14 Creative Ways to Save Money This Summer

The kids are out of school, the weather is warmer, and most people are trying to soak up the summer before it ends. Everyone loves summertime, but nobody likes the cost of enjoying it. Here are 14 creative ways to save money and still give your family an unforgettable summer!

1. Skip day camps

Instead of paying for an organized day camp, get together with other parents in the neighborhood and create your own camp! Parents can take turns acting as a "counselor", or you can ask local high schoolers to help out!

Ask a high school soccer player to volunteer their time to teach the kids how to play soccer, or bring supplies for DIY crafts! There are endless indoor and outdoor activities that can be inexpensive.

2. Save money by creating free entertainment

Some towns or cities have free movie nights for kids, or you can make your own outdoor movie at home! All you need is a backyard, a thick sheet, something to hang the sheet, and a projector. Everyone can bring blankets, chairs, and snacks to enjoy while watching the movie! 

3. Skip amusement parks and find free parks instead

Not only are amusement park tickets expensive, but so is everything inside of the park. Instead of spending a ton of money on one day of fun, take your family to a local park with BBQ grills, a playground, and a walking trail!

To keep things interesting and fun, create scavenger hunts to see how many things you can find in the park! 

4. Host a neighborhood garage sale

With the kids out of school, this is the perfect time to put them to work! Hosting a garage sale not only helps you make a little extra cash but also declutters your house. With the extra money, you can surprise your kids with a fun day! 

5. Skip the car wash

Car washes may seem inexpensive in the moment, but the costs add up quickly! If you're getting a $15 car wash every week for a ten-week summer, that's $150! 

Instead, buy a bucket and car soap, have your kids put on their swimsuits, and wash the car together! It's fun for the kids, and it saves you money in the meantime.

6. Close the curtains

If the sun shines through your windows in the mornings, it's also heating your house, ultimately costing you more. By keeping your curtains closed in the early hours, you'll find that your house stays cooler and you save money on your electric bill!

7. Pause your gym membership

Find ways to exercise for free outside. Lots of places offer free outdoor yoga classes, or go to your local park to walk, run, or hike.

8. Hang your laundry outside

Hanging your laundry outside on a clothesline is one of the many ways to save money on your electric bill. It may save you a little bit of money at first, but if you line dry your clothes this week, the savings will eventually add up.

9. Take a local vacation

Everybody needs a little vacation occasionally. It is possible to take an inexpensive vacation by staying close to home. In Ohio, there's Hocking Hills where you can find inexpensive camping sites or cabins and spend some time outside!

10. Invest in water fun

Kiddie pools, sprinklers, squirt guns, and a hose are so much fun for kids in the summer. It gets them outside, it's inexpensive, and it helps keep them cooled down!

11. Turn off the cable and streaming services

This may not be a popular choice with your family, but with the nice weather, it's important to spend time outside. You can keep some channels for rainy days, but try to see how it feels to disconnect for a summer!

12. Vacation with friends and family

If you have friends or family members who live in another city, this is the perfect opportunity to visit! It saves you money on an Airbnb or hotel, and you get to spend time with loved ones. Make sure to treat them to dinner as a thank you!

13. Grow a garden

Growing a garden is a great way to teach your kids responsibility, spend quality time together, and save some money. Start off with herbs or a tomato plant, and watch it flourish!

14. Rediscover the library

Did you know your library has more than just books and movies? Many of them offer free entry to museums and zoos with a library card. There are also plenty of libraries that host different clubs or reading groups for your kids to join in the summer!

The summer months might seem like a nightmare when you work on a budget or have little money. You don't want to get deeper in debt, but you don't want to sit inside with the kids all summer. Use some of these ideas to have fun and save money!