20 Family Activities That Are Under $20

Every summer it feels like our only family activity options involve spending $50 or more, so I am always trying to find fun things for the family to do without blowing up the budget. Here are 20 things that a family of four can do for under $20.  This list has a few specifics to Sonoma County, but I'm sure you can find similar activities in your area as well.

1. Go Down To The River (Cost: Gas$) - There are several Russian River beaches that are free.  Pack a lunch and some water related activities to have an afternoon of family fun.  My favorite free beach is in Monte Rio. If you have $13 to spend, you can rent a canoe for an hour. 
2. Head To The Beach (Cost: Gas$ + Parking$) - What better way to spend a day with the family than the beach trip.  It is also a great way to beat the heat if you live in Sonoma or Marin counties.
3. Swimming (Cost: under $20) - Swim sessions are expensive, but the whole family can go to the pool once this summer for less than $20. Check out your local pool rec times and prices and go have a blast.  You can get really thrifty if you know someone with a pool; now your outing just became free.
4. Golden Gate Park (Cost: Gas$+Toll$) - Go into the city and spend a day at Golden Gate Park.  There are many things to do there and you can find free parking.  Bring a few bicycles and ride around, or ride the free shuttle on weekends. You will need to pay for gas and The GG Bridge toll as well as any attractions you want to enjoy.
5. Farmer's Market (Cost: $0-$20) - Your local Farmer's market is a great outing.  You can often get Kettle corn for little money, then check out the booths and local entertainment.
6. Family Bike Ride and Picnic (Free) - Get out and ride to your local park to have a picnic with the family.  You can get family time and exercise all in one.
7. Apple Picking (Cost: under $20) - Go with the family to pick some apples from a local farm.  Prices are around $2 per pound, so you can get enough apples for the next couple weeks for under $20)
8. Visit the Library (Cost: Free) - Get yourself a library card and check out a few books for the kids to read.  Most Libraries have reading programs that allow the kids to earn points and prizes.  If all else fails, you can even rent a movie from the Library and try the next activity.
9. Movie Night In (Cost: $0-$1.29) - Don't go out to the movies, have movie night in.  Pop some popcorn and head down to Redbox to get yourself a movie.  It's not as great as being outdoors, but sometimes you just need a night in.
10. Movie Night Out (Cost: $14) - 3rd Street Cinemas in Santa Rosa shows movies for $3.50.  If you want the theater experience and don't mind watching a movie that has been out for a while, pack up the family for a movie experience that costs less than $20.
11. Movies In The Park (Cost: Free) - If you can't get enough movies, look for a local movie in the park. Your next family movie night is just a Google search away.
12. Free Concert (Cost: Free) - There are a lot of places to go for free concerts.  Take the family and experience some live music.  Click Here for a list of Sonoma County outdoor concerts.  There you will find free and paid concerts to choose from.
13. Howarth Park (Cost: $0-$20) - This park has various activities to choose from for little or no money.  You can ride a train, or even take a pony ride.  If you bring your bikes, you can ride around the lake for free as well.
14. Get Dessert Downtown (Cost: under $20) - Take some time to window shop downtown and get dessert with the family.  Downtown Petaluma has several places to stop for a dessert, with Powell's being the ultimate candy experience.
15. Backyard Camping (Cost: under $20) - Set-up your very own campground in the back yard.  Get out the tent and sleeping bags, get hot dogs and smore's for the BBQ and spend the night under the stars.
16. Random Acts of Kindness (Cost: under $20) - Show a random act of kindness as a family.  It could be anything from helping a friend move to going (as a family) to the grocery store to put together a $20 food box, then giving it to a homeless person.  Get creative and have fun while teaching your child(ren) about generosity.
17. The County Fair (Cost: around $20) - This will be difficult to bring in under $20, but it is possible.  The Sonoma County Fair has pre-sale discount tickets of $8 per adult and children 12 and under are free on Fridays.  That doesn't give you a lot to spend while you are there, but there are various shows and exhibits that you can see for free. Update: Donate blood at Blood Centers of The Pacific (Santa Rosa Facility) and receive a free entry to the The 2014 Fair.  Offer ends 8/8/14.
18. Shop The Dollar Store (Cost under $20) - Go to the dollar store as a family and pick out games you can play together.  They sometimes have puzzles and other activities, or you can make up your own games.  $20 goes a long way.  It's also a great place to get treats for some of the other activities on this list.
19. Chuck E Cheese's (Smaller Kids) (Cost: $5-$20) - If you have little ones, there are few things that they enjoy more than Chuck E Cheese's.  You can get a few tokens and let them loose.  Hints: They will charge $0.33 for each token, but the machines will take quarters, so ask for quarters or bring your own.  You can also buy the little toys at the end of your time there at an exchange rate of 100 tickets per $1.
20. Check Your Community Calendar (Cost: $0-$20) - If you still need things to do, events are listed on your local community calendar.  Who knows, you might find something new to do that won't cost you a penny.  Check out the Sonoma County Event Calendar.

Your family can have fun without spending a ton of money.  If you do everything on this list, you will be pushing $400 for the entire summer, but if you do one a week, you will have plenty to and still have money for groceries at the end of the month.  If you need help finding the money to do family activities, check out my Budgeting Basics blog post and start getting the most out of your money.