As I'm typing this, I've just returned from a lovely half hour walk/run with my dog Molly. It's currently 17C (62F) outside and sunny – which, in Canada, means Spring is here!
Now that Spring has arrived, all I want to do is spend time outside, working on the yard, walking, and soaking up some vitamin D.
This is great news for my wallet, since most of the things I'm planning on doing are free – and a healthy form of exercise. Here are some great ways to spend time outside this Spring.
Do Yard Work
This might not be the MOST fun activity, but it's definitely free, and it's definitely a workout. A moderate sized yard requires at least a few hours of preparation in the Spring time, so why not do it yourself? You'll save money, get some fresh air, and burn a few calories, what's not to like about that scenario?
Go For a Walk/Run/Bike Ride
I love walking and running in my neighbourhood. My dog Molly needs the exercise, otherwise she becomes excitable, and I need the exercise, otherwise I'm not going to fit into my wedding dress this summer. Spending time outside and going for a stroll in your neighbourhood is a great way to get some free exercise. As a bonus, it'll help you become more connected to your community, and spend less time vegging in front of the couch.
I really want to get my hands on a bike this summer, so my dog Molly and I can cover a bit more ground and explore a little more! Of course, that wouldn't be the most frugal purchase, so I'll probably put it off until I'm debt free.
Check Out Your Local Parks
Another favourite activity of mine is hiking. The closest national park is about a 40 minute drive from my house, but it's worth the trip for an afternoon of walking on the beach and exploring trails. The admission fee is reasonable, and if I pack a small BBQ and cooler full of food, it's the only expense associated with this cheap outing that can entertain me for hours.
Go Fly a Kite
I was terrible at kite flying as a kid, it probably had something to do with my short legs and terrible coordination. Now that I'm a little older, my coordination is still awful, but my kite flying skills have improved. Kite flying is a fun and cheap way to get outside, with the cheapest kites costing only a couple of bucks. Kites can typically be flown anywhere, but you're safest if you find an open field or park area.
Have a Picnic
Yes, eating out on a restaurant patio is just about the most enjoyable activity I can think of, but that's not always possible with my tight budget. The cheaper alternative is to have a picnic in a local park. By bringing your own food, you can enjoy the beautiful sun without having to break the bank. Get your exercise by walking to the location instead of driving.
It's Spring – Get Active!
It's so easy to hunker down into the warmth of a cozy house when the weather outside is terrible. Now that the sun is shining and the grass is green again, it's time to take advantage of the great outdoors for some cheap, healthy entertainment!
What's your favourite activity to do outside?
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myfijourney says
May 2, 2013 at 4:26 amI go for walks and hikes in the spring. I don't really count this as exercise since I go to the gym every day normally. It's more of a mental recharge after being suck indoors all winter.
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Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:23 pmWell if you ever need to cut that gym membership, at least you know you could get by with just exercising outside!
Iain says
May 4, 2013 at 3:50 pmI do something similar. I walk to the gym as call it my warm up and then I walk back which is like my cool down.
I agree. Getting outside can act a way of recharging your batteries.
One of my favourite activities to do outside is to just walk. It really doesn't matter where it is. It just gives my mind a chance to wander.
Cheers
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Matt Becker says
May 2, 2013 at 4:59 amI'm really excited about the warmer weather. This is the first spring/summer that my son can really run around and enjoy being outside, and it's already been a lot of fun taking him to the park. Chasing after a 1 year old is a great workout!
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Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:23 pmI have a 1 year old niece, I definitely know where you're coming from!
Amy Turner says
May 2, 2013 at 5:02 amWalk, bike and hike. I think the outdoors offer the best therapeutic medicine for the physical and mental fatigue we occasionally suffer from. It helps clear my thoughts and gives me the feeling of being one with the universe.
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Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:23 pmAbsolutely! There's nothing quite so great as being outside and soaking up nature.
Chloe Moon says
May 2, 2013 at 5:16 amGreat ideas!! I actually just planned a picnic for this Sunday whole bunch of my friends to get the spring/summer started! It will literally cost me about $10 because my job is bring the soda! =) It's awesome!
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Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:24 pmThat sounds like so much fun!
The Norwegian Girl says
May 2, 2013 at 5:44 amI love having picnics outside! There`s this big park area in Oslo, where everyone goes to bbq and have picnics during the spring and summer, so full of life! Can`t wait for summer to get here:-D
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Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:24 pmThat sounds lovely! I love going to public parks that are full of people, such a community feeling.
MoneySmartGuides says
May 2, 2013 at 5:59 amI enjoy going for walks in early spring and catching the smell of fresh cut grass. That always puts me in a great mood because I know spring is here!
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Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:24 pmFresh cut grass definitely reminds me of spring and summer.
Holly@ClubThrifty says
May 2, 2013 at 6:09 amI cannot wait to do all of these things! It is finally getting nice outside. We had a picnic with the kids the other night…it was fun =)
Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:25 pmTotally agree! I have a hike planned for this weekend, I can't wait.
David Carlson says
May 2, 2013 at 6:19 amI like to run, but I think most of my Summer will be spent doing yard work since we have a new house and the backyard needs some TLC 😉
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Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:26 pmDoing yard work is a great way to get some exercise! I'd love to add a few gardens to our place, but unfortunately the budget doesn't allow it just yet.
JW_Umbrella Treasury says
May 2, 2013 at 7:55 amI love picnics! When I was younger, we had a lake within walking distance of our house. Membership at the lake was super-affordable (like, $12 per family for the entire year). During the summers, we loved picnic lunches at the lake. So much fun!
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Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:26 pmWow that sounds awesome!
Jacob@CashCowCouple says
May 2, 2013 at 8:08 amWe love to swim if a pool is available. All of yours are great ideas though!
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Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:27 pmOh yeah I forgot about swimming. I guess here in Canada, it doesn't really get warm enough to swim until summer time, that's why I didn't think of it!
debtroundup says
May 2, 2013 at 8:10 amI feel that when I go outside, I tend not to think about money or spending it. I enjoy the free lifestyle that the outdoor brings and it just rocks!
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Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:28 pmDefinitely agree, no need to spend money when there's so much free awesomeness to be had!
John S @ Frugal Rules says
May 2, 2013 at 8:13 amSadly, we got a couple of inches of snow last night so we won't be doing much outside today and it looks like we might be getting more snow in the next few days. Our favorite thing to work out in the yard & in our garden.
Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:28 pmAww that sucks. I'm hoping we're done with snow here since I'm thinking of getting my winter tires removed soon.
My Shiny Pennies says
May 2, 2013 at 8:45 amWe loving hiking and having bonfires in the evening! This activity requires a small outlay of cash but we love it – camping.
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Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:29 pmOnce you have the gear, camping isn't that expensive. We were lucky enough to have our gear gifted to us – can't beat free!
jakee141414 says
May 2, 2013 at 9:13 amThese are great ideas for the summer! My wife and I really enjoy riding our bikes. We're lucky enough to have good trails nearby so we have plenty of places to go. I also really like doing my own yard work. I take pride in how our yard looks, so I spend enough time to make it look respectable.
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Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:30 pmI wish I had a bike, but even if I did, there aren't many good trails nearby. Hopefully some day I'll live somewhere with access to those kinds of amenities.
Jake Erickson says
May 2, 2013 at 9:16 amI love all of these ideas! My wife and I really like riding our bikes when it's nice outside. Minnesota has some great bike paths with many of them close enough for us to ride, so it's easy for us to get out there.
I also take pride in how our yard looks so I put in enough time to make it look respectable. It serves a dual purpose, it makes our house look nicer and it gives me some excercise.
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Budget & the Beach says
May 2, 2013 at 9:40 amWell this won't be any big surprised but walking/running/sand dunes/beach volleyball are my favorite things. It's a crime to stay inside if you live in California.
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therandompath says
May 2, 2013 at 10:56 amLOL, ain't that the truth! 🙂
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Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:31 pmI would totally agree! Especially since where I live, the outdoors is intolerable 50% of the year.
anna says
May 2, 2013 at 9:56 amI agree you can't beat running and hiking outdoors! It's going to be in the 80's to 90's this weekend,can't wait! 🙂
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Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:31 pmSounds great! I'm planning a trip to my local provincial park this Sunday, it's supposed to be gorgeous out!
Cece says
May 2, 2013 at 10:32 amI'll happily do all of them…except the yard work and we don't even really have a yard. Just a patio with planters. I hate it!!! Anyways, good tips. You can't burn too many calories sitting on the couch watching House Hunters!!
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Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:31 pmSo true, although House Hunters is addictive…
KC @ genxfinance says
May 2, 2013 at 10:36 amPicnic outside is amazing especially on a perfect weather. Biking and flying a kite is also fun especially if you spend it with your family.
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Nick @ AYoungPro.com says
May 2, 2013 at 11:08 amGreat ideas Jordann, I totally agree! I'm going to be doing the landscaping for our new house this summer and I'm super excited to be outside so often!
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Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:32 pmThat sounds like fun! The landscaping was non existent at my place, but my fiancé is a landscaper so he's in charge of that domain.
BrokeMillennial says
May 2, 2013 at 11:51 amGo fly a kite! Great idea! I need to invest in one and go to Central Park.
I'm a big fan of picnics too. They make great frugal dates, especially in the delightful weather of spring with flowers blooming!
Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:32 pmA picnic date is so romantic! That's a great idea.
krantcents says
May 2, 2013 at 12:05 pmI love to bicycle! I also walk with my wife for 30 minutes after dinner.
Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:33 pmI've been walking for around 30 minutes a day, it's the perfect length of time.
@HassleFreeSaver says
May 2, 2013 at 1:17 pmSpring is taking it's sweet time here in Colorado. It was 75 and awesome last weekend and yesterday it snowed ALL DAY. I can't wait to go outside and play once the weather warms up! I enjoy jogging and my husband loves to fly kites. I'm not a big fan of yard work — actually, I hate it with the passion of a thousand burning suns — but I'm too cheap to pay for hired labor so I muddle through! Great post. 🙂
shopaholicsavers says
May 2, 2013 at 1:18 pmWe are lucky enough to live very, very close to Blue Springs State Park which is amazing! I grew up going there and swimming in the spring. As for bikes, we were excited that my dad gave us bikes he had fixed up and a bike pump for Christmas. We really like riding around our neighborhood. Buying a bike doesn't have to be expensive. We have almost always gotten our bikes for free or almost free because my dad picks them up from the sides of the road and fixes them. I'm not suggesting that you do that but another good way to get a bike for cheap is at a yard sale or thrift shop or even telling people you are looking for a cheap bike. Many people have bikes in their garage that they don't use anymore. Maybe even an online site like Facebook Marketplace or Craig's list would have them for cheap.
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Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:33 pmOoo that's a good idea. I'll definitely keep that in mind.
Happy_Homeowner says
May 2, 2013 at 1:36 pmGreat list! I love pretty much anything outside–right now I'm WFP…working from porch 🙂
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Jordann says
May 2, 2013 at 2:34 pmNice! I bought a bistro table set recently and I can't wait till my next sunny work from home day. I plan on taking my laptop out there and just enjoying the sun.
Cat@BudgetBlonde.com says
May 2, 2013 at 1:58 pmOhh I realllly need to be more active and get out of my computer cave. Thanks for the virtual kick in the pants!
Michelle says
May 4, 2013 at 8:46 amI need to get out of the computer cave as well!
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Stephanie says
May 2, 2013 at 6:59 pmI love to garden, but spending a significant amount of time doing that might be difficult this year with a new baby to take care of. 😉 My husband and I also like taking our dog (and now our daughter) for long walks in the evening. I'm hoping to do some hiking with the family as well this year.
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Michelle says
May 4, 2013 at 8:47 amWe need to start going for long walks in the evening together also.
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Brian @ Luke1428 says
May 2, 2013 at 7:48 pmWe love being outside with the kids and dogs. We have a couple of beautiful parks nearby where we go walking and bike riding. I'm also glad it's warming up so my morning runs won't be so cold!
Michelle says
May 4, 2013 at 8:47 amThat's awesome! We need to get out more.
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1stmillionhardest says
May 2, 2013 at 7:49 pmI look for any excuse to be outside in the summer. I try to bike nearly everywhere and my dog definitely gets spoiled from all the walks and trips to the park!
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Michelle says
May 4, 2013 at 8:47 amHaha I love taking my dogs out, and they love it too 🙂
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Kevin Watts says
May 2, 2013 at 9:30 pmI am lucky. I live right on the beach and nothing beats waking up early and working out at the beach. The view, the people and the sun always makes it a great experience.
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Michelle says
May 4, 2013 at 8:48 amummm jealous! 🙂
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Jamie says
May 3, 2013 at 8:13 amYes! It's spring! Go outside!
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Michelle says
May 4, 2013 at 8:48 amI agree! 🙂
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Kyle@DebtFreeDiaries says
May 3, 2013 at 12:23 pmI love going for a walk in the woods when it's nice outside. I also enjoy eating ice cream, but that's not nearly as budget friendly…at least not at the rate I'd like to eat it!
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Michelle says
May 4, 2013 at 8:48 amHaha yummm ice cream!
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@ArtisticOdyssey says
May 3, 2013 at 9:27 pmGreat ideas.
Canadianbudgetbinder says
May 3, 2013 at 11:08 pmI'm outside as much as I can be in the spring and summer as I just love being active. Getting fit and keeping fit doesn't require a gym membership. The world is our gym and with so many trails, and nature surrounding us there are plenty of free spring and summertime activities we can all do to keep the body happy.
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Michelle says
May 4, 2013 at 8:49 amI agree! 🙂
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Family Fandango says
May 4, 2013 at 6:29 amDon't forget about geocaching! It's sooo much fun! If you've got a gps phone you can download a free app for it (probably). Geocaching is basically a free outdoor treasure hunt. You find "caches" that have been placed in public. Some of them are mid sized tupperware containers with trinkets in them…you take a trinket and leave a trinket. Others are so small there's only room for a scroll inside. I bet if you went to geocaching.com and searched for one in your neighborhood, you'd be AMAZED at how many are around…it's also an activity that spans age generations well…i've taken my 80 year old uncle geocaching AND my 6 year old son. Ok, enough enthusiasm for you? 🙂
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Michelle says
May 4, 2013 at 8:49 amWe've gone geocaching a couple of times but failed miserably haha!
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Jenny@FrugalGuru says
May 7, 2013 at 6:42 amMy most FREQUENT activity is yard work, though I wouldn't call it fun!
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