Summer is right around the corner and I’m excited to share some fantastic, budget-friendly summer activities for kids and families to enjoy. As a parent, I understand raising children can be costly. While I enjoy taking my daughters on fun outings, I also want to keep them entertained without breaking the bank. In this month's blog I’ll be sharing some budget-friendly options your family can enjoy this summer.
The 2024 Kids Bowl Free Program
I highly recommend checking out the 2024 Kids Bowl Free Program. When you sign up, your child can enjoy two free games of bowling every day at a nearby participating bowling center, all summer long! It’s a great way for families to bond, have fun, and save money. With over 1,500 bowling centers participating, you can easily find your nearest lanes by following the link in the button.
*Note: Some centers have age limits on this promotion, so be sure to read the full details of your participating location when signing up.
Summer Reading Programs
During the summer, local libraries offer a variety of engaging reading programs, providing an excellent escape from the summer heat! These educational summer programs are typically free and serve as a wonderful incentive for kids to continue reading throughout the summer. Participants normally receive rewards for their reading achievements, such as free ice cream, books, and more, depending on your library’s offerings. Check out what your local library is doing and get your kids involved!
Additionally, Barnes & Noble hosts a Summer Reading Program where children can earn free books, and there is no cost to register! Simply download their Summer Reading Journal on their website or pick up a paper copy from the children’s section of a Barnes & Nobel bookstore. Encourage your child to keep track of their reading progress in a journal, and once complete, they can redeem it for a free book of their choice.
Movie Theaters
Many movie theaters provide kid-friendly summer specials, offering a great way to beat the heat and spend quality time with your kids without the financial burden.
For example, our neighborhood cinema offers free family movies every Saturday at 10 a.m. during the summer. Taking my daughters to watch these movies and indulging in a large bucket of popcorn has been a highlight for us. We usually enjoy the movie theater snacks to their fullest! Some theaters even offer discounted snack options, allowing you to support the local theater while enjoying this inexpensive activity with your kids.
Local theaters offering kid-friendly summer savings include: Regal Cinemas, Fandango, AMC, Marcus Cinema, and many more!
Memberships To Local Attractions
When you have a large family, the costs of visiting local attractions can add up quickly. However, many places, such as children’s museums, zoos, or botanical gardens, offer annual memberships, providing families with unlimited visits. Personally, I find memberships such as the children’s museum to be valuable. This activity is enjoyable for my daughters on those rainy days in the summer, and packed with endless play.
By investing in these memberships, you can enjoy frequent visits throughout the summer without worrying about individual admission costs. The initial cost of the membership pays off as you take advantage of the unlimited access. Check out the websites of these locations and research the annual membership options available, along with their perks. You may be pleasantly surprised how much you can save by frequently visiting these attractions once you have a membership. Try searching for summer activities or budget-friendly family activities in your city to see what options are available near you.
These are just a few activities to enjoy with your kids during summer break that have worked for my family. I’m certain there are many more options waiting to be discovered, depending on your local area.
Believe it or not, local libraries often compile lists of summer programs offered within their community. I encourage you to reach out to your local library and ask about local programs offered within your community this summer.
I hope you and your family have an incredible summer filled with fun memories to look back on! It’s been a pleasure sharing some of the activities my daughters and I enjoy together, and I’d love to hear about your experiences if you have the opportunity to try any of these programs this summer.
About Alex
Alex is one of our financial wellness advocates on our Wealth Management team. She is a mom of four, and her passion is sharing her own personal finance journey from living paycheck to paycheck and drowning in debt to finding financial peace. Alex's unique experience has given her the ability to help families take control of their own personal finances - all while still enjoying what life has to offer.
Contact: alex.miller@kerberrose.com