The 10 Fundamentals of Inexpensive Summer Activities
At Software and Process Design, we've discovered that most goals can be achieved by breaking them down into essential steps, roughly 10 fundamental principles. We call these principles the 10 Fundamentals.
You can think of these Fundamentals as a roadmap for success. If you’re aiming to achieve something, these Fundamentals are like simple rules to follow, breaking down goals into actionable steps.
What makes it even more exciting is that we're actively developing tools to simplify this journey further. As you read through this guide, see how these Fundamentals, when combined with our tools, become your companion for reaching your goals.
Learn how to make the most of your summer without spending a fortune by following our guide to 10 fun inexpensive summer activities. Whether you’re looking to maximize your summer fun or tackle other personal goals, these 10 fundamentals will guide you to success.
Key Takeaways:
1. Host a group potluck
2. Get outside
3. Get a friend to introduce you to their hobby
4. Check out local resources like libraries, art galleries, or community centers
5. Participate in community events
6. Have a movie night - indoors or outdoors
7. Try a new exercise
8. Host a games night
9. Do a chore exchange
10. Organize/partake in a community clean-up
1. Host a group potluck
This can be in the form of a BBQ or picnic, for example. Everyone brings a dish they have prepared so each person's maximum cost equals a dish that will feed the number of people that will be attending and also bringing a dish.
If you’re not sure what to bring to a potluck, some easy potluck dishes include items like burgers, hot dogs, salads, sandwiches, fruit/veggies/cheese trays, chips, etc.
Soon, you’ll be able to use our tools to plan your potluck. Whether you’re the organizer or an attendee, our upcoming tools will allow you to create and share your potluck sign-up sheet so you know who’s bringing what.
You can also assign roles and lists to people, see real-time updates/changes to the list, add allergy information, and so much more.
2. Get outside
Need something to do this summer? Get outside and play! Nature is free and there are many community spaces such as parks, trails, and community gardens that you can enjoy at no cost.
You can even join a local hiking group or get involved in geocaching, where participants use the Geocaching app and/or a GPS device to find hidden containers called ‘geocaches.’
The best part is that “there are millions of geocaches in 190 countries”, so regardless of the region you’re in, there’s something for everyone!
You can even check out museums, like the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto, Ontario for affordable activities.
The ROM features ‘ROMWalks,’ for example, which are guided walking tours that take participants on a unique journey through urban Toronto.
These guides are free and require no registration - simply turn up at a walk’s starting point and look for the ‘ROMWalks’ umbrella. Note that free walks are scheduled on Sundays at 2 pm and Wednesdays at 6 pm.
Soon, you’ll be able to use our tools to find local, accessible hiking spots.
Plan your hike, assign items to people so nothing gets forgotten, add emergency details (in case someone gets lost or separated from the group) and so much more – all in one convenient location.
You’ll even be able to filter through terrain and accessibility options so you can find the most suitable trail for you and your group.
3. Get a friend to introduce you to their hobby
While people do not always love to talk about themselves they do love to talk about their passions. So, if you’re looking for something to do this summer, try asking your friends what their favourite hobby or pastime is.
Then, get them to introduce you to it! It could be a relaxing hobby like knitting, or a more in-depth hobby like woodworking. Who knows what exciting hobbies your friends are taking part in during their free time!
Soon, you’ll be able to learn about and participate in hobbies with your friends using our upcoming tools. Create a workspace dedicated to the craft where you can teach and learn with friends and community members.
You’ll even be able to access helpful tips and guides; collaborate and share, communicate, keep track of progress, and so much more – all in one convenient place.
4. Check out local resources like libraries, art galleries, community centers, etc.
Many libraries, art galleries, and community centers have activities and events running throughout the summer months, most of which are completely free to take part in.
There’s often programs for all age groups, like free library programs for kids, adults, and seniors, for example. Moreover, libraries sometimes run craft programs where they will supply all materials needed.
Looking to learn as opposed to something to do? Libraries often host learning sessions, too. You can also explore libraries’ resources of ‘microfiche.’
Microfiche are flat pieces of film that contain microphotographs of the pages of a newspaper, catalog, or other document. They are great resources if you’re looking to dive into some history.
Some libraries even have equipment you can access like laser cutters, for example. These are great for crafting unique and inexpensive gifts or marketing materials, for example.
The Toronto Public Library, for example, allows you to access to a range of specialized equipment and computer software for in-library use, like Adobe Creative Suite, for example.
They even have offer free access to sewing and vinyl printing/cutting equipment to create your own projects.
Soon, you’ll be able to use our tools to find and take part in free library summer programs. You’ll even be able to search for and rent equipment at local libraries.
5. Participate in community events
In addition to libraries, art galleries, and community centres, communties often host a variety of events throughout the summer, too, and they’re often a mix of both indoor and outdoor events.
Whether you’re looking for arts and culture, recreation, or social activities, you can often find information on your local tourism or community’s website as a starting point.
In Ontario, there’s a ton of stuff happening this summer. Here are a few examples of some upcoming community events:
and so much more...
Soon, you’ll be able to use our tools to find upcoming events, activities, and things to do near you all in one convenient location.
6. Have a movie night - indoors or outdoors
This makes for an affordable date night, family night, or outing with friends. If your community has a ‘drive-in movie theatre’ you can use that or consider setting up a sheet and a projector in your backyard to have your movie night outside your home.
You can often find inexpensive projectors and speakers online or have the group each pitch a few bucks to go towards the equipment. Then, you can make backyard movie nights a regular thing!
Alternatively, you can set up blankets or mattresses on the floor of your living room and lounge out watching films that way.
Watch out for movies showing in parks or at community centers, too. In Ontario, there are ‘movies under the stars’ - Burlington, ‘outdoor picture show’ - Toronto, and ‘movie nights presented by insauga’ - Mississauga.
If attending a drive-in theatre, don’t forget to bring your blankets, chairs, snacks, and drinks! You’ll also want to consider bringing a vehicle with enough room to put the seat back and get comfortable in.
For example, if your backseat is filled with clutter, consider removing that before going so you can lean back and enjoy the movie night without having to rearrange your whole vehicle.
You may want to consider bringing bug spray, too.
7. Try a new exercise
Many communities offer exercise programs in the parks during the summer and it’s a great way to see if you like an activity before you pay for classes or training. It’s also a great way to meet new, local people or just experience some outdoor exercise.
In Ontario, Hamilton hosts a variety of free fitness programs throughout the summer, open to all abilities and ages. This includes yoga, tai chi, and cardio dance, as a few examples.
Depending on the region you live in, consider grabbing a pass for local conservation areas or provincial/national parks. Often, you can get ‘all-access’ or seasonal passes that let you enter the area all season at a cheaper cost.
In Ontario, ‘Conservation Halton’ is offering a ‘full-series pass to access 50+ wellness sessions this summer’ for only $99.99 CAD (or $79.99 CAD for Conservation Halton members).
There’s also ‘Salsa on the Waterfront’ which takes place at Pier 8 in Hamilton. This is a free, family friendly event taking place on Tuesday evenings during the summer season.
8. Host a board games night
You can rotate nights with friends or family, but the objective is to get a group of friends on set nights to play games together. To change it up, each host can introduce a new game (or one of their most favourite games) on their night.
These can be computer/online games, console games, board games, or card games, depending on the location and interests of the group.
Some great game night ideas include things like Monopoly or Uno, both of which can be played as physical games or on digital consoles (like the Xbox One, for example).
Don’t have a location to play? No worries! In Ontario you can check out local ‘gaming cafes’ like Hamilton’s ‘Never Board Games Lounge’ on Concession St.
These ‘board game’ shops often have restaurants, bars, or cafes inside their store so you can share food and drinks while you’re enjoying some board games with friends.
Soon you’ll be able to use our tools to find and reserve local board game cafes for you and your friends conveniently and easily!
You’ll even be able to plan and organize game nights in your home – like who’s bringing the dice, who’s got the chips and dip, and who is bringing the wine.
9. Do a ‘chore exchange’
Although this is not glamourous, sometimes you need extra hands to get those projects done (or maybe you just simply just hate working on them by yourself). Instead, try organizing a ‘chore swap’ with friends or family.
Have them come help you with your project and then go help them with theirs, it’s as simple as that. Got a heavy shelf to install? Yard work that needs tending to?
There is the saying that “many hands make light work” and we couldn’t agree with that more!
10. Organize/partake in a community clean-up
Depending on the region you live in, a community clean-up day could involve something like a park, shoreline, body of water, or schoolyard clean-up, as a few examples.
Not only is a community clean-up something to keep you occupied, but it will make you feel good because you’re helping make a difference in your community.
Moreover, you will meet local people, make friends, and help keep your community clean and usable – a win-win for everyone involved.
Soon, you’ll be able to use our tools to find and participate in local community events and causes like park cleanups, food drives, and so much more.
Hungry for more? Stay tuned for additional guides on how to achieve your goals using our solutions and keep in mind that soon, groundbreaking tools will turn these principles into actionable steps.
You can also check out the 10Fundamentals YouTube channel for more helpful tips and informative video lessons.
Software and Process Design: A group of expert problem-solvers crafting software solutions that redefine. Learn more about the work we’re doing at softwareandprocessdesign.com.
