Cheap and Fun Ways for Kids to Spend Summer Vacation at Home

School's out, and the kids are home. It's time for a vacation! But wait; with the rising cost of gas and groceries, your family's budget is tight and you can't afford to go on a trip. How will you ever entertain the children? I have some ideas that may help you and your kids survive summer break on a frugal budget.

Taking a trip to a water park can be a lot of fun. It can also be expensive. If you can't afford to take your family on an annual trip to the water park you can still have some wet and wild fun. Using your backyard space you can bring the water park to you rather than spending the gas to go to one. Water balloons, sprinklers, slip n slides, water guns, and inflatable plastic pools can help you accomplish just that. Your family can have a blast as you enjoy your own backyard water park minus the long lines.

Volunteering in your community not only helps others but it can offer a boost to your own self esteem and teach kids to be thankful for what they have and share it with others. Host a car wash fund-raiser to benefit a favorite local charity or food bank. Older kids can offer to mow the lawns for the senior citizens living in your neighborhood for free. There are many ways your family can volunteer which will help pass the time in the summer and benefit those in need. Volunteering can be fun!

Consider having your kids join a class or sign up for an activity at your local community center. While summer camps are expensive you may find some cheap alternatives at your local community center. Kids don't need to go every day of the week to have fun. My kids have done activities at the community center before and have had a blast and I didn't even have to spend a lot of money. A five week long, one day a week, gymnastics class at my local community center is just $33 per child. This is very affordable and a great way for the kids to stay entertained while making new friends in the summer months.

If your neighbors are also on a tight budget this summer you can organize a backyard barbecue or block party to include them in your summer time fun. Bring out the boom box, the grill, and some fun summer time activities and prepare to party! Kids and adults can engage in fun games such as water balloon toss or water gun fights to help cool them down. Have everyone in the neighborhood bring a dish to help keep costs low.

Sometimes kids can feel sad in the summer because they aren't able to see their friends from school as often because they live in a different neighborhood. You and your child can organize a rotating slumber party which can be fun for all of the kids and a great way to keep them connected through the summer months. Each week during the summer the kids will rotate to different houses for a fun slumber party. To keep it interesting each slumber party can have a different theme, board game, and movie.

Keeping the kids entertained during the summer months at home may be a challenge but with the suggestions above it doesn't have to be. Stay at home this summer and save money by trying these fun ideas.