Tips for Summertime Activities

Summer vacation is right around the corner. Your kids will be anxiously awaiting something to do. Sleeping in late and staying up late is only going to amuse them for a couple of days before boredom sets in. This year be ready for them with an exciting plan for summer that wont break the bank. The average school summer vacation is anywhere from 9 to 11 weeks long, you can take a weekly approach of planning activities that will occupy them all summer long. Plus if you have a plan in place or allow your children to help you plan they will build anticipation for the outings. This is also an awesome time to practice planning and organizational skills with your children. Real life application of skills will make the summer more meaningful. I would like to share with you some weekly options for summer activities. You don't have to follow these in any particular order. They can simply be guides and springboards from which your activities can spring up from.

Option 1

Take one week out with your children to plant a summer garden. As a family you can research gardening and determine what vegetables or plants you want to grow for the season. If you do this activity at the start of the summer some quickly planted will yield a harvest before summer ends. You and your children will be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Option 2

Plan your "big" family vacation get-away together. Determine where you would like to go, and search for ways to make the vacation as cost friendly as possible. For instance check the internet for promotions and special incentives. Coupons are available for discounted lodging or park entries. Don't make the mistake of doing full price for everything.

Option 3

Take advantage of your local public library. Mostly all libraries sponsor a summer reading program for children. Many libraries offer prizes and passes to popular local spots in town for your participation.

Option 4

Check with your local chamber of commerce to gain information of any local festivals that will be held in your town or those towns surrounding you. Many small towns are popular for the unique festivals and events that they sponsor at little or no cost.

Option 5

Plan a week devoted to family clean-up. Determine what items you want to keep from those you need to discard. Hold a multiple family garage sale or sell items on eBay or Craigslist for extra summer funds.

Option 6

Take a camping trip in your own back yard. Setup your tent, lay out the sleeping bags, and fire up the grill for some fun outdoors. Refresh your mind on the constellations and look for them with your family. Have possibly every item you would need outside and available so the house becomes an off-limit zone.

Option 7

Barter services with friends and neighbors to enrich the lives of your family. Have someone teach your child swimming lessons while you provide them with home baked sweets each week. Trade needed grass cutting for helping someone else to get organized. You have something to offer that somebody else needs.

Option 8
Plan a water day at your home or a local park. Items such as water guns, water balloons, and kiddies pools are inexpensive ways to enjoy and cool off from the hot summer rays.

Option 9

Switch out children with a relative or friend. Let your children visit for a week and their children visit for a week. This ways both sets of parents get down time and the children have a chance to bond and building relationships that are sometimes hindered by distance.

Option 10

Enjoy the fruits of your labor. Pick berries for fresh berry homemade ice cream. Visit a farmers market and enjoy picking fresh fruits and vegetables to enjoy preparing and eating at home as a family.

There are many things that you and your family can enjoy this summer on a budget of little to nothing.

Source: Caitlin Muir