20 Frugal Ideas To Stay Cool This Summer!

It has been a hot and sweaty summer in much of the country this summer. The good news is that there are many different things that you can do to cool off without spending a bunch of money in the process. Here are some of our favorite frugal ideas:

1. Have a water balloon fight. Water balloons can not only make for a fun time for kids, but adults too! Get outside and enjoy some sunshine and exercise while still staying cool in the process. Water balloons can be found at many stores for under $2! Amazon also has a 200 pack for $6.99. Don’t forget to also pick up a nozzle to fill the balloons.

2.  Make water balloon yo-yos.  This goes hand-in-hand with the water balloon fight.  If you have some extra balloons left over, try making some water balloon yo-yos.

3. Free bowling for kids.  Beat the heat by heading in doors to your local air conditioned bowling lanes.  Kids can get 2 games of free bowling every day all summer long through many AMF Lanes.  Adults can get highly discounted passes as well.

4. Indoor ice skating.  What could be more fun that ice skating when temperatures are soaring outside!  Check out your local ice arena for discounted admission and special free skate days.

5. Go to the Movies.   Regal Cinemas is offering $1 Movies, on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings all summer long.  Harkins also has a similar program, where movies are less than $1 each in advance, or $2 at the box office.  If you do not have a local theater that is participating, you might consider taking in a matinee as they are considerably cheaper than the nightly showings.

6. Check out a Local Museum.  Many museums have special discount days, and some even have free days.  If you live in the Denver area you might want to check out this list of free days at our local museums!

7. Make homemade ice cream.  This could involve the need for an ice cream maker, although I have to admit that my favorite way to make homemade ice cream is with an ice cream ball!  You can sometimes purchase these for less than $20.  Amazon has one for just $19.99.  Also, check out how you can make ice cream without an ice cream maker or even an ice cream ball.

8. Ice cube water color art.  This is so much fun for the kids!  All you need is an inexpensive paint-with-water book (you can sometimes find these at the dollar store) and an ice cube.  No need for a brush or a glass of water.  As the ice cube begins to melt the colors should magically appear on the paper.

9. Eat frozen fruit.   Frozen fruit can make for a great healthy alternative to ice cream or popsicles.  We have been seeing some great deals on fresh fruit lately, so pop some in the freezer and enjoy!

10. Head to the pool.  Many local swimming pools offer weekly discount days or summer passes.   In the Denver Area, check out Foothills Parks & Rec for $2 Pool Parties.

11. Summer Reading Programs.  Head to the comfort of your air-conditioned library and curl up with a good book.  Most offer free summer reading programs for the kids as well!

12. Make homemade popsicles.  You can purchase one of these handy popsicle molds, but all you really need is an ice cube tray.  We sometimes get juice for under a $1, which can make for some very inexpensive summer treats!

13. Wash the car.  For all the parents out there, this is a win-win!  You get a clean car and you and your kids get to cool off.  All you need is a garden hose, a bucket, and a sponge.

14. Play Water Limbo.  Instead of using a stick or a broom handle.  You play limbo using a stream of water from your garden hose.  The kids will obviously have a big advantage, but parents will definitely get cooled off in the process (unless you’re super flexible that is!).

15. Ice Blocking.  This really is a ton of fun for kids and adults alike.  For those of us that live in Colorado, we have some serious sledding hills around!  Just freeze a block of ice (or purchase one of those big ones), take it to a nearby hill and have fun.

16. Head to the local mall.  Many shopping centers have kids play areas, where the kids can play for free and the parents can hang out in the air-conditioning.

17. Marco Polo, Squirt Gun Style.  This is a fun twist on the old-fashioned Marco Polo pool game, except it is played without a pool!  This can be played in your back yard, and only requires a squirt gun.  The person who is the searcher either closes their eyes, or is blindfolded.  They are then armed with a squirt gun, which they squirt when they yell out “Marco” and the other players yell out “Polo”.  As soon as someone is hit with the water they become the searcher.

18. Go out for a frozen treat.  This is not always the most “frugal” of ideas.  However, if you are able to get in on one of the many deals we have been seeing at Baskin Robbins, McDonald’s, and Sonic lately, it can make for a pretty inexpensive cool treat!

19. Splash Pads Anyone?   Take the kids to your local splash pad.  Many neighborhoods and communities have these now.  They are tons of fun, and totally FREE!  If you live in Denver, here is a list of local options.

20. No Cook Dinner.  So for some of us this might be the norm, but for all the gourmet chefs out there this might be something different!  How about serving a “cold” meal?  Perhaps it is sandwiches, salads, or fruit?  Whatever suits your fancy, and doesn’t require turning on the oven. 🙂

What other ideas do you have to stay cool this summer?