Cheap, Easy Things to Do With Your Kids This Summer Vacation

There are a lot of frugal activities you can plan for your children for this upcoming summer vacation, you just need to have a bit of a creative mind, and know where to look!

A popular family event would have to include camping. Bonding with Mother Nature, and what better time to spend quality time with your kids. If you choose a campground, you can go swimming and hiking, and many of them will have a playground. Building fires and cooking smores is also a great evening treat. If you don't have the funds, or if there isn't a campground near you, try setting up a tent in the backyard for some at home fun! You can still spend time together, and still make the smores!

Heading to the beach can be fun and easy as well. Don't forget the sun block though! You can spend hours on the beach, sunning or building sand castles, and of course swimming. Check into local state parks, usually the parking cost is minimal. If you head to the ocean, be prepared to re-mortgage your house to pay for parking costs! If you worry about your kids at the beach, setting up a sprinkler in the yard can be great fun for little ones. Add a slice of watermelon, and their day is made.

The library is always a sure-fire thing, and you can't beat the cost! A lot of libraries will hold summer events for the kids, and it might give you some catch up time to read that book you've been wanting to get your hands on.

Check out your local YMCA, like the library, they will often run summer programs. The list is endless, there is always something going on at the "Y." They often offer a reduced membership fee also for the summer.

If you have older kids, such as pre-teens or teens, spending a little money on the cheap matinee at the theatre can be the way to go. Eat at home first; it will save money at the snack bar. Since you won't have to worry about a school schedule, the 1:00 show is a great one to catch!

Bike riding is an excellent activity and it's free! Hop on the bike and take a nice ride. You don't have to go fast if you're out of shape like me, take your time and enjoy the scenery. You could even ride your bike to the library and make a day of it!