In many areas of the country, the weather is beginning to warm up. The temperatures are nice, but not stifling, and it’s the perfect time for getting outdoors.
Yesterday I told you that we had a few kids over to spend the night. That turned into a neighborhood kid block party later in the day, as the two boys across the street also came over, and then we were joined by three kids from the next street down. 10 kids total, and I was reminded of what frugal fun just going outside is.
If you’re looking for some frugal outdoors activities, here are a few that come to mind.
- Camp out in a tent in the back yard.
- Read to your children under a tree.
- Take a nature walk around the neighborhood. See how many different kinds of flowers, bugs, and animals you can find.
- Play an old fashioned game of Hide ‘n’ Go Seek.
- Go to the park.
- Ride bikes, scooters, or roller skate.
- If it’s hot enough, turn on the sprinklers and let the kids run through them.
And for the adults:
- Sit out on the deck with a good cup of coffee or a glass of wine and just talk to your spouse. It’s like a mini-date after the kids are in bed. Just make sure you break out the citronella candles! I’m paying for my mini-date with mosquito bites up and down my legs.
What are your favorite things to do when the weather warms up?
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Photo by Nicholas_T.
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We push the kids outdoors every weekend– computer and TV time is limited on weekends.
As for sitting out– we use Tiki torches, candles, and a salvaged chimnea . . . mix in beer, wine, and gin and tonics.
DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad.com’s last blog post..Noteworthy Blog Posts of the Week (#19)
We like to go on picnics, either at the park or in our own backyard. The kids really get a kick out of the backyard picnic.
Amanda @ Mommy’s Idea Book’s last blog post..Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
We enjoy barbecues when it’s warm (hot!) outside. Not only does it keep the house cooler when we don’t use the stove or oven, it’s a great chance to spend time with each other or socialize with our neighbors. We usually share by each contributing a dish, so it’s frugal also. If you spend time outside on sunny (or overcast) days, be sure to use sunscreen to help avoid sunburn. If you do get sunburned, white vinegar in your bath water will help remove the sting.
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Since we live in California, I admit we’re a little spoiled since its warm for much of the year. But I enjoy being outdoors more than anything. In the spirit of this blog, I’ll list what we do in order to enjoy the outdoors and do so cheaply.
We made a backyard BBQ/patio area. All of the paving bricks were free. A house down the street was getting a new chimney and all the old bricks were being thrown out. So we got them. All of the plants in the yard including those around the BBQ are were also free. They were plants being given away on craigslist. They are native plants and need no watering. All of the chairs were free as well. They were on the curb. The table was in the trash too. It had been in a coffee house and when they remodeled, they threw it out. I re-painted it.
The grill itself is made out of scrap metal. The grill part is made out of a discarded riding mower deck. Its a 40″ round pan. The legs are made out of pieces of steel bed rail that I chopped to size and welded to the sides. The grill surface is out of an older discarded grill.
As far as camping, our landlord gave us his old camper top. It “lives” under the porch and when we go camping, we throw it on the back of the truck and put in an old futon mattress. We just get in and go. No need to setup a tent.
National and state parks are often still a super-deal. We usually pay no more than $15 a night to camp. Try staying in a hotel that cheap. If you have kids- take them. It gives them a better appreciation of the outdoors and gets them away from TV and video games.
Last summer my kids (ages 4 and 2) made it our goal to visit every park in our town that has a playground. We got a list in a publication from the local Chamber of Commerce and started checking them off as we went. There are about 20 parks with playgrounds in our town, not to mention three public elementary schools. We made it to 15 playgrounds (sometimes with friends, sometimes by ourselves) and we had a blast! Free, and great exercise for everyone!
Went fishing from the bank this weekend – perch are running :)
Had perch for dinner Sunday and Monday both :)
Went clam digging also – 4 mornings in a row :)
Trips to the woods firewood cutting with a picnic lunch on the tailgate afterwards.
Just being on a blanket in the sun with a good book and a mug of wine is good!
Evenings the smoke from the chimnea or outdoor firepit seems to keep the bugs at bay here.
Local parks with the kids. School playgrounds when school is out.
Trips to the rivers and hikes in the woods.
Bike riding and long walks.
Playing ball in the tall grass/pasture. (Watch out for the cow pies here in Moo-town)
Soaking up that sun that is so rare here!
ENJOYING EVERY MINUTE OF SUNSHINE!
PS – Freddies had 8×10 tents with sleeping bags, pillows, and bunch of other stuff on sale this week – all in a nice carry bag. Bought one for me and one for my daughter and the grandkids. We’re ready for camping soon!