Summer can be a struggle at times, the kids are home from school and you’ve got to keep them active and entertained until September. Summer can also be an expensive season with family days out and vacations to fork out for. Well here are some super fun and inexpensive activities that the whole family can enjoy.

Nothing like a backyard barbeque

The classic summer activity that never gets old is a good old-fashioned barbeque. It’s the perfect chance to socialize with neighbors, eat good food, and get the kids playing outside. You can ask guests to bring side dishes and drinks to help keep costs down and all you need for entertainment is some music and any games you already have at home. You can easily host a barbeque every weekend, or take it in turns to host around the neighborhood.

The only real expense is whatever you want to spend on a good quality grill or backyard griddle and for the use you’ll get out of it, an inexpensive Blackstone griddle is more than worth the money. But if you’re willing to splash out a little more to make your barbeque the best, be sure you get the best accessories for your Blackstone griddle. You can get the kids involved with the cooking; teach them all your favorite barbeque side dishes. Make your own lemonade to serve to your guests or set up a lemonade stand to share with your neighbors.

Get creative!

The best way to keep your kids entertained is to get them outside exercising. You can set up your own obstacle course in the back yard using pretty much anything you can get your hands on; homemade hurdles from a broom handle and a couple of stools, a tunnel made from your dining room chairs, a relay race where you have to empty a bucket of water at one end of the garden and fill it up another at the other end. There’s no limit if you use your imagination and even get the kids involved with their own ideas.

It can even be as simple as taking the toys outside. Your children can have free reign of the whole yard; a new world in which to set up their legos or their dollhouses, a winding race car course, or even just somewhere different to sit and play their handheld video games!

Or take advantage of sunny days to do some fun arts and crafts projects in your backyard. You can make tie-dye shirts, colorful slime, or finger painting projects. Buy a bunch of beads and gemstones of different colors, shapes, and sizes, and make handmade accessories that the kids can wear themselves or give to their friends. Then you can prepare some snacks and drinks and have a picnic in your backyard!

Backyard camping

Camping is a great way to make the most of the summer sunshine, but you don’t need to travel far and pay for use of a camping site, you can get all the excitement and adventure in your own backyard. If the low cost isn’t enough to convince you then maybe the bathroom situation will be the winner – no more shared campground toilets. And if you don’t have a yard or if the weather takes a turn, you can just camp out in your own living room! Stovetop smores are a real treat and are far easier than having to make your own fire.