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Keeping Kids Entertained During Summer Break

August 24, 2010

A child blowing bubblesMy husband and I have to work out entertainment on a very tight budget. I have two little boys, age 5 and 3. When my boys get the stir crazies, we take a walk to the closest park in the neighborhood. On the way, we use it as a learning experience. We look for special shapes, colors, textures, etc. There are endless possibilities to this game that we play on the way to the park. We play for a while and then we walk a different route home.

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This is one of many different ways we get rid of the stir crazy boys. I hope this suggestion helps a lot. We save lots of money by doing it and they also get a learning experience as well.

By Lisa from Pekin, IL

 
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18 More Solutions

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May 12, 2010

Frugal living is nothing new to us as I was raised in a family of 11 kids and many foster children. We may have struggled because money was tight, but we never seemed to lack for fun things to do and there was always something going on that held our attention.

A child blowing bubbles

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May 28, 2008

Every year before the last day of school, I obtain a copy of the coming year curriculum. I evaluate it and note any summer activities that will help my kids gain a healthy headstart.

 
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April 6, 2010

If your kids are wanting something fun to do this summer, have them start their own paper. They can interview the neighbors that they know, and write stories about their own life.

 
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Silver Post Medal for All Time! 255 Posts
June 3, 2014

Research shows many kids "slide" up to 30% during the summer months. Don't let that happen to you.

 
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Diamond Post Medal for All Time! 1,298 Posts
July 15, 2019

What to do for free and fun during summer? Can't go wrong with reading and being rewarded. Check with your local library to see if you can participate in summer reading - this is available for kids and adults!

 
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May 16, 2007

Get free movies to watch from local library. This is especially great for kids over the summer. Make one day a week a movie day.

 
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Lori Enos
March 21, 2002

Family activities don't have to be elaborate or costly to be enjoyable. Often the simplest activities are the ones kids enjoy the most. We've taken our kids to Walt Disney World and a host of other extravagant vacations, but the things they seem to enjoy the most are going on picnics and having family game night.

 
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February 25, 2009

To keep kids entertained, look for free events. Sometimes programs offer 1 free class with no obligation. Gymboree, Little Gym, and Stroller Strides do this.

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Additionally, some churches have open play times for a minimal fee.

 
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July 8, 2008

Kids get bored during the summer and taking them places can get expensive. Try doing a craft project once a week. Something easy and cheap.

 
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Sandy Baker
May 26, 2006

Are you looking for a way to have fun with your kids right at home? Then consider having a jungle day in the backyard. There are many things that can be done in the backyard to turn it into a pretend jungle.

 
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June 14, 2005

Water balloon fights are always a big hit at summer kids parties, but the burst balloons all over the ground are a hazard to wildlife and curious toddlers. Encourage kids to clean up by offering a prize for the one who picks up the most bits of rubber balloon.

 
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Susan Sanders-Kinzel
June 25, 2004

In the summer the kids need things to do for fun and learning. It's a good time to broaden their education, especially outdoors.

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Here are some links of sites with indoor and outdoor activities for children.

 
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Susan Sanders-Kinzel
June 2, 2003

Summer brings mixed feelings. Usually the first week is fun but after a few days we hear the familiar refrain, "Mom, I'm bored, what can I do?"

 
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July 27, 2012

During summer vacation kids need to rest, as well as, keep busy. So many parents are concerned about making their kids have a productive summer that they forget that summer is also a time to sit back and relax.

 
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Questions

Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.

July 2, 2007

What can my grandson do to beat boredom this summer? He is 11 and is driving me crazy! I keep him in the daytime while his parents work. I won't let him play on the computer and he's tired of his Playstation games. (I refuse to buy him any more). Does anyone have any ideas? There aren't many kids his age that live close by for him to play with. Any ideas?



Linda from Alabama

Answers

By Darlene (Guest Post)
July 3, 20070 found this helpful

Here are several suggestions I can think of:
1. a scavenger hunt (the more difficult, the longer he stays busy!)
2. a nature walk (along a beach, in the woods, or a park are good choices)

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3. take him fishing
4. look on the internet for some games they played during different centuries
5. go to the local library (they have more than books!)
6. get him to read to you (Harry Potter books, Eragon or Eldest are some choices, there are lots more)
He will balk at any idea at first. Just be patient and keep trying. If he finds some type of bug or insect, go to the library and look it up. Have him earn "computer bucks". Instead of making play money, you could use old monopoly money. Make each dollar worth so many minutes of computer time. Have him do some of the suggestions for a while and then he can earn an equal amount of supervised computer time.
It's been a while since I had kids that age. But I do have six grandchildren. My daughter uses the computer bucks and not only for playing games. Her children love going to the library etc.
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I certainly hope this helps.
Good luck.
PS does he enjoy any sports? if so, what teams are his favorite? have him look up the history of the teams he likes

 
July 3, 20070 found this helpful

I would recommend The American Boy's Handy Book or The Dangerous Book for Boys (links below). They have lots of outdoorsy and other really interesting activities. Is he a Boy Scout? Get him working on those merit badges! Also you could think about volunteering somewhere with him. Help him to find ways to use his time productively, not just to pass the time. Help him to learn a new skill or hobby that he can show for his time. Good luck!

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July 9, 20070 found this helpful

There are usually stores around where he can swap his Playstation games. He might try getting new games that way. Sometimes having a friend over is not really more work, but less work as they keep each other entertained. He can then play basketball, baseball, or ride bikes, etc.

 
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July 28, 2008

What is a good schedule for a mother with 2 kids starting with the morning time. I feel so tired and clueless on what I have to do when I wake up and throughout the day. What can I do to keep my kids busy and entertained? What is a good schedule to keep busy? My son is 9 years old and my daughter is 7 weeks old.



Michelle from EL Paso, TX

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