I love the extra time summer brings for family fun but I have a confession: I’m cheap. Okay maybe not always but when I can be – I am. Here are a few cheap ways I found to have summer fun in and around Fayetteville!
Free
Screen On The Green and Food Truck Rodeo – Spring Lake, NC
Screen On The Green is offered by Spring Lake Recreation and Parks the second Friday of each month throughout the summer. Held at Mendoza Park, this Free event offers a movie screening on the baseball field and 2-3 food trucks.
Getting our summer fun started with @springlakenc #ScreenOnTheGreen showing of @blackpanther _ The fun takes place each 2nd Friday this summer. July’s movie will be @jumanjimovie August with be @pixarcoco _ #NOTSponsored #Summer #SummerFun #SummerNights #LoveMyLife #LoveMyKiddies #MyNC #TheMrsTee
I attended the June 8th screening of Black Panther and my Kiddies are already asking me when we can go back!
Upcoming Shows: Start 7pm End 10pm
July 13th: Jumanji – Watch The Jumanji Trailer
August 10th: Coco – Watch The Coco Trailer
Cost: FREE To Attend *Just bring money for the food trucks
TIPS: Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets
4th Friday – Cool Spring Downtown District – Fayetteville, NC
Imagine an entire night of family friendly fun that includes exploring shops, tasting amazing food and getting to know your community. Cool Spring Downtown District has taken that idea and made it a reality with 4th Friday.
4th Friday happens every fourth Friday of the month with the purpose of shining a spotlight on the businesses surrounding the historical MarketHouse up and down Hay and Person Street while building the strength of the community.
Past 4th Friday themes have included Flashback To The 80s, Dancing In The Streets and Zombie Walk.
Upcoming Events: Start 6pm – End 9pm
Like on Facebook to learn about Upcoming 4th Friday Events
Cost: 4th Friday Events are always FREE To Attend. *Bring Money To Eat/Shop
Tips: Explore beyond the main streets. Take a walk down Anderson, Person, Maxwell, etc.
Fayetteville After 5 – Fayetteville Dogwood Festival
Fayetteville After 5 takes place every 2nd Friday from May to August at Festival Park. This family friendly event features amazing live musical performances, food trucks and most of all community. *No outside food allowed.
Upcoming Events: Gates Open 5pm · Acts beginning between 6 & 7pm End 10:30/11pm
View The 2018 After 5 Lineup
Cost: FREE To Attend
Tips: Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets · Arrive early to get a good spot on the lawn for the concert
Dirtbag Ales Farmers Market – Hope Mills, NC
One of my favorite ways to spend a Sunday with the family is at the Dirtbag Ales Farmers Market.
The DBA Farmers Market is meant to be a gathering place where local producers can connect with their community and share their passions. Families can learn from their farmers and begin to connect with how their food is produced. This marketplace welcomes everyone of all ages and backgrounds and encourages them to reconnect with the community they call home. – Sustainable Sandhills
Upcoming Events: 10am – 2pm Sundays
Follow Dirtbag Ales Farmers Market For Weekly Details
Cost: FREE To Attend *Bring money to shop and eat
Tips: Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets
Lake Rim Park Summer Fun
The Lake Rim Park Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt is a fun way to get outside and have a bit of fun as a family. Just pick up a worksheet from the office to start exploring the park. Great for all ages!
Upcoming Events: Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm
Go Online for more Lake Rim Events
Cost: FREE
Tips: Bring Water · Wear sun screen and comfortable shoes
Kids Workshops – Home Depot
Did you know your local Home Depot offers workshops for both adults and kids? From DIY to crafts you can take the boredom out of a summer weekend and have fun while doing it.
“All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Children must be present at the store to participate in the workshop and receive the kit, apron, and pin.”
Upcoming Events: July 7 9am – 12pm
Cost: FREE
Tips: Visit HomeDepot.com to PreRegister for workshops
$10 Or Less
Kids Classes – Michael’s
Much like Home Depot, Michael’s craft store offers several classes for kids throughout the year. Most are below $10 to cover project supplies.
Check for your local classes on Michaels.com
Bull Riding On The Farm – Shady Acres Rodeo, Hope Mills, NC
“Each Sunday Shady Acres Rodeo, a self-sustaining farm, hosts a bull-riding event. Bring your friends and family out to enjoy watching some bull riding (or take your own turn on a bull). Event times fluctuate from week to week. Call ahead or refer to Facebook to confirm hours, or to inquire about the rules and terms of participation.” – Visit Fayetteville
Follow on Facebook for Weekly Updates
Cost: $5 Per Spectator *Children FREE
Tips: No Food or Beverages Sold. You can bring your own chairs. You can cookout.
Fayetteville Swamp Dogs – Baseball
Take me out to the ball game!! That’s right you can enjoy a Fayetteville Swamp Dogs game with ticket prices under $10 per person! I was shocked when I discovered this and already have plans to make our way to the field this summer.
Upcoming Game Schedule
Cost: Box Seats: $9.00 · General Admission: $8.00 · General Admission Military & Law Enforcement: $7.00
Tips: Bring extra money for Concessions
Summer Show Series – Omni Cinemas 8, Spring Lake, NC
Omni Cinemas is one of my favorite places to have fun with the Kiddies and keep my budget loving Hubby happy. Movies are $2 year round and you can always find a great deal for snacks.
During the summer months Omni sis making my wallet even happier with their Summer Show Series where tickets drop to $1!
Starting June 12 through August 23rd
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday 10am and 10:30am shows
All Staff Free / Adults With Paying Child Free!
$1.00 Drink & $1.00 Popcorn ($0.50 refill with receipt and original containers)
Kid Meal: Popcorn, Drink & Candy $4.50
B&B Bowling – Fayetteville, NC
A night of bowling is always a way to bring a few smiles to my family and B&B Bowling Lanes makes that easy! Rates vary by days and times so be sure to check out B&B Bowling Online for details. Check out their Specials for even more summer savings!
Round-A-Bout Skating – Fayetteville, NC
Roller skating is another instant fave with my Kiddies that’s Round-A-Bout Skating with two locations here in Fayetteville is definitely going to be added into our summer fun rotation.
Summer Skate: July 2nd – August 25th · 1:30 – 4pm
Cost: $5 Admission $2 Skate Rental
Tips: Bring money for snacks
$20 Or Less
JPs Jump Masters – Fayetteville, NC
There is no better way to let your kids burn off a bit of energy than getting their jump on! JPs Jump Masters is the perfect way to get out the house for a few hours and have fun that lasts!
Monday – Thursday
Cost: 30 min $8 · 1 hr $13 · 1.5 hr $18
Tips: JPs’ Jumping Socks are Required (Cost $2) · Fill Out Waivers Online · Arrive 15 mins before your time slot
What’s your favorite cheap way to have a bit of summer fun?
- The ‘Dirt’ on Dirty Whiskey Craft Cocktail Bar - August 6, 2021
- I Never Went To Prom – Will A Fashion Show Do? - May 1, 2021
- Cape Fear Regional Theatre – Best In The House - May 1, 2021
8 thoughts on “Cheap Summer Fun In & Around Fayetteville, NC”
I love a list that will help me save my coins! Can’t wait to get back to Fay with my crew.
Me too!! I’ll be using this all summer myself…LOL Hope to see you soon 😉
Oh my goodness, there’s so much fun to be had in your neck of the woods! I want to join.
I love cheap fun, especially with three kiddos. 🙂
Right?!?! Cheap is always best with a larger family. I fall in love with this city more and more… 😉 Maybe you’ll be able to visit some day!
These sound like such good ways to spend the summer evenings! I love cheap/free things too. 🙂 Summer outdoor movies are always a win in my book.
Thanks Kate!! This was our first outdoor movie and we loved it – definitely not our last 😉
Close by and cheap will get me there sooner than later. Thanks for.the list. We do alot of the same things ,especially with arts n crafts at Michaels. Recently she made a really cute birdhouse..
Same!! You’re so welcome! That’s so cool. I am gonna get my Kiddies signed up soon . . .