18 Awesome Things You Can Do This Weekend for Under $10
Is your wallet a little deflated this weekend? Turn that frown upside down with this list of 18 awesome things you can do for under $10 — many of which are completely free.
1. Float Down a River
Round up a few of your buddies and head to the nearest river for an afternoon of pure relaxation as you float your cares away. Grab a tube (you can pick up a decent one for less than $10 at your local discount store), pack snacks and drinks for the trip, and set sail. Keep in mind, however, that you'll end up far away from where you started, so it's important that you park one vehicle on each end of your route. Unless, of course, you want to make the several-mile trek back on foot. Also make sure to scout the river first… rapids and waterfalls mean hospital bills over $10.
2. Learn How to Juggle
If you've ever envied a circus performer — and let's face it, who hasn't? — now's your chance to make it to the Big Top. There are plenty of tutorials online that will teach you how to juggle, but this particular video will have you mastering the skill in 5 minutes.
3. See a Morning Movie
Movie theaters are charging higher prices than ever to see your favorite Hollywood flicks — notwithstanding 3D and IMAX prices even — but you can still see a first-run film at many theaters, like my personal favorite AMC, for less than $10 per ticket if you attend a screening before noon. Check your local theater for policies and prices.
4. Build a Birdhouse
Give your feathered friends a new home by building a birdhouse that you can hang in your yard. According to Instructables, you can erect this tiny retreat for just $2, leaving you with plenty of cash to spring for the birdie hot tub.
5. Take a Dip in the Community Pool
If it's a sweltering summer day, cool off in your community pool, generally for just a few dollars' admission. Some are even free, particularly in major cities. You'll have to deal with a bunch of screaming kids, but that's par for the course — and beggars can't be choosy.
6. Relive Your Childhood Saturday Morning
Recently I've started TiVoing some old-school Saturday morning TV shows — like Smurfs, Looney Tunes, and The Jetsons — so I can relive the weekends of yesterday just like I did back then: in my undies, eating Cookie Crisp from a bowl of cold milk, and laughing at the loveable characters that made my childhood memorable.
7. Throw a 'What-You-Have-On-Hand' Potluck
Don't have enough dough to go out to dinner tonight? Throw a potluck where you and your friends only make what you already have in your fridges, freezers, and pantries.
8. Embark on a Photo Safari
Arm yourself with your camera (or camera phone) and head to an area in your town known for its picturesque views and wildlife. Afterward, upload your pics to social media so you can share your finds with your friends.
9. Set Up a Yard Sale
A yard sale is worth the $10 investment to make a few signs and flyers to place strategically around your neighborhood to draw shoppers. I also recommend promoting the sale in the local paper (if it's free) to bring in a broader range of customers. If you have any money leftover, pick up donuts and juice for shoppers to help sweeten their deals. I just had one a few weeks ago and walked away with $150 and much less junk. (See also: Have Your Best Garage Sale Ever)
10. Contribute to an Internet Meme
We all love the viral videos of the Internet — and there's no reason you can't be part of one. Research a popular and current meme and record yourself as you participate in it. Upload it to your favorite social network and see what happens.
11. Host an At-Home Film Festival
A different spin on the movie marathon, an at-home film festival consists of indie and under-the-radar films that are screened in your living room. Ask each attendee to bring their favorite DVD from this genre, along with snacks and drinks, and settle in for a day of culture.
12. Hold a Paper Airplane Contest
See who can construct the best paper airplane by taking your aircraft to the nearest park or other open area and holding a contest. Categories can include best design, length of flight time, distance, and other creative criteria.
13. Build a Bedroom Fort
Gather up all your blankets, bridge them from your bed to your bureaus (and whatever else you'd like), and pretend like you're 10 years old again. This activity is best when it follows your Saturday morning cartoon binge-a-thon.
14. Set Up a Makeshift Slip-and-Slide
You can pick up the brand name Slip 'N Slide, but you can save yourself $10 by lubricating a tarp or other long, thin plastic sheet with water and oil or soap for hours of wet and wild fun.
15. Practice a Few Card Tricks
Right after you learn how to juggle, tap into your inner magician by learning a few card tricks to impress your friends. Here's a video tutorial to get you started.
16. Engage in a Bubble Battle
The Bubble Battle is actually a popular event held by Newmindspace in New York City in the summertime wherein thousands of people gather in Times Square to blow bubbles. I've been and it's really cool and makes for great photos. To recreate this event with your friends, pick up several bottles of bubbles — and maybe even a bubble gun — so you can battle it out at the location of your choice. I would recommend someplace public, so you can bring joy to others through your bubbles.
17. Ask Your Friend to Take Their Dog to the Park
If you don't have a dog of your own, ask a friend if you can take theirs to the local off-leash dog park. Not only will you have a couple hours of fun playing with the pooch and his pals, but your human friend will appreciate that his or her best buddy is getting additional exercise.
18. Go Faux Shopping
When I was in college and broke, I would occasionally go to the local Walmart, fill up a cart with things that I wanted, and then abandon it. Granted, it's probably not the politest thing to do, which is why I'm not recommending that to you. (Although, riding bikes and playing with the toys in Walmart is still pretty fun.)
Rather, you can upgrade this experience so no one is inconvenienced by trying on clothes at your favorite stores, testing out electronic gadgets, and otherwise engaging with display items (that's why they're on display, after all) at your local mall or shopping center. Sometimes, it's good to get back to the simple things in life.
Do you have more awesome activities that we can do this weekend for less than $10? Let me know in the comments below.
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I've found a lot of fun in just coming up with frugal ideas for my family. It's always a treat to start with a blank summer calendar and begin filling in activities like the one's you've listed. We attend the free movie in the park and free bowling events every year among other things. This is a great round up of ideas to get the creative juices flowing.