Summer Fun Ideas on a Budget

Summer is right around the corner.  In fact, my daughter's last day of school is less than a week away!  A lot of times as a parent, we strive to keep our kids busy during the summer, but the ideas we may come up with can be costly.  I don't know about your family, but we can not afford spend a lot of money to keep our kids busy everyday.  I've spent time putting together lists of learning and fun activities for our children.  Here is what I have come up with:

• Check your local library for day camps and reading programs.  Often these programs are free and educational.  Every summer my daughter takes part in our library's summer reading program where she is able to earn gifts for reading!  Barnes and Noble also has a great summer reading program.
• Check for free activities or day camps at local stores.  Stores like Home Depot, Lowe's, and Bass Pro Shop offer free workshops and day camps for children.  Check your local stores for dates.
• Explore a park.  There are so many parks around the country that you can explore with your children.  Our National Parks even have free admittance days.
• Check for free activities in your area.  A lot of times, there will be free admittance days, free shows, free bowling, free festivals, and free activities in your area that are not heavily advertised.  Subscribe to a local newsletter to stay up to date.  This can also be a learning adventure for your children.  We have had car shows, Renaissance and different cultural festivals in our area. 
• Head outside!  Even in your own yard, there is plenty of fun, learning adventures for your child.  Consider planting a seed.  You can teach them about the process a seed goes through to become a plant.  Go hunting for bugs and plants.  Have your kids learn about the different bugs and plants in your yard and what purpose they serve.
• Check out a local farm.  You may be able to find activities for your children for little to no cost.  One of our local farms offers pick your own vegetables which our kids love!  Some larger farms may also offer horse/pony rides or other fun activities.
• Teach your kids to cook.  Making simple meals with your children helps you to connect with them, but it's also a fun learning experience.
• Take advantage of clear summer skies.  Have a backyard campout and watch the sky for stars and planets.

Whatever you and your kids do this summer to have fun, remember the sun block!  Do you have any fun summer activities planned for your kids?