This is certainly a different type of Summer than any of us have ever experienced. For many people, the images of Summer fun in their mind include crowded theme parks, packed out beaches, enjoying blockbuster movies, and eating out. While many of these more expensive and traditional summer activities may not be in the cards for us in 2020, it’s still possible to have Summer fun while practicing social distancing and without spending a lot of money.
6 Cheap Summer Activities Social Distancing Style
Take a Virtual Trip
Traditional travel while practicing social distancing may be difficult, but there are still plenty of ways to see the world through virtual travel or tours. Using the internet, you can experience far-flung destinations such as a digital tour of one of the most famous international museums, the Louvre. You can visit Europe’s famous castles, or you can even take a virtual train ride to visit Italy, Norway, Japan and more! The options for a virtual trip are extensive with a little bit of online research. We’re not going to pretend that it’s as good as a real trip oversees, but it’s a LOT less expensive and it’s an enjoyable way to pass the time.
Plan a Picnic
A relaxing picnic outside is a perfect social-distancing friendly way to have fun this summer. Many parks and beaches have re-opened and you can enjoy some time away with your family while staying safe and saving money. It may be old-fashioned, but there’s nothing to ease the stress like a meal outside on a warm summer afternoon.
Visit a Lake
Traditional images of summer might be at the ocean, but lakes offer much of the same fun activities without the cost of a beach trip. Lakes are great for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and whatever water activities interest you. Another plus is lakes are often much less crowded than the ocean, which is a wise idea for social distancing. Find the closest lake and make a fun day of it!
Start a Garden
Make the most of your time at home -- why not start a garden? Summer is a great time for growing fresh vegetables and other plants. The experience of watching a small seed turn into a huge plant can amaze children and give adults a sense of pride. You can also save a ton of money by growing vegetables, and they’ll taste better too!
Explore Your Neighborhood or City
Recruit someone in your family to close their eyes and point to a spot on a local map. Wherever the spot that the finger lands is the canvas for your next adventure. You may find a hidden gem in the backroads or alleys of your city, or you may end up on a dead-end road in the country, but that’s part of the fun! Just have a plan ready as a backup if you need it, and you’re good to go. You’re bound to make some fun memories with your family on this adventure.
Host World Cuisine Adventures
Pick a country from around the world each week and do some research about the local cuisines and customs. Now you have the perfect backdrop for a fun family dinner! Take turns building a menu and hosting an adventurous meal for your family complete with some hand-made decore to complete the adventure.
Who knows, with a little bit of creativity you may convince your family to replace your more expensive summer traditions of the past for some new traditions that you can enjoy even when social-distancing is a thing of the past!
If you are experiencing financial difficulty and are looking for a solution, CESI is here to help. Our counselors are available to assist if you are experiencing job loss, temporary loss of income or financial hardship during this time. Contact us today for a free financial assessment with one of our certified credit counselors.
