Free Ways to Have Fun This Summer
There are only 94 days of sweet summertime, so the clock is ticking to make all the memories while you can. But with budgets tight, having fun can take a back seat to, well, everything else. That’s why we’ve rounded up a few ideas to help you level up your summer without spending a dime.
But we didn’t stop there. Do you have a used phone sitting forgotten in a drawer? With ecoATM, you can sell it at one of over 7,000 kiosks for instant cash to help fund a little extra summer fun. For each of our freebie picks, we’ve included an easy way to elevate your day with a little help from ecoATM.
Camping à la Casa
Free: You don’t need a ton of gear to snooze in the great outdoors. Grab a few blankets and head to your backyard. Build a makeshift tent or just lie back and gaze at the stars. Tell ghost stories, search for constellations, and enjoy the fresh air. And if the ground gets a little too hard, you can always head back inside.
With ecoATM cash: It’s s’more time! Pick up chocolate, graham crackers, marshmallows, and a sterno can to create your own mini campfire setup-plus a few skewers for roasting. (Pro tip: soak wooden skewers in water to keep them from burning.)
Hit the Books
Free: Nothing beats a good book, and summer reading programs are a staple for kids and adults alike. Check out your local library to see what they offer or join the Barnes & Noble summer reading program for a free book. You can also sign kids up for Pizza Hut BOOK IT! (yes, ’90s kids-it’s back) to earn a free personal pizza for hitting reading goals.
With ecoATM cash: Your TBR pile can wait-skip the fiction section and head to the cookbooks. Pick one that looks interesting (or go totally random) and challenge yourself to make something new with groceries bought using your ecoATM cash.
Savor the Sunset
Free: Find a spot with a clear western view and enjoy the kaleidoscope of colors that is a summer sunset. Bring dinner along and turn it into a picnic.
With ecoATM cash: Stop by your favorite craft store for a sketchbook and paints and turn your sunset viewing into an outdoor art session.
Go Exploring
Free: Perfect for kids, set up a scavenger hunt around your neighborhood. Search for colors with toddlers, specific items for older kids, or level up with riddles to keep them guessing.
With ecoATM cash: Add a little friendly competition with small prizes, or make the final stop an ice cream shop and reward the adventure with a sweet treat.
Summer doesn’t have to be expensive to be unforgettable-it just takes a little creativity (and maybe a small cash boost). That old phone collecting dust could be the easiest way to upgrade your plans, whether that means s’mores under the stars, art supplies for sunset painting, or a well-earned ice cream stop. With ecoATM, you can turn unused tech into instant cash at one of thousands of kiosks nationwide-so you can keep the good times going all season long.
