Summer is coming, and I’ve been racking my brain to come up new ideas for my family to try during the summer. And yes, I want these ideas to be as inexpensive as possible! For those who follow Dave Ramsey, we have been trying our best to continue with his financial plan with a few tweaks after making a lot of cuts to get out of consumer/student loan debt. (Hello, Baby Step 6)!

Family togetherness is huge to me. As our kids get older, this isn’t always possible unfortunately. But when we are together, I hope that we can make good memories. Our children are a heritage from the LORD, and I’m so thankful for His precious gifts. And surprise, surprise, I’ve learned that we do not actually have to spend a lot of money to have fun! Our goal is to try out at least one or two new activities per week throughout the summer.

Some fun summer ideas include:

• Visit the local park.
• Visit the local wildlife refuge.
• Spend the day at the beach.
• Take a nature walk.
• Collect flowers.
• Roast marshmallows.
• Family movie night!
• Make a craft.
• Visit the library.
• Kiddie pool and sprinkler time.
• Buy a museum family membership and visit often.
• Watch the stars.
• Grow a garden.
• Create a family art exhibit.
• Donate extras to a family in need.
• Make cards to send to children in the hospital.
• Attend the local story time.
• Play and organized sport.
• Take photos together.
• Organize a “safari” with your stuffed animals.
• Create a nature journal.
• Have a yard sale where the kids keep their own profits.
• Play horseshoes.
• Family game night.
• Take a bike ride.
• Check out free community events.
• Visit a local festival.
• Family carnival night.
• Have a water balloon fight.
• Blow bubbles.
• Sidewalk art.
• Collect items for a family nature table.
• Help a neighbor in need.
• Check out local state parks.
• Bird watch.
• Make bird feeders.
• Make tie die shirts.
• Make a butterfly garden.
• Make cupcakes.
• Make ice cream sundaes.
• Luau party!
• Visit a local farm.
• Draw names and do something special for that person.
• Fireworks and sparklers.
• Try a new recipe.
• Have a cook out.

Most of these ideas are pretty common sense, and remember that there are many ways to think out of the box when it comes to your individual family. It really is a blessing to teach our children to put electronics aside and to spend time together as a family.

On one last note, I wanted to quickly share that Mary & Martha is having a 70% Flash Sale on their bags going on right now! My daughter personally owns the Glories & Grace Crossbody and she LOVES it. It is wonderful to carry God’s Word with us wherever we go. The sale can be accessed here.

Blessings!