Much to our regret we will not be updating this article for Summer 2020 due to the uncertainties of events going forward.

Always interested in frugal summer family fun, we originally published our ideas for creating a free summer camp in 2013. While some of our free ideas now have a cost, it’s still possible to create a cheap summer camp for your kids. Enjoy our 2019 updates.

 

Summer Camp doesn’t have to be expensive. It doesn’t have to stick to a straight Monday to Friday, 9 am – 4 pm schedule. As moms, we know that sometimes day camp isn’t in the budget or the schedule doesn’t work with your schedule. Regardless of the reason, we have got lots of ways you can have free or almost free fun with your kids this summer and create your own summer camp.  We’ve even broke it down by activities, to help you find the things your kids are most interested in.

 

 

How to Make A FREE or Cheap Summer Camp for Kids

 

Movie time

Catch free or $1 movies showing all summer long. In New Jersey, you can watch many movies outside in the park after sunset or inside at your local library or theater. Check our New Jersey Free and Cheap Movies blog post for our complete listing of FREE summer movies or visit our New Jersey Calendar of Events.

 

Reading & Learning

Libraries & bookstores across our state not only hold weekly story times, that you can find on our New Jersey Calendar of Events, but they also offer incentive programs to reward your kids for reading all summer long. Visit our listing of New Jersey libraries here or click over here for information on New Jersey Summer Reading Programs that offer rewards for reading and here for a listing on New Jersey Library Events.

 

Physical Exercise

In New Jersey, we are fortunate to have a few roller skating rinks and several bowling alleys that allow your child and you to play free. Visit these links for more information.

• 4 Rinks Kids Can Roller Skate For Free in New Jersey
• 25 Places New Jersey Kids Can Bowl Free with Kids Bowl Free Program

We can also tell you some of the best playgrounds and parks to visit in our Parks & Playground reviews and our listing of New Jersey Parks & Playgrounds.

 

Arts & Crafts

These nationwide stores offer times where kids can build and create projects for free or at a very low cost. Click on any of their titles to find the next available program and see their upcoming schedule of arts & crafts classes for kids.

• A.C. Moore Summer Fun Wednesdays
• Michael’s Camp Creativity
• Home Depot Kids Workshops

In New Jersey only, Lakeshore Learning Stores offers free make and take projects on Saturday mornings.

 

Swimming & Splish Splashing Fun in New Jersey

We’ve got your listing of New Jersey beaches that are open and free in New Jersey and a listing of New Jersey Splash Pads & Spraygrounds.

So many opportunities to explore on the water playground.

 

Concerts & Live Theater

In parks, on the boardwalk, along the beaches across New Jersey there will be free concerts for families to enjoy. Feel free to check out our listing of FREE Summer Concert Events.(soon to be updated for 2018).

 

Free Field Trips

Did you know there are many places in New Jersey offer free admission? Check out our listing of free places to visit in New Jersey. Also, check this listing. Many libraries offer programs where their members can borrow a pass for free admission to area museums. Of course, if you follow our giveaways you could just win a family four-pack of tickets to somewhere fun as well.

 

Make sure you pin or save this to come back to all summer long.

 

 

Sign up for our 100 Days of Summer Family Fun newsletter and get a daily email with the next day’s New Jersey events for families.

 

Are you ready for to create a cheap summer camp experience to our list? What would you add to our list?