If you want a summer packed with exciting adventures but don’t want to sacrifice a season of saving, you aren’t alone. Take our quiz to discover your ideal summer activity, then find out how to have an unforgettable summer without overspending.
Read more: See how Ally Bank’s buckets and boosters tools can make saving for summer easy.
Which type of budget-friendly summer activity is right for you?
From outdoor adventures to cultural and educational activities, our quiz can help you decide which summer activity is best for you and your budget.
Outdoor adventures
Spend time outside this summer with these budget-friendly ways to stay cool and active.
Hiking and biking
Get your endorphins going by organizing a hike or bike ride with friends. Pick a scenic local or national park trail, grab a water bottle (and helmet if you’re biking) and enjoy the great outdoors.
Water fun
Taking a dip in the neighborhood swimming pool, a nearby lake or the ocean on a hot day is a summer staple, and often free. If you don’t have access to a body of water, hosting a water balloon fight in your backyard or buying a kiddie pool can also do the trick.
Backyard movie night
All you need is a small projector, a Bluetooth speaker and a plain white sheet to act as the screen. Invite neighbors and friends, grab some blankets, popcorn and bug spray, and settle in. (String lights optional but highly recommended.)
Discover your green thumb
Whether it’s flowers, succulents or tomatoes, summer is the perfect time to work on your gardening skills — and you don’t need a yard to do it. Community gardens are a wonderful way to meet others in your area, share practical gardening knowledge and grow your own produce.
Host a field day
Croquet, horseshoes, relay races, badminton, kickball and more — the options are endless. Gather neighborhood friends and family for some light-hearted competition and cap off the event with a potluck or BBQ.
Creative DIY projects
Get in touch with your artsy side this summer with these do-it-yourself projects.
Crafting
You can find a ton of ways to be innovative at home, including making homemade ice cream, DIY playdough with kids or drawing with sidewalk chalk. Make the day even more budget-friendly by transforming materials you already have into a new piece of art.
Tip: Check out your local shops and businesses for themed craft nights.
Scavenger hunts
Organize a scavenger hunt with family and friends and spend an afternoon searching your neighborhood or local park. Make a themed list (like nature exploration or historical landmarks) and see who can find them all first.
Cultural and educational activities
Keep your brain sharp during the summer months with cultural and educational activities.
Visit local attractions
Keep an eye on event calendars for any free entry days at museums, zoos and botanical gardens, as well as local parades and art fairs. A lot of towns also organize farmers markets in the summer, so stop by and grab some fresh produce, beautiful flowers or artisan goods.
Stargazing
It doesn’t get much more budget-friendly than simply looking up into the night sky, you may even get lucky and see a shooting star. Find a clear spot away from city lights and use apps to identify constellations and learn about astronomy.
Visit your local library
It’s usually free to register for a library card, and libraries are a great place to enjoy internet access, books and activities. Some libraries even have puzzles, telescopes and camping gear you can check out, so your fun isn’t confined to the building itself.
Tip: Ask if your local library has membership passes to local museums.
Community and family fun
Get together with family, friends and neighbors and enjoy some fun in the sun.
Community events
Local governments, community organizations and volunteer groups often plan a packed summer calendar of activities. Attend a free concert or festival in your area, find an adult sports league or attend an outdoor yoga class. Sign up with friends or use it as an opportunity to meet new people.
Picnics and cookouts
Pack a basket, grab a frisbee and enjoy your feast in a local park or your backyard. Bonus points: Plan a BYOB, potluck-style barbecue with a group of friends.
Boredom busters
While any of the activities above can help beat boredom, preparing a summer bucket list of fun and creative activities can keep it at bay this summer. Hide a time capsule, take a tech-free day or challenge yourself to stick with a 30-day fitness routine.
Skip the spending, not the fun
Use the features and tools in Ally Bank’s Savings Account to set aside funds for summer fun, and you’ll find some of the best ways to make the most of these long, hot days.
