50 Frugal Activity Ideas for the Whole Family!

It’s official, school’s out and the summer holidays are finally upon us. I don’t know about you, but this loooong stretch can cost us an absolute fortune if we’re not careful. With three children aged 3 to almost 12, it would be easy for us to spend so much money trying to keep them busy and making sure they have a fantastic summer. But, as a family always on the lookout for ways to save money, we have an arsenal of frugal activity ideas to help us to keep those pounds in our pockets this summer!

1. 1. 1. 1. Water painting – give the kids a bowl of water and let them paint water patterns on the patio, walls, drive or anywhere else! Hours of fun and costs pennies.
         2. Visit the local park.
         3. Visit the library – they often have free or very cheap activities in the holidays.
         4. Junk modelling – save up boxes, tubes, plastic bottles etc in the run up to the holidays.
         5. Movie day – snuggle up with some cheap snacks and a favourite movie.
         6. Do some gardening together – the kids will really enjoy it and doing it together stops it feeling like a chore.
         7. Have a cheap pamper session – a few slices of cucumber and some face masks and you’re ready to go.
         8. Go on a family bike ride.
         9. Get the lego out and build together.
         10. Make a bug hotel.
         11. Build a den.
         12. Make slime.
         13. Make a playdate.
         14. Try out a new park.
         15. Do some baking.
         16. Cook a meal together.
         17. Play football.
         18. Draw portraits of each other.
         19. Take a trip to the beach – make sure you take a picnic & research parking to cut the costs.
         20. Make pizza.
         21. Have a colouring challenge.
         22. Make a bird feeder.
         23. Take part in the library summer reading challenge (most libraries will have one).
         24. Play hide & seek.
         25. Visit the charity shop to buy a new board game.
         26. Decorate an old t-shirt.
         27. Join in with your local pebble finders group – decorate a pebble & leave it somewhere for somebody else to find, then go on the hunt for pebbles and when you find one pick it up and move it somewhere else! 
         28. Make something from a big cardboard box – use your imagination!
         29. Visit a garden centre and learn about different plants.
         30. Go swimming – see when your local centre has discounted family sessions.
         31. Do some tracing and colour in your pictures.
         32. Paint together.
         33. Blow bubbles.
         34. Grow your own veg.
         35. Go on a bug hunt – how many ladybirds can you find?
         36. Visit the grandparents.
         37. Make ice lollies.
         38. Make a video together.
         39. Play cards.
         40. Visit a free museum.
         41. Visit a free petting farm.
         42. Find a hill to roll down (not for the faint hearted).
         43. Read stories together.
         44. Collect shells from the beach.
         45. Make a collage using shells.
         46. Have your own mini disco.
         47. Play a video game together.
         48. Plant some seedlings.
         49. Make your own board game.
         50. Feed the ducks.

   So there you have it! Hopefully this list of frugal activity ideas will help you to keep the family occupied without spending too much money. Don’t forget that I’m currently running a free 30 day money-making email course that’s completely free and that’s a great way to boost your income over the expensive summer months.
   

2. If you are thinking of grabbing a last minute deal abroad, then you might want to think about visiting somewhere like Alcudia, with it’s sandy beaches and beautiful Old Town, it’s a lovely place to visit with the family and you can get some fantastic deals.Whatever you get up to, I hope you have a fabulous summer!
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