Some of us have pretty amazing communities. If you haven’t explored your’s I encourage you to get lost in your own town and neighboorhoos with the 1 month left of summer. I’m in love with mine, but it takes exploring it! And most of the fun is FREE!

Some of the free-ish summer things I’m about to talk about might seem like no brainer things to do. But sometimes I like to remind myself how awesome and affordable they can be on a summer day. No matter where you live you can find and implement some of these local summer spots for free-ish. What do I mean by free-ish? Affordable basically if you do it the right way. Keep scrolling, and let me share some summertime free-ish best practices for local fun with a family of 5!

Find a Farmers Market

Here in the Issaquah Washington area we are blessed with a’ plenty of Farmer’s Markets nearby. The Issauquah Market 2019 Season is every Saturdays, May 4 to Sept. 28 9 a.m.-2 p.m., rain or shine. Check out a list near Issaquah here >> . If you don’t live near Issaquah google ‘farmers market near (put in your zip code)’ that should get you a map and list of markets near you.

For us , we love to go to summer farmer’s markets for lot’s of reasons! Often times there is free music, we discover cool local businesses we never thought of before, we support our local growers , we stroll and walk earlier in the morning and that set’s up for a nice Saturday, we get to see what fruits, vegtables, flowers and meats are in season and teach the kids about healthy food and lifestyle. AND! I love the vibe and energy at a farmers market.

Why it’s free-ish: You might be saying… a farmer’s market is NOT free. Well there is a way to do it to make it more affordable.

1. Eat a big breakfast before you go. I’m talking eggs, bacon, fruit, make pancakes for the kids all that good stuff. You know where I’m going with this… that way you won’t be shopping with your stomach!
2. Have everyone find change and put it in a coin purse before you leave. Count the change up and whatever you have can be your budget. You would be surprised how much $$ you guys can dig up just by looking around the house and in your car! If you really don’t have change, concentrate on the #1 item that is a treat for everyone and stick to that. For us it’s usually a ‘treat’ like buying peaches, or Rainier cherries, or cookies from the local Forest Fairy Bakery tent.

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Find Local Water

Lucky for us finding natural water really isn’t that hard to do here in Issaquah, Washington BUT it doesn’t have to be that hard even if you live in a desert like New Mexico where I am from (think Rio Grande, private or public pools (we loved ours at the YMCA) splash parks and lakes like Pecos Lake near Albuquerque!).

I have lived in Issaquah 4 years and I’m still discovering new water spots to take the kids! From lakes, rivers, streams, even splash parks are a great idea on a summer day and most places don’t charge.

Why this is free-ish: If you visit a local natural water spot – chances are you will need a WA Discovery Pass. That is $30 but it will last you all year long. Pay once and all subsequent visits are ‘free’.

My favorite local natural water spots are

• Pine and Beaver Lakes (see my previous blogs on both)
• Lake Sammamish (parks surround it (Main Lake Samammish Park, Vasar Park, Idlewood)
• Issaquah Creek! (pull up some chairs along confluence park and have the ability to go Historic Downtown at a moments notice)
• Hiking Twin Falls or Frankflin Falls offers some amazing water running along side the hikes from the river (see my blogs on those!)

Find your local splash pad wading pools! Not natural water but still pretty fun! Click here to access the list of local public water areas like pools, splash parks etc.,

1. Baby pool – even for older kids this can be a blast! We have skirt gun or water balloon wars with our baby pool!
2. Spalsh parks are always fun! Even for adults. We like to let the kids get wet at the Redmond Town Square shopping center. We don’t even plan it really, the kids will dry off so quick! Just go with it! Here is a list of local splash parks for the Issaquah Area.
3. Find a public pool! Not an easy task in Washington for some reason.

Park Hopping Strolling & Neighborhood Hiking

Get lost for hours in your own neighborhood or town! And if yours isn’t great – just drive to a cool neighborhood. We do this thing called park hopping with the kids where we map out the parks we want to walk to and I set a timer for 15 minutes when we get there, when the time is up we walk to another park. It’s such a great way to spend the day and then after everyone get’s ice cream. Remember to bring snacks and lots of water.

Another thing that is really fun is neighborhood hiking. A little different than park hopping. We choose hills, stairs, back woods areas of the neighborhood to tackle. The way down feels sooo good and so does the nap in the air conditioner afterwards.

Find your local downtown event listings! “music on the green” and all that good stuff.

Okay Issaquah – only 1 more month of summer and we live in the coolest dang place ever. Lot’s of free summer things happening! Here is a list! Mark your calendar. If you don’t live in issquah just google “summer events in XXXX” that should bring up your town association page.

FREE! Issquah Events in August I’m looking forward to:

• August 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th – Gas Station Blues! This one is really fun at the Historic Shell Station and they serve BBQ and beer! You can’t go wrong. Pet’s are allowed also. Eddie did okay – but this week we aren’t taking him. Bring your own chairs or something to sit on. Sit back and listen to the blues. They also park the trolly there so the kids can sit in it. Soooo fun! We will be back every Thursday this month if I can! Perfect unwind after work thing. 7p
• August 25th – Confluence Park Jazz Music in the Park – Can’t wait for this one, Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy this FREE concert in the park. Rogue Brewhouse will host a beer & brat garden, the event will also include food vendor(s), a kids activity zone and vendors.
• August 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th – Concerts on the Green. This even is bigger than the Gas Station Blues, with a bigger stage and set up… but no alcohol or pet’s. Bands play every Tuesday night from 7pm -9pm
• August 24th – GAME ON! Issaquah Highlands! HIghlands day has a retro arcade theme this year! To prepare we will be watching Adam Sandler’s Pixels. This one should be fun they plan to have on-stage game show’s for prizes, lot’s of food vendor’s and of course jumpy house everything for the kids I’m sure. The summer wouldn’t be complete without going to this. While not ‘free’ – my advise is have a big brunch and then go – avoid at least buying food and let the kids play games instead.