When everything seems to be so expensive, you’re on a tight budget or you just don’t want to spend money, fun doesn’t always have to be sacrificed.

I asked readers on social media what free activities they like to do in Scarborough when they’re trying not to spend money. Here’s what they said:

1. HIKE AND WALK

The most recommended activity was hiking and walking on Scarborough’s many trails. From the Eastern Trail to the Scarborough Land Trust’s nine properties, there are plenty of places to enjoy a nice walk. The trails are also perfect for wildlife watching and birding.

Readers specifically recommended Fuller Farm Preserve, Warren Woods, Pleasant Hill Preserve and the Eastern Trail.

While you’re walking, you might as well pick up any litter you see around you. You get to enjoy the fresh air, add some stretching to your walk and make your community a better place — all for free!

2. HAVE FUN AT THE BEACH

If you’re fortunate enough to live in a town with beaches, take advantage of it as often as possible. In the spring, it’s warm enough to enjoy a walk in the sand before the tourist season. Look for sea glass and tide pools, or just listen and watch the waves roll in, readers said.

3. EXPLORE THE MARSH

If you live in Scarborough, you’re also fortunate enough to live in a town with the largest contiguous tidal marsh system in the state.

One reader said they like to play poohsticks over the bridge on the Eastern Trail crossing the marsh (described in a Winnie-the-Pooh book, the game involves dropping sticks on the upstream side of the bridge, racing to the other side of the bridge and seeing which stick emerges first from under the bridge). Another reader enjoys skipping rocks by the marsh.

Starting May 13, you can meet Noah Gibb at 8 a.m. the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center (92 Pine Point Road) for the weekly bird walks on Wednesdays. Binoculars are available to borrow, and all levels of bird watchers are welcome.

4. PLAY AT PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS

Go to the skateboard park at Memorial Park (5 Durant Drive), and then check out the fountains, gazebos, trails and athletic fields while you’re there. Head to some of Scarborough’s other parks, like Black Point Park, Spring Brook Sports Complex, and Willey Sports Complex, for playgrounds, baseball fields, soccer fields and a community garden.

Scarborough Community Services also offers a variety of activities, classes and programs for kids of all ages and adults.

5. HANG OUT AT THE LIBRARY

Almost every day, you can find a fun event at Scarborough Public Library, from game nights to crafting events to walking groups. You can also check out unusual items like a telescope or adventure backpacks, play on the library’s Minecraft server, use a tablet or computer and watch movies. Or you can simply read.

6. HAVE A PICNIC

When the weather is nice, pack up your food, grab a blanket and transform your meal into a little adventure with a picnic. With the marsh, beaches and many parks, there are plenty of places to sit outside, enjoy the spring weather and people-watch while eating your meal.

7. STAR GAZE

If you’re already at the park with a blanket for your picnic, you might as well wait for nightfall to watch the stars.

8. RIDE YOUR BIKE

This one is also self-explanatory. But if you don’t have a bike, you can rent an e-bike at Scarborough Public Library.

9. GO GEOCACHING

Turn a walk into an adventure by finding geocaches — hidden waterproof containers — using GPS coordinates online. It’s like a global hide-and-seek game, with geocaches hidden around the world.

10. FLY A KITE, FISH, OR GO KAYAKING

These activities require some equipment, but if you already have a kite, fishing gear or kayak, readers recommended them as fun and still relatively cheap ways to enjoy the outdoors.

If you want to see what other activities readers recommended or let me know what other guides I should write, follow me on Nextdoor. In the comments, write some more recommendations for free activities in Scarborough.