13 Budget-friendly ideas for family fun this summer and beyond

Here are some budget-friendly summer activities for families that can be enjoyed during the long summer days and evenings. These ideas are suitable for a Catholic audience but are not overtly religious in nature: By choosing activities that focus on spending quality time together and appreciating the simple joys of summer, families can create lasting memories without a large expense.

Sometimes the simplest ideas give us the greatest pleasure. Therefore, why not pack a picnic with homemade sandwiches, fruits, and snacks. Bring along a blanket and find a nice spot in a local park to enjoy the evening breeze and a relaxing meal together. You can play classic picnic games like frisbee or badminton afterward. If you're able to stay as the sun sets you can enjoy the changing colors in the sky, too, and maybe get a few snaps.

Take the time to explore your local area. If you're near the countryside then you could venture out on to local trails and nature reserves. Many parks offer free entry and provide a chance to enjoy the beauty of nature. Look for trails that are family-friendly and take breaks to admire the scenery, watch birds, or have a small snack.

If you're a city dweller then you could go and investigate the hidden gems in your neighborhood and beyond. En route you might get to discover some beautiful churches and monuments, too.

If you have a backyard then set up a movie night in your backyard. You can use a projector and a white sheet or a portable screen. Pop some popcorn, bring out some blankets and pillows, and enjoy a favorite family movie under the night sky.

However, if you're in an urban environment you might be able to see an outdoor film arranged in local parks that are often free.

This is a great idea for the foodies among us. Take the kids and spend a morning or evening at a local farmers' market. It's a great way to support local farmers, and you can find fresh produce for your meals. Many markets also have live music, crafts, and food stalls to enjoy, and often farmers are happy to share the production process of their goods.

For the crafty readers out there get creative and gather up some crafting supplies and spend an evening making DIY projects. You can create personalized bookmarks, paint rocks for the garden, or make friendship bracelets. This is a great way to encourage creativity and spend quality time together, and if you're lucky you might get a beautiful hand-crafted item at the end!

If you are blessed to live near a beach, then plan a day trip without any distractions. Bring along beach toys, sunscreen, a cooler with snacks and drinks, and enjoy swimming, building sandcastles, and collecting seashells. If there’s a beach with a boardwalk, evening walks can be particularly enjoyable.

A fun to experience the outdoors without leaving home is to set up a tent in the backyard and have a camping night. You can tell stories, roast marshmallows, and enjoy the night sounds of nature. This is a great compromise for those whose kids may be too anxious for a full camp out, or for people who enjoy a few creature comforts. If you are an urbanite, then you can set up a couple of "blanket" tents in your living room and give your kids flashlights -- they'll have a blast!

Normally the summer months are a time for plenty of local community events such as outdoor concerts, fairs, or festivals. These events often have free entry and provide entertainment for all ages, from live music to craft booths and food trucks. An added bonus can be bumping into friends and neighbors while you're out and about.

You could also spend an evening star gazing. Lay out blankets in the backyard or visit a nearby open space away from city lights. Use a star map or an app to identify constellations and planets. This can be both educational and awe-inspiring, allowing you all to consider the beauty in God's creation.

If you have a garden then spend time together tending to it, or create a project that you'd like to do as a family -- creating a fairy garden is an adorable activity for little ones. Gardening can also be really therapeutic, as well as rewarding, and children will enjoy planting seeds, watering plants, and watching their garden grow.

For those who appreciate reading, or would like to encourage their kids to read more -- not always the easiest of tasks! -- then visit your local library for story time sessions, summer reading programs, or to borrow books and movies. Libraries often host free events and workshops for children and families during the summer.

Host a family game night with board games, card games, or outdoor games like bocce ball or cornhole. It's a great way to bond and enjoy each other’s company without the need for screens or technology. You can also invite neighbors or family friends over to bring a little more competitive spirit to the evening.

This final activity involves giving back, and is possibly one of the most rewarding. Find a local charity or organization that could use some help and spend some time volunteering as a family. Whether it’s helping at a food bank, cleaning up a park, or visiting a nursing home, volunteering can be a meaningful and fulfilling way to spend time together.