun things to do in the summer at home to entertain the family without draining the bank account. Looking back, it honestly completely changed my perspective on quality time with family.
It taught me that we don’t always have to be so busy. It taught me that everything we need is right in front of us, and it’s the people we hold closest to us. Don’t get me wrong, I’m super excited to finally travel again with my family this summer! I’m just thankful for all the hardships as it helps you recognize the amazing little things in life. We couldn’t be more excited for another great summer with our kiddos 🙂
When I think of some of my favorite summer memories, I think of simple days spent outside with friends and loved ones. Days spent lounging by the pool or beach. Nights spent watching stunning sunsets or catching fireflies. I think of camping trips, exploring nature and making s’mores by the campfire.
I think its ironic how the most nostalgic summer memories didn’t cost a penny! This is good news for summer 2021, when everyone is looking free or cheap ways to have family fun and create lasting memories.
That is why I found a good place to start looking for free family fun is the outdoors; as it provides a wealth of free activities in which social distancing guidelines can still be practiced if chosen. Here are a few ideas for fun things to do in the summer at home:
Fun Things to do in the Summer
- Camping. Take a road trip. Pitch a tent. Build a campfire. Roast marshmallows. Explore nature. Nothing like really “roughing it” to see family bonding at it finest! Or if you are like me, I prefer backyard “glamping”– its camping all within the confines of your backyard with the amenities of home within safe distance.
- Spend a day at the park. Go explore a new park. Make it a day. Parks usually have trails to hike and playgrounds to get out the kids energy. You can even have a family picnic.
- Star-gazing. Get outside the city and go into the country, where skies are clear. A remote field is a perfect place to catch fireflies and admire the night sky. Download a free astronomy app to help identify stars and constellations.
- Geocaching. Geocaching is outdoor real world treasure hunting. There are numerous free geocaching apps available.
- Kite flying. Mary Poppins knew a thing or two about life, so why not fly a kite or feed the birds as a family?! You could even make your own kites and see which kite flies the best.
- Make a family time capsule. Include items that represent 2020-2021, try to think of things besides hand sanitizer and masks. It will be fun to dig it up years down the road when COVID-19 is a thing of the past and see what creative items your family thought represented 2020. Now that the mask mandate is officially lifted in Nashville, I think looking back at this era will be something we can all reflect on and take a deep breath now that it’s all over.
Although everyone is happier when they get outside and get their recommended daily dose of Vitamin D, there are ways to have family fun indoors, including:
- Start a family book club. Pick a family friendly book and read it together. Then discuss your thoughts as a family. Barnes & Noble has a summer reading program
- Family talent show. Think America’s Got Talent- in your living room. Turn off the TV. Put away the phones. Plan a night to show off each person’s talent. It will be fun to see if anyone has a hidden talent or lack thereof.
- Join your local library. There are several perks you can get from owning a library card, including free access to books, movies, games, music and the internet. Also, some library cards grant free or discounted access to certain museums.
- Family Slumber Party You don’t need to leave the house to have a slumber party. Grab some blankets. Make a living room tent. Then PJs. Popcorn. Netflix and chill.
- Make The Kids Put On A Show. Have the kids put on a fashion show, dance performance, comedy show you name it. Just make sure to hit record so you can keep those memories to embarrass them with down the road.
In my mind free fun is the best kind of fun. It forces us to see the value in what is really important in life- creating memories with loved ones. I hope you enjoyed my ideas for fun things to do in the summer at home!
What are some of your favorite things to do in the summer? Let me know in a comment below!