Summertime is here, and with it comes a variety of things to do outdoors on a warm and beautiful day. Too often, though, our minds are attracted to the options that come with a hefty price tag. Lavish vacations. Decadent weekend getaways. Popular tourist attractions. Pricey summer camps.
The thing that’s often overlooked is that many of the best perks of summer cost nothing at all. Filling your summer days with these 16 small pleasures will create a wonderful summer without putting a big dent in your pocketbook.
Go on a walk or short hike in a nearby state park. Many state parks are free and have many trails designed to show off nature’s beauty at varying difficulties to accommodate all fitness levels.
Pick some flowers. Fill a vase with wildflowers that you picked while walking. The fresh blooms can add wonderful fragrance to your home and provide a beautiful decoration.
Go to a public beach. Public beaches are often free and provide access to rivers, lakes and oceans while giving you a great opportunity to relax, nap or play beach sports.
[See: 12 Frugal Ways to Save on Vacation.]
Play soccer at the park with some friends. All you need to start this inexpensive summer fitness activity is one ball among your group of friends. Go to a park and pick out natural goals and boundaries. Better yet, find a public field to play on.
Go to a free concert. Many communities and organizations offer free public concerts during the summer. Check out the community calendar for your town or for neighboring towns and see what’s playing, then head out there with a blanket to sit on and enjoy the free music.
Take a ton of digital photographs and share the best ones. Find beautiful things in your life and take lots of photographs of them, then go through them selectively and share the best ones with family members and friends.
Go to a community festival. Many communities hold a summer festival with many free activities and concerts and even free foods and other treats. See when your community — or a neighboring town — has a festival and make sure to attend.
Help someone in need with a project. Many people in your life and throughout your community can use a helping hand. If you know an elderly person or a person with a disability, simply ask them if they need any help with any projects and then spend some time helping them get things done. You’ll be amazed at how good you feel afterwards.
Go stargazing. Go to a spot far away from artificial light and gaze upward at nature’s majesty on a clear night.
Watch the sunrise or the sunset. The colors that fill the sky during sunrise and sunset can be utterly breathtaking. Look for slightly cloudy days or for opportunities to take in the sunrise over a beautiful skyline or across the water.
[See: 12 Habits of Phenomenally Frugal Families.]
Go on a brewery tour. Many breweries offer free tours that explain the art of beer-making. Many tours end with some free samples of the product. See what kinds of tours local brewers offer.
Run (or walk) barefoot through soft grass. The simple act of taking off your shoes and walking or running across a field of soft grass can feel absolutely wonderful. It’s one of those little miracles of summer that can just make your day better.
Go people-watching in a public place. People are always out and about in the summer months. Find a nice bench in a park somewhere and simply watch the people go by.
Go swimming in a lake. Many lakes offer free access to swimming areas. Simply toss on a bathing suit and dive in for a cool summer swim.
Skip rocks across the surface of that lake. When you’re not swimming, you’ll likely find an area or two with many rocks around. Spend some time there skipping rocks across the water’s surface.
[See: 10 Foolproof Ways to Reach Your Money Goals.]
Go on a walking tour. Almost anywhere you are, there’s an opportunity for a walking tour. Simply walk through downtown, or through the historical district of your town, and see what’s already on offer there. Do the same in nearby towns. Who knows what you might find?
There are countless free and extremely low cost things to do around you. Take advantage of them and fill your life with activities that don’t drain your pocketbook. You’ll soon find yourself building an amazing life with financial security to boot.
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16 Free Activities to Enjoy This Summer originally appeared on usnews.com
