Family Activities: Fun and Low Cost Summer Activities for the Family

Ah yes, Summer Vacation for children. It means sleeping in, days of driving both mom and dad insane and wanting to go here do this and see that. It can become very costly to keep your children entertained. However, there are alternative options that are both fun and low in cost- giving families time together that is truly needed and desired. Below are only a few of many options that can be thought up.

Family Picnic

Why not go out for lunch? Perfect for any of the sunny days that are ahead and a break from the normal lunch time activities. This can become a ritual if it works well enough. Something the family can try to do once a week, or at least once a month if one or both parents have to work in the afternoons. Throw away the whole idea of getting a picnic basket, any large back will do to carry food in. Make salads, sandwiches, bake some goodies and pack a blanket or two. Go to the town park or playground, lay out the blanket(s) and have a family picnic. Finish it up with your children playing on the swingsets or other available playthings. Bring a basketball if there's a court and finish the lunch date with a family game.

Water Fights

On those really hot, sticky days, this one can not be beaten. If you don't have squirt guns, water bottles will suffice. Simply make sure you have enough for every member of the family and then head outside. Make some areas 'safe' from water play, such as a spigot that may be outside so that you can refill if needed and not end up soaked. Not that it matters, honestly. Make up your own game, just have fun. It gives you a great way to have fun with your entire family and keep cool - a great option for those who can't afford air conditioning. Just be sure to keep it outside - you don't want to ruin anything inside with water play.

Nature Walk

What better way to spend a day, or at least a few hours, than walking down a beautiful nature trail with the family. It gets you out, in nature and hopefully fresh air. Not only that, it provides a more quiet atmosphere that allows families to talk. Even better, if you have skates or your children have them, bring those along. It provides an excellent means of exercise and is a lot more fun than a skating rink (and cheaper, too) any day. This can also give mom and dad bonding time to discuss, which is healthy for their relationship, in turn making a better relationship with their children. Bring a camera, take pictures of neat plants or animals on the trail and suddenly the fun day turns into a learning experience too.

Kites

Kite flying, especially on really windy days is just so much fun. Kites come in all fashions and colors that when you see several of them up in the air, you can't help but watch in awe. Even making them can be the start of a fun activity. There are heaps of how to sites online as well as how to books in libraries to make them. Styles and shapes galore. Making it a learning day by figuring out which shapes do better! Above that, there's nothing better than the reward of time spent building kites and then running around outside to see them in action.

Any of these can be combined together to make it an all-out family day of fun. It just takes a bit of creative thinking, along with the ability to go, do and see to make your family day worthwhile rather than costing an arm and a leg to do. Besides, what's important is the time with the family - not the cost.