Jul 06, 2023

Affordable and Fun Family Summer Activities

Summer affords many opportunities for family fun that won’t break the bank. While some of our KLA Schools families have their children enrolled in our summer camp, many others take advantage of activities like these to keep their kids entertained in the warmer months:

Be a tourist in your own town

Summer is the perfect time to experience the attractions of your local area. We’ve all driven or walked past local museums, galleries, nature areas, or farms in or around our homes, so there’s something for everyone. Many family-friendly attractions like these are inexpensive or even free.

Visit your local library or rec center

Local libraries and rec centers are a great place for fun family-friendly summertime activities. At the rec center, you can enjoy open swim times at the local pool, or even take advantage of drop-in times to play a sport together. And summer is the perfect time to relax with a library book, too. According to the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, observation and teacher assessments of older children “show positive effects of reading to children at age 4 to 5 on their reading skills at later age.”

Learn about other cultures

Whether it’s focused on food, music, history, art, language, or dance, there are bound to be many affordable cultural events to choose from this summer. Check your local newspaper or go online to find events near you. Cultural events are fun and educational for all ages, and they support children to learn about empathy and community.

Visit the farmers’ market

If there’s a farmers’ market near you, it can be a great place to spend some time in the summer with the family. Your child can help you choose the fruits, vegetables, meat, and other food for the week, and learn about where our food comes from. Vendors at the farmers’ market are more than happy to help educate your child about what they do. Your family can support local businesses, and your child can deepen their connection to their community as well.

Go backyard camping

Traditional camping can be fun, but camping in your own backyard can be a fun way to enjoy the great outdoors while still being close to everything you need at home. Additionally, it saves on expenses like fuel and campground fees. Pack a cooler with hot dogs, veggies, and drinks. Just like with regular camping, don’t forget the sunscreen and bug spray.

Try short day trips

Shorter day trips closer to home can be a budget-friendly way to spend family time this summer. Try a nearby petting zoo, berry picking, a family hike, a day at a children’s museum, or a water park to name a few. Ideally, keep travel time within your child’s limits to make it easier on them and their energy levels.