There is something about the beginning of summer that sounds magical in the beginning – breakfast outside, lunch at the park, sunshine, and memories – and then reality shows up. Suddenly, you cannot leave your house without spending at least $100 or more, the groceries you bought on Sunday are gone by Wednesday, and you hear “I’m bored” before your coffee has cooled.m
Summer can be fun without spending your entire vacation budget before vacation and let’s be real; kids usually remember the simple things the most. We all have heard, “What was your favorite part about the trip” and their response is always the most underwhelming activity.
Here are some easy ways to survive summer break on a budget while still keeping the magic of summer alive:
Cheap (or Free) Activities Around Knoxville
Splash Pads & Water Fun
You don’t always need a waterpark to cool off. Here are some ideas to stay cool this summer:
- Visit local splash pads: Powell Station, New Harvest Park, Carl Cowan Park, World’s Fair Fountains, Market Square Fountains, and Volunteer Landing Fountains
- Turn on the sprinkler in the backyard: Nothing beats running through backyard “rain” on a hot summer day
- Have a “car wash” day with buckets and sponges: Free labor. Need I say more?
- Water balloon games: They can keep kids entertained for hours
- Kiddie pools: Kids can turn just about anything into fun, no matter the size. Add popsicles and they’ll think they’re getting an extra treat, while you work smarter letting the sticky mess wash off right in the pool.
Local Library
The library is free summer entertainment with activities and more! Our Knoxville-area libraries offer:
- Story times
- Craft days
- STEM activities
- And free air conditioning (honestly important)
The Summer Library Challenge is May 16 – August 9. You can pick up your Jurassic Tracker at any library location beginning May 16. Track your reading or fun literary activities like designing your own dinosaur park, learning to draw your favorite dino, or finding a carnivorous recipe! Reading or listening for 20 minutes, or attending a library program, counts as an activity. Summer library challenge participants earn a treasure box prize every five activities you complete. Plus, if you finish 25 activities, you’ll earn a bonus completion prize.
Cheap Craft Ideas Using Stuff You Already Have
Here are some surprisingly entertaining low-cost crafts:
- Sidewalk chalk paint: Ingredients include corn starch, water, and liquid food coloring. Directions: mix equal parts corn starch and water and whisk until smooth. Then divide mixture into cups or a muffin tin. Use a small drop of food coloring to color the individual containers and then use paint brushes or sponges to paint onto sidewalks.
- DIY obstacle courses: Kids will literally jump over anything. Laundry baskets and a dowel rod make easy hurdles, an old rug can become a balance beam, and a pile of old clothes turns into a hilarious race. Add chalk for hopscotch, egg-and-spoon balancing, balloon popping, and whatever else is hiding in the garage to create an afternoon full of laughter and movement.
- Homemade playdough: Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour, ¾ cup salt. 4 teaspoons cream of tartar, 2 cups lukewarm water, 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil (coconut oil works too), plus food coloring for fun. Directions: Stir in flour, salt, and cream of tater into a large pot. Add water, oil, and coloring. Cook over medium, heat stirring constantly until it has thickened into a ball. Knead until smooth. PLUS this can be stored inside baggies for a few months.
- Rock painting with extra tip: Hide your painted rocks around the neighborhood or at a local park. It can brighten a stranger’s day and spread some surprise joy around town.
Tip: Save Amazon boxes for summer. A cardboard box can quickly become a spaceship, restaurant, doll house, or race car. Plus, hand your child some crayons and markers and suddenly their imagination does the rest.
Budget-Friendly Snack Ideas
A twist on everyday snacks can make them feel brand new to kids.
- Frozen grapes with pro tip: Toss them in water and jello mix and you have a healthy version of a sour patch kid.
- Frozen yogurt bark: Spread yogurt on a tray, top with fruit/chocolate chips/granola, freeze, and break into pieces.
- Banana sushi: Spread peanut butter on a banana, roll in cereal or granola, and slice into little rounds or you can spread peanut butter on a tortilla shell and place a banana in the center, add chocolate chips, sprinkles, or other treats and roll it up like a burrito then cut into pieces.
- Popcorn trail mix: Mix popcorn with pretzels, mini marshmallows, cereal, or chocolate candies.
- Popsicles made from juices; one of our favorites is pink lemonade.
- Apple nachos: Thin apple slices topped with peanut butter, top with granola, and chocolate chips.
- Fruit kabobs: Fruit just tastes more exciting on a stick, but don’t stab your sibling with it.
- DIY snack necklaces: String pretzels, cereal, and gummies onto yarn/licorice laces.
- Pizza crackers: Ritz Crackers + pizza sauce + shredded cheese microwaved for a few seconds.
- Watermelon fries: Cut watermelon into fry-shaped sticks and serve with yogurt dip.
- Pancake fries: Cut pancakes cut into strips with and either dip in syrup or yogurt.
Free Ways to Make Summer Feel Special
Not every summer memory has to come from a big outing or expensive activity. Some of the most memorable summer moments can cost almost nothing
- Watching fireflies
- Evening walks
- Reading outside
- Picnics
- Family game nights
- Take a drive with the windows down singing their favorite songs
- Stay up late one night for stargazing
- Sleepover in the living room
- Playing in the rain
- Making forts in the living room
It’s okay to keep it simple! Not every day has to be magical, some days survival is enough. My son still talks about our weekly library trips from last summer, an activity that cost me nothing. There’s a lot of pressure on parents to create a picture-perfect summer with bucket lists and vacations, but a simple summer might be the one everyone remembers most.
