Our household is in full on summer mode at the moment. As I write this, I have my feet propped up on our patio table, drinking a Diet Coke (which like me, is sweating profusely). M has the sprinkler on and is playing in his little blow up pool. Practically heaven. Summer snuck up on me this year. In the Midwest, the temperature is already in the high 90’s so truly, we are in full summer mode. Every summer I like to make a summer bucket list so that we can savor all of the delicious summer moments. And, because we are currently living on a TIGHT budget, our cheap summer bucket list ideas call for a little creativity. Here are some of my favorites.
Go swimming.
Find a friend with a pool or pay a few bucks at a local public pool and get your swimming on! Nothing feels like summer quite like spending a day at the pool.
Go to a local college or minor league baseball game.
One of my favorite cheap summer bucket list ideas is hitting up a local minor league or college’s baseball game. You get the same summer baseball vibes that you’d get with a pro team, but for only a few bucks!
Eat watermelon.
Watermelon is in season in the summer which is why its EXTRA delicious in the summer months.
Take a road trip.
Instead of spending a ton of money on a long distance vacation, take a weekend road trip with friends or family to somewhere close!
Drive in movie theater.
The drive in theater is one of my favorite frugal hacks because you usually get two movies for the price of one (assuming you can last through two movies) PLUS its usually cheaper than the actual movies.
Go to the lake.
It is definitely not summer until you’ve made a trip to the lake.
Float down the river.
Blow up some tubes (I’m obsessed with the brand Big Mouth, linked in this pic) and float down a nearby river with family or friends!
Bridge or cliff jumping.
Find a safe bridge or cliff that you can jump off into deep water. Talk about cheap thrills!
Go on a hike.
Take advantage of the warm weather by going on a hike.
Bike ride.
If you want to get real crazy you could make it a tandem ride!
Wake up early.
One of my favorite things about summer is all of the extra light! Wake up early and kick start your day with that early morning summer sun.
Make popsicles.
Yummy fruit filled popsicle recipe here.
Go camping.
Is there anything better than camping in the summer time??
Watch the sunset.
Make ice cream.
One of my favorite cheap summer bucket list ideas is making home made ice cream! After calculating my expenses, I can’t really say that its cheaper to make your own ice cream. But it is fun and delicious.
Watch the Sandlot.
It is not officially summer until you have watched the greatest movie of all time, the Sandlot.
Play in the sprinkler.
Have a water balloon fight.
Fill up a million water balloons all at once with this genius device!
Make a craft.
Play on a slip’n’slide.
Make homemade bubbles (and play with them).
Easiest and most exciting activity ever. Slowly mix 6 cups of water with 1 cup of dish soap and 1/4 cup of corn syrup. Use a bubble wand, hanger, or straw to blow bubbles.
Find constellations in the stars.
Pull up some constellations on your phone and head out to where you can see lots of stars. Try to find some constellations, or get creative and make up some of your own.
Go paddle boarding.
You can usually rent paddle boards for an afternoon for less than $20!
Go to the beach.
What is summer time without a trip to the beach? If you don’t live near one, read up on how you can take a beach vacation on a budget here.
Play at a splash pad.
Have a bonfire.
And obviously, eat s’mores while you’re at it.
Read a book.
Have a sidewalk chalk art contest.
Sidewalk chalk is CHEAP and can provide hours of entertainment. Grab some friends or neighbors and host a sidewalk chalk art contest. Grab enough sidewalk chalk to last you the summer here:
Your summer bucket list does not have to break the bank. With a little creativity, you can have a memorable summer. What is on your summer bucket list? I’d love to hear from you!
Hi there! I’m Amber! And welcome to the Deeply in Debt blog where we’re offering simple solutions for big debt.