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Summer is approaching with the haste of runaway train. Kids will soon be littering the streets and just about every place you go with the family is going to be packed to the brim with tons of other families looking to enjoy themselves on a hot summer day.
On top of the crowds, it seems that everything to do during the summer costs exponentially more than it does during any other time of the year. Water parks, Disneyland , sporting events – they can all be frightfully expensive. Heck, even a trip to the movie theatre for a family of four can cost up to $100 when you factor in snacks. That’s a lot of cash for a single outing. Luckily, we’ve got a few ways to have fun with the whole family and keep most of that moola in your wallet.
1. Have a picnic. Take a trip to the local park, lay out a blanket, and enjoy a relaxing day out in the sun with some homemade food. The kids can go crazy on the playground and it won’t cost you anything more than the price of the food.
2. Take a trip to the beach or the lake. It’s similar to the picnic idea, although parking at beaches can be a bit pricey depending on where you’re going. You may even be able to turn the voyage into a two or three day camping trip, which is another great, frugal idea.
3. Organize a neighborhood softball game and barbeque. What in the world is more fun than a mid-summer ball game with friends and family? Top of the day by having a barbeque afterwards. These are great for summer weekends.
There are tons of ways to save cash if you just put some thought into it. Let us know if you have any additional ideas! See you later!
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
and pack sandwiches
We like to do movies at the dollar theater in the summer; but we don’t buy food/drinks there ever (waaay too expensive these days).
Neither do we. We usually will eat before we do. Or get something on the way home. Either way, it saves on food/drinks
FREE museums, zoos, and botanical gardens http://museums.bankofamerica.com/
FREE Movies at the Theater http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx
U Pick It Farms, http://www.pickyourown.org/
This website provides local listings of pick your own (also called U-pick or PYO) farms in the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and other countries.
Make a water slide out of a long piece of heavy plastic and dish soap
have your kids write a play/skit. Get used clothes that are going to Goodwill or Salvation Army anyway and have them make their own costumes and dress up and put up a show for the parents and other family members
geocaching.com
Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment.
free kids workshops at home depot
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentView?pn=Kids_Workshops&catalogId=10053&storeId=10051&langId=-1
Free kids work shops at Lowes
http://lowesbuildandgrow.com/
YMCA free pool days… check with your local YMCA for more info….
family bike nights = in the evening when it is still light out, bike around the neighborhood
FREE Symphony nights during the summer…
http://blog.detroitsymphony.com/2010/04/detroit-symphony-orchestra-announces-summer-concert-season/
https://www.houstonsymphony.org/concertstickets/viewconcerts/2010-2011season/summerconcerts/symphonynights.aspx... See More
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances/
Ethnic nights- talk about the country, find pictures about it, and then pretend we are from there one night, making up stories of how we spent our day, eating food from there (we make it together), etc.
Water gun and water balloon fights
Kids Bowl FREE – kidsbowlfree.com
Rock hounding or leaf hunting
Make pinatas…great use for all those newspapers and use them for birthdays later
Go to your local train depot
Free Reading programs at the library
Shove sticks in yogurt cups, right through the foil lid. Dip in warm water to release and you have a frozen yogurt! The kids love them
Backyard camping! Pitch a tent, light a fire (if you can), and play all the games you would do if you were really camping… the kids will love it! Tell them they can only go inside for the bathroom.
The Cincinnati Art Museum’s free
Mount Adams/Eden Park
If you have an annual sticker for the Hamilton Parks District ($3 a year?) you may consider Parky’s Farm at Winton Woods or the historic village at Sharon Woods.
Start a worm farm/ worm compost indoor with plastic container. Kids can learn about the benefits of composting and you can use the compost for their garden
volunteer at the SPCA by walking the dogs or playing with kittens to socialize them
Get big boxes and let the kids attach them to make a maze or whatever they want.
State Parks “Junior Rangers” offer great free programs
http://kids.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=22783
Set up one of those sprinklers that moves and make an obstacle course
going to a pond for feeding the ducks and/or fishing
FREE waterparks
http://franklin.thefuntimesguide.com/2007/06/nashville_spraygrounds.php
FREE things to do in North America
http://freethingstodo.about.com/od/freethingsunitedstates/Free_Things_to_Do_in_North_America.htm
geez!