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With summer approaching and the school year ending, it's finally time to enjoy the warm weather. With the economy in rough shape, many families do not have the money to go on a tropical vacation, but that doesn't mean the summer can't be fun.

There are many things to do during the summer that are cheap, so grab some friends and enjoy these places.

Beach

The beach is always fun. The blinding sun, the sand and that cool water breeze can make any day fantastic, but beaches can be expensive.

For example, Newport Beach charges $20 to park, but if you split the cost among four friends it's not too expensive. Some beaches, like Carson Beach in South Boston, are free. Even if parking at the beach isn't that expensive, what's at the beach can cause you to go broke. Try these tips to economize:

Bring your own food (chips, pretzels) and drinks (soda, water) in a cooler and make sure there is plenty of ice to ensure the drinks remain refreshingly cold.

Make sure to bring your own chairs and umbrellas. At some beaches you can rent these items, but renting costs a lot of money. Also, bring Frisbees, footballs and volleyballs. Team sports are always a fun way to spend time on the beach.

Don't have a new bathing suit? Don't go out and buy one. Instead, buy a stylish cover-up. Cover-ups are less expensive than bathing suits and can be purchased at a variety of stores ranging from Target to Victoria's Secret PINK.

Make sure to bring an mp3 player and a speaker system for entertainment, and always pack plenty of sunscreen.

Parks

Parks are an inexpensive way to have fun with your friends outside. Have each friend bring a food choice for a picnic, such as salad, sandwiches, cookies or fruit. Bring a battery radio for entertainment.

If you love competitive sports, then have a fun field day of games, such as Frisbee, flag football and water balloon fights.

There are many popular and beautiful parks. Capron Park in Attleboro is well-maintained and makes for a great picnic. The Capron Park Zoo is also located there and tickets for Attleboro residents 13 and older are only $3.75.

Colt State Park in Bristol, R.I. - right on the Narragansett Bay - offers grills, picnic areas, boat docks, piers (for salt water fishing), volleyball courts, and jogging and bike trails. And admission is free. Barbeque

Grab some hotdogs, hamburgers, and most importantly, friends, and have a barbeque, preferably at someone's house where there is a pool. Swimming and grilling is always a wonderful combination and it is also cheap. For dessert, make s'mores by a campfire. Buy different kinds of chocolate for the s'mores, such as peanut butter cups, mint patties, or white chocolate.

Movies

Watching movies is always a fun time for friends, especially on those dog days of summer. Tickets to the theater can be expensive, then add popcorn, soda, and sweets to the bill and all of a sudden, the wallet is empty.

There are some cheaper options, though. On Tuesdays, there are ticket discounts, about $3 off, at Showcase Cinema in North Attleboro. Also, be sure to check local papers because there are sometimes free movie screenings at theaters, but seats fill up fast.

Boston

Take a train to Boston where you will find many cheap options for you and your friends. Among them are the Boston Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, Harvard University Art Museum (free on Saturday mornings), Museum of Fine Arts (Wednesdays after 4 p.m. it's "pay-as-you-wish"), and a stroll along Yawkey Way where Fenway Park is located. If you have $12 to spare, you can take a tour of the home of the Red Sox.

Summer doesn't have to be expensive. Everyone is anxious to enjoy the warm weather, but with today's economy, it is much harder to find cheap alternatives for summer activities. If your money's running low, try some of these helpful tips that will make your summer a fantastic one.