Your Ultimate (Fridge-Worthy) Summer Bucket List
Free or Cheap Family Activities in Chestermere and Langdon
You don’t need to spend big bucks to make summer memories. We’ve rounded up 40 budget-friendly ideas to keep your crew busy, happy, and mostly sane. Want to keep it simple? Download the printable Summer Bucket List, stick it on your fridge, and check things off as you go. Need more details or ideas? This article has you covered with links, tips, and local gems.
Picnic at Sunset Park: Pack up sandwiches, juice boxes, and a blanket. Bonus points for spotting pelicans on the lake.
Day at Anniversary Beach: Dig holes, build sandcastles, and let the kids cannonball into the lake.
Library Shenanigans: Both Chestermere and Langdon libraries offer free summer programs
Backyard Camping: Pitch a tent, roast some marshmallows (or cheat with the microwave), and tell ghost stories without the mosquitoes of the backwoods.
Visit a Farmers’ Market: Wander the stalls, let the kids pick a treat, and grab some local honey or fresh berries.
DIY Craft Day: Raid the junk drawer and glue gun some “masterpieces.” Paper towel roll binoculars, anyone?
Nature Scavenger Hunt: Create a checklist, pinecone, feather, something red, something weird, and hit a local park.
Local Festivals & Fairs: Watch for events like Chestermere Music Fest or Langdon Days. Free entertainment, food trucks, and chaos for the kids.
Stargazing at Weed Lake: Grab some lawn chairs and see what constellations you can find. Great on clear nights (and free!).
Volunteer as a Fam: Clean up a park, help at a local fundraiser, or pitch in at the food bank. Teachable moments, right there. Find some local volunteer opportunities here.
Backyard Olympics: Think three-legged races, sponge tosses, or hula hoop challenges.
Outdoor Movie Night: Hang a sheet, borrow a projector, pop popcorn. Bonus points for ‘80s classics and bug spray.
Visit a Petting Zoo or Farm: Check out Cobb’s Adventure Park, the Calgary Farmyard, Butterfield Acres or pop over to Kayben Farms in Okotoks for budget-friendly barnyard fun.
Public Pool Day: Calgary and area spray parks keep the kiddos cool and entertained.
Kite Flying: Catch a breeze at Prairie Waters School fields or just behind Langdon Park.
Fishing Off the Dock: Toss a line in Chestermere Lake or check out the Kids Can Catch pond at the Bow Habitat Station.
Family Game Night: Dust off Monopoly, break out Uno, or go full retro with Twister.
Geocaching: Chestermere and Langdon both have hidden treasures waiting to be found. All you need is a smartphone and a sense of adventure.
Garden Together: Plant some tomatoes or start a sunflower race. Let the kids name the plants for extra laughs.
Walk & Talk: Wander the canal pathway (and don’t forget to stop at the Chestermere Rotary Club’s edible forest). It’s low effort and high-quality time.
DIY Water Park: Slip-n-slide, water balloon dodgeball, and sponge tag. Just prepare to get soaked.
Bird Watching: Grab binoculars and check out local feathered friends at the lake or pathway wetlands.
Chalk It Up: Cover the driveway in doodles, obstacle courses, or hopscotch.
Backyard Sports Day: Soccer shootouts, beanbag toss, hula hoop contests, winner gets bragging rights (and a freezie).
Visit a Botanical Garden: Try the Reader Rock Garden in Calgary, small, free, and full of Insta-worthy flowers.
Potluck BBQ Bash: Invite the neighbours, share the grill, and let the kids go wild while you talk over a cold drink.
DIY Mini Golf: Use pool noodles, plastic cups, and whatever’s in the garage. Guaranteed giggles.
Neighbourhood Photo Hunt: Take goofy family selfies at local landmarks. Make it a challenge and post the best shot.
Make a Family Cookbook: Let the kids help make (and name) their favourite meals. “Nana’s Cheesy Noodle Surprise,” anyone?
Public Art Stroll: From murals in Langdon to lakeside sculptures in Chestermere, there’s more than you think.
Backyard Science Lab: Try baking soda volcanos, DIY slime, or homemade bubbles. YouTube has your back.
Build a Fort: Inside with pillows or outside with lawn chairs and old sheets. Add flashlights for bonus adventure.
Try a New Park: Hop in the car and “park hop” around town. Sometimes a new slide is all it takes.
Family Talent Show: Lip-sync battles, dad jokes, and questionable magic tricks. Prepare to be wowed.
Play Tourist: Pretend you’re new here, visit the coffee shops, grab a snack at a bakery, walk the docks, check out that weird sculpture you always drive past.
Build a Fort: Construct an indoor or outdoor fort using blankets, sheets, and cushions.
Explore a New Neighborhood: Spend a day exploring a different part of your city or town, trying new parks, cafes, and shops.
Never miss out on what’s happening in Chestermere, Langdon, and nearby.
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