After a busy school year, it’s exciting to go home and do everything you had been putting off during the school year. That is, until you check your bank account. Activities can add up quickly, and most college students are operating on a pretty tight budget. Rising costs are also making it increasingly difficult to go out and have fun. But you don’t always need money to have fun. Here are five hobbies you can try this summer that are free or very inexpensive.
Reading
It sounds boring, but as someone who has gotten back into reading this year, it’s absolutely worth a try. You just need to find the right book for you. Start with something short and light and go from there. I highly recommend Crying in H Mart or Human Acts to get you started.
Garage sale hopping
It can be a bit hard to find garage sales near you at first, but joining a local Facebook group can help. You can also drive around looking for garage sale signs if you have some more time to kill. You would be surprised how many unique items you can find, and at a great price. You can also add an extra layer of fun by picking out specific items you’d like to search for beforehand.
Movie nights with friends
To host movie nights on a budget, you and your friends could rotate who hosts. A few cheap snacks and access to streaming services are all you need.
Swimming
Swimming is a great way to explore your hometown by trying to find new places to swim. Whether it’s lakes, neighborhood pools, or public pools, you can easily find new places you’ve never been.
Explore your local library
It is surprising what you can find at a library beyond just books. My local library has board games, video games, and even baking supplies, like uniquely shaped cake pans. Take a day to explore your library and see what you can find. If your library is anything like mine, you can find multiple activities to try. Many libraries also offer free passes to other attractions in your city that you can check out just like books. For example, I can rent a pass to the zoo or the local botanical gardens through my local library.