15 Ways to Save on Summer Activities

Original Photo Credit: Jim Larrison via cc

This is a guest post from Raki at Outside the Box Mom:

This Summer, I plan to have lots of fun with my kids: skating, swimming, state fair, and more. I’m always on a budget. Summertime is no exception. With Summer childcare costs and an increased food budget, I’ll take savings anywhere I can get it.

1. Buy a Group Coupon – Group coupon sites like Groupon and Living Social are deal-of-the-day websites that feature discounted gift certificates, which can be used at local or national businesses. Deeply discounted prices and buy one get one free offers are often available to boost sales.
2. Pick the Right Day of the Week – The weekends are typically the busiest days of the week for children’s activity centers. Ask if there are special prices and offers available at the beginning or middle of the week for deep savings.
3. Pay in Advance – By committing to your purchase early in the season, you can snag a discount that you can use during the entire summer.
4. Check the Website – Many companies offer unadvertised deals on their wesbite. Look for a tab called “Deals,” “Specials,” or “Promotions.” You may or may not need to print out a coupon.
5. Give Up Your Email – In exchange for allowing the company to send you promotional emails, you may receive a freebie, discount, or get the first heads up about an upcoming promotion.
6. Use Coupons – Check with your child’s school and your local newspaper for coupons. These are often printed in the newspaper on Thursday so that parents can plan their weekend events accordingly. Sunday’s circulars may include coupons to local children’s activities as well.
7. Support Your Local Government – Does your city, town, or county sponsor any free events? Call, check their website, or search your local newspaper for advertisements and promotions.
8. Have fun with Parks & Recreation – Does your locality’s Parks & Recreation department offer any free events? Call, check the department’s website, or obtain their catalog or magazine.
9. Buy in Bulk – You will often receive a discounted rate if you purchase tickets or passes in bulk. You may be able to pay a lower price per visit by purchasing a card with a set number of admissions. 
10. Participate in Family Night – The business or organization may set aside one night per week, month, or season to encourage families to have fun together. Some of the advertisers offset the cost of operating that day to encourage family participation.
11. Make Summer Special – Businesses know that schools are out and may offer discounted prices not offered any other time of year to encourage families who may not visit other times of the year to patronize their establishment.
12. Seize the Season – You may be able to enjoy an unlimited use pass during the summer for one low price. The odds are that most consumers buy the pass and then never or rarely use it. This is your opportunity to pay once and have fun all summer long.
13. Buy Local – Check out your local Mom & Pop businesses. They may have offers to lure customers away from the big chain businesses. Buy Big Box – The big chain businesses may have offers to lure customers away from your local Mom & Pop businesses. They are able to offer deeper discounts with the hopes of having you return more often.
14. Join the Rewards Club – The benefits of rewards clubs vary from freebies, discounts, perks, personalized offers, and opportunities to earn rewards.
15. Enroll in the Kids’ Club – Kids’ Club programs offer freebies, discounts, special theme nights, clothing, souvenirs, and more. You could also check the center’s website for a “Rewards,” or “Activities” tab offering free tickets or tokens.

Looking for more money-saving ideas on Fun Things to Do in the Summer?

• How to Save Money at Indoor Play Centers {Fun Things to Do in the Summer series}
• How to Save on Summer Reading {Fun Things to Do in the Summer series}
• How to Save on Summer Movies {Fun Things to Do in the Summer series}
• How to Save at State Fairs {Fun Things to Do in the Summer series}
• Make A Summer Routine {Fun Things to Do in the Summer series}

How do you save on Summer activities with your family?

Raki is a wife, mom of 2, coffee drinker, and list maker. She puts her UNC Tarheels’ degree in Communication Studies to use at an advertising agency and her hands-on experience as a working mom to use on her blog. She is the go-to gal for on-the-go moms. You can find her online at: Outside the Box Mom

This post is linked to Thrifty Thursday.