Ten Cheap Ideas for Family Summer Fun

Ten Cheap Ideas for Family Summer Fun

By Celeste Leibowitz

The school bell has rung for the last time, and the kids have burst outside, waving their report cards and singing, “No more pencils, no more books!”

Now what? It may be time to roll out those “lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer,” but how can you keep the family occupied without spending a bundle? Here are some suggestions for families with at least one stay at home parent (SAHP).

1. Start a co-op day camp: If you’ve got a babysitting co-op going to save on child care costs, you may have the makings of a co-op day camp. To get this going, round up four other committed families. Commitment is important, because if one family drops out, the structure falls apart.

Each family is responsible for two days each week. One family takes the lead role each weekday, with the second family acting as backup. This gives each family three weekdays completely free to pursue errands, relaxation, or keep up with the demands of a home based business. If the families can afford to chip in a little money, and a couple of families have teenagers, hire them to assist with the day’s activities, and give every family four days off instead.

Plan ahead for activities, and play to each parent’s individual talents. Have you got a musician, an artist or artisan in your group? How about a green thumb, a bird watcher or photographer, a dancer, an athlete? Who’s got a swimming pool, or a big back yard with lots of play equipment?

Each day should be different. One day the kids can bake cookies, the next day learn square dancing. Remember to plan alternate activities for those boring rainy days! Ask older children to keep a record of the camp fun, with photos and scrapbooks. At the close of the season, throw a potluck party or barbecue, and have the kids put on a talent show to demonstrate what they have learned.

2. Free programs for kids: Keep up with free activities offered during the summer. In some towns, the public schools operate free day camps and offer free breakfast and lunch for school-age children during the summertime. Libraries run summer reading programs with a kickoff event and a closing party for children who read the required number of books. There may also be arts and crafts programs, movies and free music offered at the library, along with the free books and films you can check out to enjoy at home. Investigate the playgrounds and parks; there are often free programs such as nature walks, storytelling, and sports events for youngsters.

3. A day at the beach: If you are near the seashore or a major lake with a beachfront, you’ve got hours and hours of cheap entertainment at your disposal. Take the kids swimming (only if there is a lifeguard, please!), and let them play for hours in the sand. Hunt for seashells, driftwood and “beach glass” that has been worn down to rounded edges. Bring home your finds and create arts and crafts projects as souvenirs. Help the youngsters to build a magnificent sand castle or other sand sculptures. For instructions, take a look at websites such as http://www.missico.com/personal/kids/sand_sculpture.htm. You don’t need fancy, expensive tools or equipment to make a sandcastle; utensils from your kitchen or garden will work just fine.

What to bring to the beach:
 Sunscreen with a SPF of 45 or better for babies and children (adults, use it too!)
 A blanket and lightweight beach chairs
 Sunglasses for everyone, swimsuits and towels
 Caps
 Picnic lunch and water
 Flipflops or water shoes for walking on blazing hot sand
 Toys: pails, shovels, funnels, spoons and forks, an old sifter


4. Free outdoor concerts and performances: Summertime is the best time for free music. Check online and in local papers, and find out when outdoor concerts, dance performances and even free or inexpensive circuses are in town. Bring a blanket or folding chairs and your picnic dinner, and dance while the stars come out. Some concerts even feature a fireworks finale.


5. Go birding: Bring a pair of inexpensive binoculars and bird guide (Half.com has lots of them), and watch the birds. Some parks have bird-watching groups that assemble in the early mornings. Note migrations and keep track of the species you spot. If the birds are close enough, take photos.

Do you live in an area with lots of pigeons? If so, the kids can take part in a scientific study, Project Pigeon watch. For more information, go to http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pigeonwatch/GettingStarted/kit and download a free Pigeon Watch starter kit. It’s fun, it’s educational, and it costs you nothing.

6. Gone fishing: Have you got a fishing rod and tackle sitting around the house? Or maybe you fish on a regular basis. Bring the kids, but be sure to observe the local fishing laws and regulations. Look them up online before you go, or the fine may ruin your frugal fun!


7. Hikes and bike trails: If you live near a state or national park, hikes and nature walks are readily available. For safety, bikers should wear a properly fitting helmet. Bring enough food and water, and put together your own “trail mix” of nuts, dried fruits and chocolate bits (M & M’s work well). You can find bicycle lanes on many streets and in the parks. Have fun, get some exercise, and enjoy the greenery as you march or ride along.

8. Parades and street fairs: Summer is also time for parades and street festivals. Street festivals are great fun, with free music and entertainment. They’re also a good way to learn about services and organizations in your hometown, because many groups rent a table and distribute their literature along with free samples and goody bags. One thing to watch out for at street festivals is the tendency to spend too much money on flea market items or exotic foods (shish kebabs, mango roses, frothy fruit drinks). Pack a lunch and stick to one food or drink item you can’t get on an everyday basis.

Parades provide great summer entertainment. Arrive early to get the best view, and bring that camera. Many towns have an Independence Day parade, but there are also plenty of unusual themes in towns and cities across the nation. New York City has the Coney Island Mermaid Parade on the first Saturday of summer, and a number of communities hold Pet Parades with costumes and prizes for the best-dressed pets.

9. Art shows: If your town has an art society or a camera club, summer is the time for outdoor art shows. The artwork itself can be pricey, so treat it as a museum exhibit and just look. Have the kids bring sketchbooks, pencils or markers, and make their own renditions of their favorites. Maybe one year their own entries will be in the show.

10. Explore your town’s history. Who founded your town, and when? What sort of people settled there? What was everyday life like a century, two centuries, and three centuries ago? Are your streets named for famous people? Learn the town’s folklore and legends. Are there any special “holidays” your town commemorates that no one else knows about? Celebrate them!

These are just a few of the many ways to enjoy summertime, keep the kids occupied and happy, and keep your budget on track at the same time. Happy summer solstice, everyone!