We all know that you don’t have to spend lots of money to have fun together but every now and again we all need a quick reminder of some of the fun things we can do for free! This is the last in my series of Summer Holiday reminders of fun activities that won’t cost you a penny and it’s a good one (I can say that without being big headed as I didn’t write it)….
Many thanks to Cass for welcoming me over to her blog. I usually write at Me and My Shadow where I share my thrifty finds, recipes and money saving ideas – do pop over and take a look.
Here are my top five ideas for free fun this summer:
Gruffalo Hunt
This is a perfect activity for younger children. The Forestry Commission have teamed up with the popular story book to celebrate it’s 15th anniversary. Here’s the trail at my local forest but there are 28 Gruffalo Trails in forests around the country, and some have their own ‘life sized’ statues too. It’s completely free to take part, although you may have to pay for parking. Check out the full details here. The trails are on until October, and then will change to the more wintery Gruffalo’s Child themed hunts.
Local History Hunt
If you’re more urban than rural, why not have a go at making your own local history tour? Photocopy pictures from books in the reference library, or google image search, grab a clipboard and go explore your local town or village to see how much it’s changed.
Splash at your local play fountain
Hours of free fun can be had in splash parks and municipal fountains. My favourite in London are at Granary Square in Kings Cross where they have loads of deckchairs, live music and street food, and also at the impressive backdrop of Somerset House. You can find more London play fountains here and many large towns and cities now have their own too. Take a towel and a change of clothes!
Go blackberrying
The blackberries have ripened early this year so grab some old ice cream tubs and harvest a bumper crop. Wear long sleeves and trousers to protect from prickles and nettles, and seek out the juiciest berries in hedges, car parks, roadsides, and parks. Challenge each other to see who can pick the most and weigh them when you get home. Not sure what to do with your foraged crop? I’ve got 10 ideas over on my blog for recipes, drinks and even dyeing fabric.
Make some natural art
This is one of our favourite free summer activities. Make your own watercolour paints from bright flower petals and not only will you have a lovely few hours in the fresh air collecting them, you’ll get to make your own free paint AND while away the afternoon creating Monet-inspired masterpieces.
Discover more from The Diary of a Frugal Family
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
cool.
have a nice post.
great work keep it up i like it.
Awesome Ideas and I love those flower water colors and most interesting things about this post is these are free things by which we can really enjoy summer time.
We have found it so hard thanks to the holidays as everything costs a fortune when you have 6 kids x some great ideas will give them a try over the coming weekends x
Great ideas. We will be going blackberry picking this week and making some blackberry and lavender jelly that will see us over the winter. Super easy and can be done in the microwave too. Glad you are having a fun and adventurous summer x
I love the flower watercolours. So pretty and such a great idea! x
I'm still in love with those flower watercolours. Such a beautiful idea. Nothing beats some water fun though 😉
Great list – we have been really embracing the Gruffalo here.
Summer is almost finished but still can do some of the activities you mention! Woop wool!
Some fantastic ideas here. And this month's Simple Things magazine has just given me some more brilliant ones too – all excited about planning lots of free things to do for the rest of the summer.
Oh I adore these ideas and love the pic of Lizzie's daughter in the fountain