Six Affordable Ways To Entertain Your Kids This Summer

Got kids home for the summer whining that there is nothing to do?

I know my kids have plenty to do around our house, but the same toys, books and swing set can get boring after a few weeks spent at home.

I need to have a game plan for summer activities and they need to be fun and affordable.

Six affordable ways to keep the little monkeys entertained.

1. Check out your local library and book stores for their summer reading programs. At our library, the kids can earn small prizes, such as free coupons for pizza and ice cream for reading books through out the summer. They also have a summer schedule for special story times and other activities. Also, a local bank is offering the children $10 for reading just 10 books over the summer. It is just happens to be the bank where our kids have savings accounts.
2. Check out local fairs and festivals for low cost games, food and activities. We love to hit the local harvest festivals in the summer time for strawberries, peaches, and apples. Local towns, libraries, malls and fire halls also host carnivals and festivals as fundraisers. Keep your eyes and ears open for local activities.
3. A Park A Week – One day every week, my kids and I try a different park. It keeps them from being bored by going to the same park every week. I don’t mind driving a few extra miles to try a new park. We pack a lunch, snacks and plenty to drink…and sunscreen too. We go early in the morning to avoid the hot afternoon sun.
4. Hit the amusement parks in the late afternoon and save considerably on the admission fee. We live near a huge amusement park that is a bit pricey. We also have 2 young children that need to nap and would not be able to handle a whole day at a park anyway. Therefore, we go after 5pm when the price reduces considerably and it is much cooler than at mid-day.
5. Host a theme party. Invite your friends over for an ice cream social or a banana split party. On nice evenings, my hubby starts a bonfire and we invite the neighbors over for s’mores for the kids and Coronas with lime for the adults.
6. Check out your local movie theaters for their summer time specials. A theater in my area offers a FREE showing of Rated G movies on Tuesdays and a FREE showing of Rated PG movies on Wednesdays starting in June.

What inexpensive activities do you have lined up over the summer with your family? Please share in the comments.

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This post is linked to:

• Thrifty Thursday at Coupon Teacher
• Frugal Friday at Life As Mom