60 Fun Things to Do for Little or No Money

by Michelle

Picnic - nc

Looking for things to do on the weekend or vacation time that won’t set you back a lot of money?

You don’t need to be a millionaire or even slightly well-to-do to enjoy the finer things in life. Consider this list of…

60 Fun Things to Do for Little or No Money:

 

  1. Enjoy a concert in the park – Spring and summer begin free things to do in the park season. Concerts and movies are just the beginning.
  2. Go camping – Still one of the cheapest vacations one can take, especially through the US National Parks system.
  3. Go for a hike in the woods.
  4. Go for a swim – Many lakes and oceans are free for swimmers, others require a small fee. It’s still a good, affordable way to spend a day. Better yet, find yourself a good, old fashioned swimming hole.
  5. Go fishing.
  6. Have a picnic.
  7. Take the kids to the park.
  8. Visit a museum -There are lots of free museums and many others take a donation.
  9. Work on an arts and craft projects
  10. Play board games.
  11. Dig for fossils or gems. Find out where to dig in your area.
  12. Build sandcastles
  13. Have a barbecue.
  14. Run through your garden sprinkler.
  15. Play a pickup basketball or volleyball game in the park.
  16. Visit the library. Take out books, movies, music or take advantage of some of their great programs.
  17. Take a free online class.
  18. Find a fireworks display.
  19. Go canoeing or kayaking.
  20. Do some birdwatching.
  21. Make a kite and take it for a ride.
  22. Go for a bike ride.
  23. roller blade.
  24. Ride your scooter.
  25. Visit the zoo. Most zoos are affordable and if you get a summer zoo pass you can visit as often as you like for one price.
  26. Read
  27. Sell lemonade
  28. Watch a play at a local theater
  29. Visit a vineyard – some tours are free while others are affordable.
  30. Visit a street fair. Food is cheap, plus craft displays, flea market finds and entertainment abound.
  31. Tour a college campus
  32. Lounge on a hammock
  33. Adopt a pet – Actually adoption fees aren’t as cheap as they used to be but it’s well worth the cost.
  34. Tour a fire house or police station
  35. Bowling  – A night out for the family really doesn’t cost much, especially if you bring your own snacks.
  36. Tour a brewery
  37. Bake
  38. Make a chalk mural in your driveway.
  39. Tour a television or radio station
  40. Attend a tv show taping
  41. Shakespeare in the Park – If your area has it
  42. Make a birdhouse
  43. Stroll through a public garden
  44. Work on your own garden
  45. Visit the state or county fair.
  46. Join a book club at the library, Borders or Barnes & Noble
  47. Browse the flea markets.
  48. Find a drive in movie theater in your area.
  49. Take advantage of local cultural events.
  50. Visit a dairy farm.
  51. Visit historic battlefields.
  52. Take a day trip to Washington DC where most of the museums are free.
  53. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or another place that feeds meals to the homeless.
  54. Have a scavenger hunt.
  55. Teach yourself a new language using online tutorials and materials from the library.
  56. Start a scrapbook and fill it with items found outdoors.
  57. Jigsaw puzzles!
  58. Make a working volcano
  59. Have a campfire in your backyard, roast marshmallow and tell ghost stories.
  60. Clean out your house and have a garage sale.

Add to the list. What are some great things you can do with little or no money?

Image via newscom/PR newswire

{ 7 comments }

Xanderi

What about making love? shouldn’t that be number one?

Patricia Pfeiffer

Visit a nursing home–read to the residents or write letters for them, listen to their stories.

Katherine

It’s often the simplest things that are the most fun and most memorable. We just went to a local pond where there were a ton of people swimming. It only cost $5 per car to get in or we could have purchased a year long pass for $45.

Jeff

FYI — Washington DC is not a day-trip, even for those within driving distance. It is a worthwhile trip, but certainly not something that can be experienced within the timeframe of a day-trip. Take a long weekend to visit — you’ll need and appreciate it.

Kata

scavenger hunt with the kids.. it takes, really, only 5 minutes to make or set up! at the end of the search, put something like old toys/ old b-day favors… kids love it!

hellotulip

my girlfriend and i like to go to our local craft store and just walk around we always find projects to work on.

michelle

Walk your dog!
Have hot nasty sex with partner!
Have a cocktail!
Go dancing!