45 Spring Activities on a Budget
The vernal equinox (March 19th in 2024) marks the end of a long, cold winter — ushering in feelings of growth and renewal. Hallmarks of the season include Easter egg hunts, planting flowers, and just getting outside to enjoy the weather.
If you’re set on making the most of the season, take a look at the list we’ve compiled below for fun spring activities — consider it your key to enjoying all that springtime has to offer without breaking the bank.
45 spring activities on a budget
Plus, here’s a quick video tip to make your spring activities list even more fun!
1. Enjoy the flowers.
Springtime is when flowers begin to bloom — take this time to enjoy the daffodils, poppies, and cherry blossoms!
2. Relish a rainy day.
April showers bring May flowers, right? This season is the perfect time to enjoy a lazy day at home relaxing as the rain falls. Crack a book open or listen to relaxing music to increase the ambience.
3. Go for a hike.
If you live in a hotter climate, the mild temperatures of the spring season can offer perfect hiking conditions. Get out there and explore!
4. Run in the rain.
Going for a run in the rain is a great way to embrace the spring weather and enjoy a refreshing cleanse while exercising — just be careful on slippery asphalt!
5. Catch a baseball game.
This time of the year also marks the beginning of baseball season! Whether your city has an MLB team or a single-A squad, go catch a game!
6. Start a garden.
Whether you plan on planting flowers or veggies, starting a garden can provide a wonderful hobby during the spring months — and on into summer!
7. Take a road trip.
Enjoy the open road during the springtime by taking a road trip — who knows where the road will take you!
8. Visit your local farmer’s market.
Buying your produce from the farmer’s market helps growers in your area — and provides you with amazing fruits and vegetables. Check it out!
9. Jump in a few puddles.
Seriously! Channel your inner child and splash around in a few puddles this season — it might feel better than you’d think.
10. Have a scavenger hunt.
Whether you celebrate Easter or not, a good old-fashioned scavenger hunt can provide a great opportunity to have fun in the nice weather.
11. Take a trip for spring break.
Unless you’re a boisterous college student, you may want to look beyond Panama City Beach or Cancun for that ultimate spring getaway.
12. Visit your local zoo.
Who doesn’t love baby animals? The zoo is a great place to see the newborns from the winter and observe the inherent beauty of wild animals.
13. Celebrate Earth Day.
Earth Day falls every year on April 22nd. Want to celebrate and learn more? Here’s how.
14. Go for a bike ride.
There’s nothing like feeling the breeze and the sunshine on your face while you ride a bike — it’s the perfect spring activity.
15. Get down with some spring cleaning.
Wait, this is a list of fun activities, right? While it may not seem fun, the joy of a pristinely clean home is hard to top.
16. Wash your car.
Break out the hose and suds and give your ride a bath. If you live in a traditional winter climate, salt from the road can wreak havoc on your finish!
17. Bathe the dog.
While you’re at it, you can give your pup a bath, too. Dogs can carry pollen and other allergens on their coat, which can exacerbate spring allergies.
18. Go for a walk.
There are few pleasures as simple and effectively relaxing as going for a nice stroll — there’s no time like the spring for a good walk.
19. Get into bird-watching.
Local nature preserves can offer wonderful bird-watching opportunities, where you can observe local species in their natural habitats.
20. Blow some bubbles.
A classic, enjoyable activity, blowing bubbles provides springtime fun for the whole family.
21. Make a mural with sidewalk chalk.
Channel your inner Michelangelo and create a masterpiece on your driveway or sidewalk with colorful sidewalk chalk!
22. Enjoy a cup of coffee outside.
Spring mornings are serene, tranquil, and chill — the perfect place to enjoy your morning coffee. Sit outside and enjoy it.
23. Meditate under a blooming tree.
Whether it’s a cherry blossom, dogwood, or magnolia tree, sitting under one while meditating can provide you with a daily sense of zen.
24. Watch the Masters’ Championship.
The iconic golf tournament is a hallmark of springtime — you can watch the best in the world compete for the prestigious green jacket!
25. Go kayaking.
Get out on the water and enjoy the view of the land from your local lake or river on a kayak. It’s great exercise and calming on the water.
26. Go DIY on your outdoor space.
Spring, summer, and fall give us tons of opportunities to be outside — use this season to spruce up your outdoor living space and make it a space you love!
27. Take a nature walk.
Hit a park or natural area close to home and just walk! If you have children, this could be a great way to collect pinecones or look for bird’s nests, and teach your child about nature.
28. Celebrate Mom.
Mother’s Day falls on May 12th this year — take your mom (or any mom) out for dinner or give her a card! Also, don’t forget to let your friends who are mothers know what they mean to you.
29. Have a spring-themed party.
Invite your friends, decorate your space with flowers and greenery, and celebrate the season with music and dancing!
30. Watch a lacrosse game.
Lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in North America — catch a college or high school game and see what the hype is all about.
31. Invite friends over for a barbecue.
Gas or charcoal; beef ribs or vegan seitan — having a barbecue is a rite of passage in the spring and summer months. There’s no better way to gather with friends and enjoy the weather.
32. Go for a swim.
There are plenty of health benefits associated with taking a dip in cold water. Jump in at your local watering hole — but never go alone!
33. Pick wildflowers.
Whether you’re picking bluebonnets in Texas or crocuses in New York, picking spring flowers is a fun spring activity and can make your house smell wonderful!
34. Kick a soccer ball around.
With the English Premier League entering its final stretch and the MLS just kicking off, spring is a great time to get in the spirit and kick a soccer ball with a friend.
35. Go fishing.
Whether you go first thing in the morning or at dusk when the walleye are biting, casting a few lines out and catching fish is a fun way to enjoy the beauty of spring.
36. See a live band outdoors.
As winter winds down and the weather warms up, we can anticipate catching bands we love at outdoor venues. See who’s playing and get out there!
37. Work outside.
The spring weather makes it easy to get outside — if you work with a laptop and have a stable internet connection, bring your work outdoors!
38. Get to the park.
Find a local park and make it your spot! You can throw a frisbee with your pup, play on the playground, or simply go for a stroll to clear your mind.
39. Eat some ice cream.
Like we need an excuse, right? While we often think of eating ice cream as a summer activity, it’s pretty darn tasty year-round.
40. Visit a local arboretum.
If your city has an arboretum, spring is a wonderful time to visit. The collection of trees is always unique and fun to see, and they can flower in the spring!
41. Have a picnic with your pals.
Enjoying a picnic at the park is another fun thing you can do in the spring. Pack some sandwiches, dips, and drinks, and bring a Bluetooth speaker for some music!
42. Go skateboarding.
The snow and salt make skateboarding in the winter impossible. When spring comes and the good weather sticks around, push your board around town and enjoy the freedom and rush that comes with it!
43. Exercise outdoors.
Take advantage of the lovely spring weather and workout outdoors. You can go for a run, do push-ups and dips, or practice yoga outside.
44. Skip rocks on the river.
Find a flat stone, throw it sidearm, and see how many times you can get it to skip across the water!
45. Get a game of Wiffle ball going.
Grab a few Wiffle balls, a bat, and a group of friends and get a game going. This baseball alternative is easy and ensures no broken windows!
Bonus: Spring clean your finances.
You can do things the hard way and enter all your income, bills, and savings goals in a spreadsheet, or just pick up Quicken Simplifi and let the app do the work for you!
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