Enjoy a concert in the park - Spring and summer begin free things to do in the park season. Concerts and movies are just the beginning.
Go camping - Still one of the cheapest vacations one can take, especially through the US National Parks system.
Go for a hike in the woods.
Go for a swim - Many lakes and oceans are free for swimmers, others require a small fee. It’s still a good, affordable way to spend a day. Better yet, find yourself a good, old fashioned swimming hole.
Go fishing.
Have a picnic.
Take the kids to the park.
Visit a museum -There are lots of free museums and many others take a donation.
Work on an arts and craft projects
Play board games.
Dig for fossils or gems. Find out where to dig in your area.
Build sandcastles
Have a barbecue.
Run through your garden sprinkler.
Play a pickup basketball or volleyball game in the park.
Visit the library. Take out books, movies, music or take advantage of some of their great programs.
Take a free online class.
Find a fireworks display.
Go canoeing or kayaking.
Do some birdwatching.
Make a kite and take it for a ride.
Go for a bike ride.
roller blade.
Ride your scooter.
Visit the zoo. Most zoos are affordable and if you get a summer zoo pass you can visit as often as you like for one price.
Read
Sell lemonade
Watch a play at a local theater
Visit a vineyard - some tours are free while others are affordable.
Visit a street fair. Food is cheap, plus craft displays, flea market finds and entertainment abound.
Tour a college campus
Lounge on a hammock
Adopt a pet - Actually adoption fees aren’t as cheap as they used to be but it’s well worth the cost.
Tour a fire house or police station
Bowling - A night out for the family really doesn’t cost much, especially if you bring your own snacks.
Tour a brewery
Bake
Make a chalk mural in your driveway.
Tour a television or radio station
Attend a tv show taping
Shakespeare in the Park - If your area has it
Make a birdhouse
Stroll through a public garden
Work on your own garden
Visit the state or county fair.
Join a book club at the library, Borders or Barnes & Noble
Browse the flea markets.
Find a drive in movie theater in your area.
Take advantage of local cultural events.
Visit a dairy farm.
Visit historic battlefields.
Take a day trip to Washington DC where most of the museums are free.
Volunteer at a soup kitchen or another place that feeds meals to the homeless.
Have a scavenger hunt.
Teach yourself a new language using online tutorials and materials from the library.
Start a scrapbook and fill it with items found outdoors.
Jigsaw puzzles!
Make a working volcano
Have a campfire in your backyard, roast marshmallow and tell ghost stories.
Clean out your house and have a garage sale.
