It’s hard to believe that summer is here! Many of us are wondering how to entertain the children for the next two to three months now that school is over. If you’re like me, this prospect can seem overwhelming – especially when your family is on a tight budget. However, it is possible to have summertime fun on the cheap! Today we will look at how you and your family can have some good cheap fun!
Lemonade Stand
This classic summer activity is sure to bring a smile to your little entrepreneur’s face! Not only is it a chance to make a bit of pocket change, a lemonade stand is actually several projects rolled into one. The kids get to make the signs and stand, mix the lemonade, and make change for customers. You can also consider giving the proceeds to a local charity!
Book Swap
I cannot begin to tell you the number of books we have at our house! Every room has several titles in it and that is exactly how I like it! However, many of the books seem to collect dust because my kids have either read them already or outgrown them. This summer, how about gathering your friends and their children together and have a book swap? You will not only acquire new reading material for your family, but you will also be saving some really great books from being tossed in the trash!
Bake
This summer make some memories in the kitchen! Pick one day each week to make some sort of culinary creation with your little one. Don’t panic if you’re not much of a cook! These recipes need not be complicated or fancy. The point is to spend time together in the kitchen and enjoy eating your finished product together. Cakes, cookies, pancakes, fruit salad, or smoothies are just a few of the many options you and your kid can whip up together. At the end of the summer you can make a list of your top three favorite dishes and then prepare them for a back to school bash!
Take a Hike!
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors with your kiddos! Whether you are exploring your own backyard or a local trail in your area, the possibilities for having fun are endless. Have your child carry a small notebook with him or her and record the different creatures he or she spots. If your little one cannot write yet, have her draw a picture of her nature finds. You could also have your children start a nature collection this summer. While you are hiking, have your child pick up interesting rocks, leaves, feathers, etc. along the way to display in a special case. You could also look up important facts about your finds once you get home.
Nighttime Escapades
My family lives in Alabama, where it is not unusual for summer time temps to soar to nearly 100 degrees. By the middle of the summer, the only reason my kids want to go outside is to hop in a swimming pool! If you also live in a region where the summer time temperatures skyrocket, why not consider having some outdoor fun after the sun goes down? Some good old fashioned firefly hunting is always a fun way to pass the time. You could also send your kids on a flashlight scavenger hunt, having them search for hidden clues in the dark! Another inexpensive nighttime activity your kiddos are sure to enjoy is fun with glow sticks, necklaces, and bracelets. This summer consider the different kind of fun your kids can have after dark!
Swap Kids
It is not uncommon for kids to miss their school friends over summer break. Consider having one day a week that is “Friend Day” and let your little ones each invite one or two friends over to play. Better yet, see about trading days with another mom who wants to let her kids socialize. If you each agree to take one day each week to watch all the kids, on your day off you can run those much needed errands or accomplish other important tasks! Your kids will have a blast and will be more likely to entertain themselves if they have a buddy to pal around with.
Each family’s summer will look different. Many of us work and must hire outside help to watch the children during the day. Some parents stay home and have full time charge of the kids. Even if you work outside of the home, you can pass on these ideas to your babysitter or childcare provider. It’s also a good idea to get their input on how to fill the day with fun things. Creative thinking, not a big budget, is the only thing necessary to have a great summer. We would love to hear your ideas on how you have summer fun on the cheap!
