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TweetHey, everyone! It’s Fern. I was at my book club last night, and I got to talking with some of the other moms about what families can do for some easy, low-cost fun during the summer (”A Million Little Pieces” just wasn’t holding our attention). We came up with some great ideas. What do you think?
Plan a ’staycation’ (a “stay at home vacation”). For example, use the backyard pool and attending local events and activities. Using vacation to stay in your own area is a great idea because you’ll save on airfare and hotels. Research what you can do within a 50 mile radius. Is there a museum you want to visit? What about a lake, river, or the ocean? Maybe playing board games with your family? There are countless activities you can enjoy on your ’staycation’.
Enjoy the great outdoors. On beautiful summer days there is no better place to enjoy yourself than in the great outdoors. Whether it’s reading in a park, taking a hike, riding your bike, or making your garden beautiful, the fresh air outside is sure to help clear your mind and relieve some of the stress you may be dealing with in your life.
Identify community resources. Many neighborhood churches and YMCAs facilitate programs that include activities for kids of all ages. Your family can benefit a great deal by getting involved in the community with activities like sports, crafts, and reading. Plus, these are free or inexpensive as well.
BBQ potluck. Invite your friends over and have a BBQ potluck. Ask each of your friends to bring their favorite meat and you can do the grilling. This is an excellent way to stay in touch with your friends and family while enjoying a great, inexpensive meal at the same time.
Bring your own food. No matter where you go this summer, bring your own food. You can save a great deal on food by packing snacks and sandwiches for you and your family. Make sure that you research any possible restrictions on food and drink; depending on where you go. If food restrictions do apply, plan for a mid-afternoon break in a nearby park.
Keep low cost in mind. One of the most important aspects to keeping your summer activities on a budget is to constantly remind yourself why. Are you one that has always had extravagant summer vacations? Or are you the one who has several more ideas to add to this list? Regardless of your past, remembering to keep your costs low now will bring great rewards later.
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The library is also a great summer resource (as has been mentioned in some of the other blog entries). They offer summer reading programs with parties and activities as well as reading groups, movies, speakers, etc. This summer my library is having a summer reading program for adults that has prizes given out weekly and an ebook reader for the final prize.
Great addition. Thanks for the comment, Desiree!
An activity that surprised me for my children to enjoy was to go to the local lake (Lake Erie) and look for sea-glass (pieces of glass that are worn down by the waves). This has kept my boys ages 13 and 10 busy for hours. For younger kids, possibly looking for pretty rocks and making a glass jar full of them would be entertaining as well! My kids feel like they are on a treasure hunt when we do this.
Cool idea and story!
exploring the metro trains in la is an excursion
unlike other cities.
We are also planning a similar vacation to a lake in Corona. Hopefully it wil be as enjoyable as your families.