Fantastically Frugal Family FunFamily 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.
"Mom, I'm Bored!": Summer ActivitiesSummer 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?"
Monopoly Money for TreatsWhen grandkids are visiting for the summer I have already bought up lots of things from garage sales and then they help with different tasks at the house.
Summer's Coming: "Mom, what can I do?"Usually the first week is fun but after a few days we hear the familiar refrain, "Mom, I'm bored, what can I do?"
Jungle Day in the BackyardAre 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.
Summer Sprinkler FunMy kids never turn down a chance to run through the sprinkler on a hot sunny day! They often invite their friends...
Keep Kids Busy With Summer MoviesGet free movies to watch from local library. This is especially great for kids over the summer. Make one day a week a movie day.
Inexpensive Target PracticeTape some dark construction paper on tiled, waterproof, bathroom wall. Fill water guns and try to hit the center of the construction paper!
Lights, Camera, Action! - A Children's StageDo you have a child that is longing for the bright lights of Hollywood? Do you have a budding playwright in the family too? Well, here is a way to build her or him their own stage so you can enjoy the fruits of their labors.
Baby Powder For Beach SandUse baby powder (cheapest works the same) for sandy hands and especially sandy feet at the beach. You know how hard it is to get all the sand free from your toes and feet, legs, your hands. It just seems to cling there, even though you have rinsed in the water and towel dried them.
Plan Summer Activities With School Curriculum In MindEvery 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.
The Shaving Cream VolcanoFun recipes for kids, GREAT babysitting idea! Take the body wash and dump it in your bottle. Then take the shaving cream and fill up about 3/4. Fill ALMOST to the top with perfume. THEN SHAKE! Shake harder and harder for a couple of minutes then go outside (or to a sink) and pull off your cap!
The Library Is A Frugal Way To Beat The HeatFor a frugal way to beat the heat, go to your local library. Admission free. Hours of perusing your favorite books and magazines. Cost of a library card to take books, videos, CDs, or DVDs home with you free.
Summer Crafts For Bored KidsKids get bored during the summer and taking them places can get expensive. Try doing a craft project once a week. Something easy and cheap.
Baby At The BeachIt's the time of year to take little ones to the beach. However, sand and babies don't mix. I find a 2 ring blow up wading pool is perfect. It's compact to the from the beach, safe, clean, and you can even make padded round sheets and blankies for the inside.
Spray Painting For KidsThis is a fun outside activity for kids to do in the summer. I take spray bottles (either from household products that are empty or inexpensive ones from the dollar store or similar) and fill them with a small amount of paint and mostly water. Don't use too much paint or it will clog the sprayer.
Share Summer Childcare With Stay at Home ParentsSchool is almost out. It's great for about a week or so then your down to keeping your kids busy and out of your hair! If your a stay home parent, it can drive you crazy.
Beach Glass GameToday I went to the beach on Lake Erie looking for sea glass (beach glass), my first time. I had fun all by myself but thought of something fun to do with a friend.
Summer Library ProgramsMost local Libraries have great summer reading programs. It's free, it's fun and it's educational! Our local libraries have a wonderful program for kids.
"No Boredom Bag" For Car TripsFor car trips with kids, I make a "no boredom bag". It can be a backpack, or any bag, but ones with pockets are good. It depends on what age as to what you put in it, but I usually put the following for my 9 year old.
Summer Education TipsThese are my tips for continuing your child's education throughout the summer. Play Math BINGO, I made mine from the plain (inside) cardboard on cereal boxes. I made squares and put numbers in each square.
Summer Learning FunHere are a couple of things that you could do to keep your child's mind occupied during the summer months, as well as helping them have fun learning.
Summer Fun: Kids NewspaperIf 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.
Check For Free Community Summer MoviesMany local communities are hosting Movie In The Park nights this summer. Check your local paper or the community's website for time and date listings. Be sure to take a blanket/ lawn chairs and pillows for the little ones in case they get tired.
Have Kids Make A Summer Fun ListAt the end of every school year, I have the kids make a "Summer Fun List." I make one too. At the end of the summer, we see what we accomplished.
Free Summer Kids Movies At Regal CinemasRegal is doing their free kids movies again this summer. Here in Oregon, they are showing movies at 10 AM on both Tuesday and Wednesday. They are second run movies, I'm taking my boys to Planet 51 tomorrow.
Free Summer Museum Admission For Military FamiliesHundreds of museums across the nation, in all 50 states, are offering free admission to military members and their families. These are large museums like San Diego's Balboa Park. The free admission covers the military member, spouse, and children.
Thrifty Summer ActivitiesHere are some frugal things I to do in the summer. Attend Bluegrass/gospel music during the week and on Saturday night, free. Attend local happenings at the University.
Family Movie NightIt will soon be time to get one of our "Jaws" movies out and get out the squirt guns, beach blankets, some sea shells, and towels. When the shark comes on, the kids squirt one another, When someone says the word "shark" on the movie, the kids do a Da Da! - Da Da! - Da DA! - the theme of Jaws.
Frugal Fun Outings for KidsLiving on a tight budget is hard. We try to make it easier by finding cheap or free things to do with our boys. They are age 5 and 3. I have found all kinds of free museums and parks to explore.
Summer Crafts and Activities for Kids (and...If I do not make plans to keep my son busy this summer, he will be perfectly content to waste his days watching TV and playing with his DS. So I plan to set up a daily schedule for him.
Homemade Slip 'N SlideShe spread a tarp out on the lawn, squirted it all over with Dawn dish soap to make it slick, then sprayed it down with water to make it good and wet. The kids were having blast running and sliding on this soapy tarp.
Summer Camp at HomeA writer gave the idea of having your own summer camp for your children with you, the parent, as the camp director. It was just what my three daughters and I needed to add structure to our summer.
Use Old Clothes for Camp and OutdoorsIf your child is getting ready to go to summer camp, don't buy them nice new things to wear, it's not going to come home that way! Pack their oldest socks and underwear for them to take, so that when it comes home, you just throw it in the trash.
Getting Beach Sand Off SkinGetting all of the sand off your skin after a day at the beach can be tough. If you sprinkle baby powder onto your skin, it will absorb any moisture on your skin, allowing the sand to be brushed off more easily.
Sunscreen Reapplication at Day CampsWhen my kids were little, I enrolled them in the local YMCA summer fun club. One day, they took a day trip to the beach. They forgot their sunscreen on the bus. The counselors told them that was too bad, they weren't going to go back and get it.
Attend Free Summer Community EventsThis weekend, we attended Celebrate Hillsboro, an annual summer event provided by the businesses and city of Hillsboro, Oregon.
Baby Powder For Sandy KidsThis tip is great for this time of year, when people are going to the beach. Bring baby powder for the kids. When you are ready to go home, sprinkle it on feet or wherever sand is stuck to them.
Things To Do During The Summer HolidaysHere's a list of things to do I made up for my my nieces and nephews who used to stay with me during the holidays. They would just choose something from the list to do so I never had anyone say "I'm bored!"
Kids' TattoosFun craft all year! I used it for Memorial Day, parents will love how easily the tattoos wash off!
Don't Let Kids Educationally Slide This SummerResearch shows many kids "slide" up to 30% during the summer months. Don't let that happen to you.
Reuse Condiment Bottles for a Hot DayAre your kids looking for an activity to keep them cool on a hot summer day, but you don't want to take them to the busy pool? Simply, reuse a couple of bottles with a small hole in the lid. Ketchup bottles and some salad dressing bottles work great!
Marking Clothes for CampMarking clothes for summer camp? Sharpies are fine on light colored clothes but not so great on black and navy. Best thing to mark on darks is white-out. White-out is indelible
Summer Reading for Kids and AdultsWhat 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!
