Here are twenty things you can do with the family this summer, that will cost you less than twenty bucks, all in:
Hit up the Driving Range
The original $20 date, this is one where the family can share a couple of buckets of balls on the driving range, and spend an hour hitting them, or teaching the smallest family members about the right golf swing for under twenty bucks. Our favourite driving range? Victoria, because of the two levels and the feeling that the kids have hit the ball soooo far.
Discovery Canyon
Opening up mid-July, this one will cost you nothing but the lunch you can pack from the refrigerator and the pantry and about twenty bucks in gas money. Bring your own floaties with you from home and let the kids tube down the newly renovated river slides, in Red Deer. The new beach area is the perfect place for even the smallest of kids, as they can walk across the entire water area!
Ride the Streetcar
the Edmonton Radial Railway Society has the largest fleet of heritage streetcars in Western Canada and operates two heritage streetcar routes in the city of Edmonton, Alberta Canada. The fare to ride the streetcar is $20 for the family (maximum 2 adults) and can give you a new vantage point over the city. If it’s something you’ve never done before, you’ve got to give it a try.
Sand on Whyte
Admission is by donation for this must-see festival that brings the sculptures usually seen on the beach to one of the most popular locations in Edmonton. Save half of your family date budget and stop for slushies to cool off on the way home – it’s an easy, and cheap, way to explore one of the most awe-inspiring festivals for kids this summer in Edmonton.
Playground Tour
Playgrounds are free – and it just so happens they are one of our favourite places to spend the afternoon. It gets even better when you try a playground tour, and visit multiple playgrounds, in one morning or afternoon. Then, the kids can compare them all and choose their favourites. Not sure where to start exploring? Follow us on YouTube to get the latest in playground.
Soak in the Sun at Allan Beach
It’s $10 for adults, and $5 for children between 7-17 to visit Allan beach. Children under the age of seven are free, making this one a fun getaway for the day. You can pack a lunch, bring a bit of extra cash for the on-site store that serves up slushies and other treats, and wade the day away in the water, on the private beach.
Explore the Art Gallery of Alberta + Food Truck Fare
This one’s free – leaving room in the family night out budget to explore one of the local. Spend the twenty bucks at one of the local food trucks downtown, it’s going to be enough to get a taste of a few things, but you’re likely not going to get a meal for the family. Think of it as a snack, and head there after dinner on Tuesday or Wednesday to take advantage of the free admission.
Reynolds Alberta Train Museum
Where else can you explore an incredible collection of museum cars, for around twenty bucks? There’s so much to do at the museum that’s just an hour outside of town, it’s worth the trip. Plan for a weekend or go early during the week days and you’ll feel like you’ve got the entire place to yourself.
Picnic and the Spray Park
Head to your favourite pizza place and grab pizza and popsicles for a picnic at the spray park. It’s a fun way to get out and get wet, without breaking the bank.
Glow Sticks and Fountains
Go to the dollar store and load up on those glow sticks, bracelets and fun things to play with and wear. Stay up late, and head to the fountains above the legislature for a fun way to cool off at the end of the night. The colored fountains at dusk, and glow sticks, make for a fun way to spend the evening and the kids are always going to remember the time that you let them stay up late.
Movies on the Square
Every Tuesday night in August, you’ll find movies on the square. It’s such a fun way to catch some of the most popular outdoor movies of the season, and you’ll have enough left over in the twenty dollar family date budget for popcorn or treats to enjoy while you’re there. Don’t forget your blanket though, it can get a little cool when you’re watching the show after dark. The first movie is on August 8th – have fun!
$5 Laser Tag
During the entire summer, you can play $5 games of laser tag at Laser City. If you’ve never played before, it’s more fun than you think, as an adult – and at five bucks a game you can bring a kid and play a couple of games for only twenty bucks.
Hit up the Beach
There are plenty of free beaches and places to explore near Edmonton. Wabuman, Long island Lake beach, Ma Me O – pack a picnic, get up the sand toys and head to the beach for the day if you’re searching for a bit of free fun with the kids. Don’t forget the sunscreen and the cooler full of cool drinks, but if you pack those you will be set for the day.
Family Nature Nights
Bring the kids to one of the many family nature nights to learn a bit more about the area that we live, and the creatures that live with us. There’s a new theme every night, and the nature nights are free for families to pre-register for at the event. As a bonus, the nature nights are held at different parks around the city, so you get the chance to explore somewhere new.
Get Ice Cream
Stop by 80 Flavours and grab an ice cream cone. A single scoop is only four bucks, and you can make it a double for six bucks, or add a waffle cone for an extra dollar. For a family of four, you can easily get everyone ice cream for twenty bucks, and hang out at the picnic tables or play at one of the local playgrounds.
Tubing at Pembina River
Grab a couple of tubes, and some friends, and you can experience tubing at the Pembina River, without the expensive cost. Have one friend park at the day use area at the end of the tubing course (the day use beach) and one friend park at Pembina River Tubing and you won’t have to pay for the shuttle when you’ve finished tubing. Bring your own tubes and you won’t need to worry about the costs for renting a tube, as well.
Pop up Adventure Playground
Skip the costs of indoor playgrounds and head out to the pop up adventure playdate in August. The kids will love playing with the found objects, inspired by the popular documentary, the Land. We are very excited for this event, as we love playing with found things like tires and pallets, in our own backyard.
Host a Popsicle Party
Get out the sprinkler and host a popsicle party for your friends. Grab a box of freezies or a couple of boxes of popsicles for the neighbourhood kids and get wet! It’s a fun way to get everyone together for the summer, and cool off while you’re doing it.
How are you keeping summer inexpensive in your house?