Summer Boredom-Busters for Just a Few Bucks

You know me, I love to stretch a dollar and see how far it goes. And when it comes to my kids, I want to create fun times and good memories without chipping away at the family budget.

I’ve found that the possibilities for cheap (or even free) summer fun are endless.

Freebies Are Everywhere

Story hour at the library or bookstore
Activity day at the park district
Church programs and sports camps
Bowling – check out www.kidsbowlfree.com
Movies – visit www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule

Day at the Park

Going to our local park for the afternoon is nothing new, but I make it something special by exploring a different park in a nearby town. Pack snacks, drinks, a picnic lunch and sunblock and enjoy a day of completely free fun. We love to load up the scooters, ball and Frisbee to create even more opportunities for fun in the sun. This year we’ve made it a family priority to explore parks that we haven’t tried before.

Sprinkler Fun

Running through the sprinklers is free and fun relief from brutal summer heat. A good old-fashioned sprinkler or inexpensive sprinkler toy can keep kids entertained for hours. We’ve also discovered that our town’s parks now have splash pads and sprinkler parks. The cost is free and they’re a great way to keep cool. So if your backyard sprinkler starts to lose its luster, Google your town and the keywords “splash pad” or “sprinkler park” to see if you can find a new place to keep cool!

Visit a Local Farm

This year we had the opportunity to visit an alpaca farm just thirty minutes from our home. The kids had the best time learning about the animals and getting the opportunity to feed, touch, and even take a few of them for a walk. Google “free farm tours” to find others near your town.

For other farm animals, see if there are any local farms in your area that you could visit and give your children the chance to have an experience like this. It is one that will long remember and gives them an opportunity to learn about where their food comes from!

Roast-your-own-Dinner Night

One thing we look forward to all summer long is the opportunity to roast some foods on our little campfire. Stock up on hot dogs and s’mores supplies, and have a fun time together that doesn’t cost a lot. I love to keep the fire going after the kids hit the sack and turn it into a little date nite for hubby and me.