30 Cheap (or Free!) Family Activities That'll Have You Laughing All the Way to the Bank

Pick up a colorful kite at the nearest 99 cent store and hit the park! See how high your kite will go, and witness your kiddos watch in awe.

Have some extra veggies laying around? Great! Head to the nearest pond, lake, or bay and make some new friends for an afternoon.

Learning how to climb a tree is a rite of passage for kids. Find your nearest maple and let them play on the branches. Just make sure you keep your eyes glued on them at all times.

Pack a bag of snacks and hit an outdoor movie! Plenty of towns show kids' movies during the Summer — all you have to do is grab a blanket and something to munch on and sip.

It's not like a regular game of tag; it's a "cool" game of tag. Whoever is "it" has the flashlight and attempts to shine the beam on the other players, who run around trying to evade the glare. Players are eliminated when the flashlight's beam hits them. Don't forget to load up on AA batteries beforehand!

Because there's nothing like a little friendly competition, right?

There's nothing like picking seasonal fruit right off the vine. Hit a local farm and pick a bushel of your own with your kids in tow.

Even if you're not into camping, pitching a tent in the backyard (where bathroom and kitchen facilities are a short walk away) is fun for everyone.

There are few things thirsty neighbors enjoy more than an adorable lemonade stand. Make an afternoon out of it by giving kids an intro to how money actually works. If they're on the older side, let them take a stab at running the stand themselves!

Grab your gardening gloves and plant a few flowers with your children. After all, it's never too early to plant the gardening seed.

Go crazy in your very own backyard by setting up a Slip 'N Slide. Don't forget the towels!

Goats, bunnies, and cows, oh my!

Go into attack mode and invite a few kids over for a full-blown water-balloon fight. They'll love watching them pop!

Sure, you're planning on watching the skies light up on the Fourth of July, but opportunities to watch fireworks throughout the Summer exist in many major cities (Chicago's Navy Pier lets off fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday from Memorial Day to Labor Day) and at lots of ballparks, so do your research and find your own local fireworks show.

Drum up some clues and send your children on a wild adventure! Trust us: the journey will be way more exciting than the prize at the end.

Squeeze in a little one-on-one session with your soon-to-be superstar on the front lawn. Goal!

Invite some parent friends and their kids over and grill it up. It's always better to have a play date when you can keep the little ones outside for the majority of it. Keep costs down by asking everyone to bring a dish of their choice, potluck-style.

Hit a new trail or do a few laps around the neighborhood. Don't forget your helmets!

All you need are some sandwiches and their favorite drinks and you're good to go.

Kill two birds with one stone by scoping out a new trail with the kids in tow. It will keep 'em busy and they'll get some exercise.

Nothing says Summer nights like fireflies, so head outside and see how many lightning bugs your kids can capture. Just remember to let them fly away before bedtime!

Although exposing your children to a little art can set you back up to $50 per person at some museums, keeping track of discounts on your calendar can pay off in spades when you're looking to plan a family outing.

Have kids roll out the dough and finish off each pizza with an assortment of toppings before popping their creations in the oven.

There's something special about catching a game with the whole brood in tow. And no one says it has to be super expensive! To cut costs, try heading to your local college or minor league stadium since the tickets are usually much more affordable.

Get away from the city lights by staking out a serene spot, setting up a blanket on the roof of your car, and checking out what the night-sky view has to offer! Bonus points if you can name a constellation or two!

There's nothing like spending a few peaceful moments in a beautiful garden chock-full of flowers. And don't even get us started on the smells!

Sometimes there's nothing in the world that's more relaxing than diving into a good book. Get the whole gang involved by making your next trip to the library a family affair.

Strap on your skates and get moving at the roller rink. And parents: keep your eyes peeled for Kids Skate Free deals to get even more savings!

There's just something special about dunking a hunk of bread or a piece of fruit in melted cheese or chocolate. Just keep an extra close eye on anyone with tiny hands in your clan — the pot can get super hot!

Can you think of a better way to cool off? One of these delicious recipes should do the trick!