Keep Kids Busy This Summer (Without Breaking the Bank!)

Summer’s here already? I’ll never understand how it happens so quickly… every single year! These tips will help you keep the kids busy this summer – without breaking the bank!

Keep Kids Busy this Summer Without Breaking the Bank

Enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Summer means warmer weather. Warmer weather means outdoors activities. Consider planning weekend picnics in the park. Head as a family to the local swimming pool. Take a hike or ride a bike. The idea is that the weather will make you want to get outside and get active.

Check out museums. History, art, and science museums are free in some cities, while others have discounted tickets available for kids in the summer. Check out your local library for details – they can tell you if there are coupons or discounts available!

Find the cheap theater in your town. There’s always a theater that’s playing older movies! You can get tickets for just a few bucks a piece, so eat a snack or lunch beforehand and you’ll get away with a few hours of entertainment for less than $10 for your entire family. Snacks and drinks can add up, so eat beforehand, and share a drink at the theater if you really want to save.

Many theaters also have discounted summer movies series. Regal Cinemas offers $1 movies throughout the summer.

Visit a national park. Only about 25% of the national parks charge an entrance fee, so you can visit most of them for free! If you’re planning a vacation, you can also camp instead of paying outrageous hotel prices!

Plan to have a water balloon war. You could also buy water guns for everyone in the family and see who can stay dry the longest. Not only will this get the family involved in an activity together, it will keep them active and hopefully cool them off at the same time.

Get crafty. Scour Pinterest for ideas of crafts specific to what you’d like to do. Whether you have a toddler or tweens, there’s something on Pinterest that will interest all of you!

Plan and plant a summer garden. Think of the joy on your child’s face when they eat the first ripe tomato from your own garden! Of course, there is plenty of hard work to keep families busy leading up to harvest, but keeping a family garden is a great summer activity for the family to share. If you have a bumper crop, you may even want to consider selling your produce at a road-side booth or stall at the local farmer’s market. This would be a great learning experience for one and all.

Camp out in the backyard. Your family may enjoy camping out but circumstances simply forbid you from taking a camping trip. Don’t let circumstances stop you! Pitch your tent in the backyard and enjoy the same fun just a little closer to home.

Plan a “good Samaritan” act each month. Think of a family that has fallen on hard times or charity that could use some help. Do random acts of kindness for people in your neighborhood – weed an elderly neighbor’s flower garden, mow a single mom’s lawn, gather canned goods from your neighbors and take them to the local battered women’s shelter or food bank. There are so many good things your family could do if you just put your minds to it.

Ran out of ideas? Check out my 101 Things to Do with Kids This Summer! No excuses!