Memorial Day, which honors the brave men and women who serve our country, tends to be the kick-off to summer.

The weather is warming up and students everywhere are done with school.

And since everyone gets off for Memorial Day, it’s generally the perfect time to get together with family and friends to participate in some long-awaited summer activities.

However, depending on your plans, Memorial Day can become an added expense you weren’t necessarily planning on when you created your budget for the month.

Instead of spending hundreds on a trip or extravagant event, try one of these fun and inexpensive ways to Celebrate Memorial Day.

Go to the Pool or Beach

This is one activity that’s typically free of charge.

If you live near the beach, now’s the perfect time to grab your towel, pack some snacks and a cooler, and go sink your toes in the sand. Once you’re there you can relax and unwind, or start a game of sand volleyball with friends.

If you’re landlocked like I am, the pool is your best option. If you have a friend who lives in an apartment complex, they most likely have a pool, or you could check friends’ neighborhoods as well.

If all else fails, you can still put on your swimsuit, grab some friends and have a mock pool party or luau in your Backyard or on the rooftop.

Have a Backyard Campout

You don’t have to live near the mountains to have a campout. You can grab your tent and sleeping bags and make an inexpensive fire pit to complete the experience in your own backyard.

Spend time cooking by the fire, roasting marshmallows, and spending quality time with those around you. Then, once the sun sets, you can spread out a blanket and enjoy the night sky until it’s time for bed.

Have a Potluck Cookout

Having a backyard BBQ is the perfect Memorial Day activity, and it’s what I do every year. However, if you put it on by yourself, it can get rather pricey. So instead of buying all the supplies on your own, make it a potluck.

Invite friends and family and put each person in charge of bringing a meat, dish, drinks or utensils. You might even consider making a list so everyone brings something different.

Another way to save on your backyard BBQ is to make it BYOB. Drinks can add up quickly if you are providing them for all of your guests.

Throw on some music, set up some yard games and you’ll have a fantastic and budget-friendly party in no time!

Celebrate Memorial Day on a #budget with these fun activities!
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Go on a Picnic

Most towns have a park or two to visit, and there’s no better way to spend a lovely, early summer day than at the park. So pack a big blanket and a meal to go, and head to the nearest state or town park.

Whether you make it a romantic picnic for two or a fun get together for all your friends, a picnic can be a great way to fill your day.

And considering the setting, the park is a great spot to play a pick-up game of Frisbee or volleyball, or any of the other many outdoor games you can think of. Depending on where you live, there may even be preplanned events going on already.

Have a Summer Movie Marathon

I don’t know about you, but sitting down for a day of movies can be the most fun for me when I take a day off. The best part is you can even do this outside so you still enjoy the nice weather.

All you need is a sheet and a rented or borrowed projector and you’ll have your own outdoor theater. If you have to rent equipment, have everyone in the group chip in so the cost stays low. And of course, if the weather is a little dreary, you can host the marathon indoors.

Have everyone bring their favorite movie snacks, pop some popcorn, and pick a variety of summer themed hits; think The Sandlot, Now and Then, A League of Their Own, Weekend at Bernie’s, The Graduate and so many more!

If you don’t feel like putting on the production yourself, you can also look for nearby drive-in movie theaters to get the outdoor experience.

Celebrate Locally

One of the easiest and best things you can do is look in your local newspaper or search online for special events for the holiday. Many cities, big and small, offer free and fun Memorial Day events.

You can find everything from great outdoor events at nearby parks, BBQs, and even festivals or family swim events at pools around the city.

Restaurants also use this day to offer Memorial Day specials, which can be fun if you tend to keep eating out to a minimum. You’ll also find services at various locations honoring those who have served our country.

Pay Tribute

Of course, you can’t Celebrate Memorial Day without remembering what the day is really about. More than anything, it’s a day to remember those who lost their lives serving our country in order to keep us safe and preserve our country’s freedom.

You could write a letter or create a care package to send to our troops, or send an email or letter to a family with a fallen soldier. As I mentioned earlier, you could also participate in one of the many Memorial Day services many towns hold throughout your community. Whatever you chose, there are plenty of ways to pay tribute to our troops.

You don’t have to go on some extravagant trip or plan a large, expensive party to celebrate Memorial Day. Sometimes, having a simple get-together with friends in your own backyard or community can be the most fun.

By using the resources around you and finding the hidden gems in your own town, you can have a successful and fun day all while staying on budget. And, at the end of the day, what’s more important is remembering why you’re celebrating in the first place.

How do you celebrate Memorial Day? What are some of your favorite outdoor activities?