frugal ideas for kids for summer

Hi Honey Have them build things They love stuff like that I used to get huge boxes that appliances came in and let them cut the windows and doors out and make villages in the back yard. We would hang a tarp from the trees above them so they would last through a few rain storms. xoxooxoxxo

We are doing service this year. Helping elderly families in the area with yard work and visiting rest homes just to give them a friendly face. Im hoping to teach my kids a love for others. I think it will help us all be happier.

There are some great ideas here. This year a local horticultural society here is having a junior gardeners club. My oldest is really into gardenin so it will be perfect for her. The best part is the cost is only $2 and they provide all the supplies. Maybe there are similar programs in your area. Some other things my kids enjoy is going on a hike, biking, playing in our pool (just one of the blue EZ fill ones), water fights or really just anyg thing outdoors.

How about the zoo? Or any historical places in your town or city? We are lucky here, we live in the Capitol city and have the state capitol, the old state capitol, a science museum, the battleship Kidd, a zoo, and lots of parks for the kids to visit. Some of these are done during the year for field trips but those are usually rushed. Kids also like to visit pet shops. This can be incorporated into your shopping to make the kids behave while you do your shopping. Make it a bonus...be very good and helpful to me while I do my shopping and then we can go to the pet shop to see the puppies, fish, hamsters, etc. Oh I almost forgot this one...a trip to the snowball stand or ice cream parlor is also a fun thing to do :)

I have a few idea's for you. Petting zoo's are great fun for kids of all ages, even mom's and dad's have fun. Remember to bring the camera to catch the fun. Hiking is great fun if your kids are 10 or older. Pack a lunch and discover nature together. Family fun night is a great tradition to start and easiest to accomplish during the summer months. Order pizza or fire up the grill and play some lawn sports, or stay indoors for board games. My kids favorite summer event it the treasure hunt. I plan it once a summer and have progressed the difficulty as they have aged. I hide a varity of objects that can hold clues through out the yard and in a cleverly hidden place I hide their treasures, nothing big just a box with candy and small toys, chap stick, etc. Our oldest is now 21 and still shows up every year for treasure hunting. My children always go to camp every year as well usually for a week. We have 2 that are affordable to choose from one through the church and the other through our local Elks club. The Elks club is actually totally free to club members.Oh don't forget the beach.. I hope this helped, have a wonderful summer.

Have you got a farm near you? they are normally free or very cheap to get into and both my girls love it! We have a trip to the beach planned and trips to the park can be made to last longer by taking a picnic! Maybe buy some art stuff really cheap and let them do painting and stuff in the garden, and my two spent a lot of last summer in the garden in the paddling pool very happy!

I found, after raising my own 3 and then spending lots of time with my grandkids, that the most inexpensive way to keep kids entertained is with paper... We make books, cards, collage, kites, covered boxes... they LOVE making books to give as gifts or use as journals for their own thoughts. There are so many ways of making and binding them, using things from nature walks to decorate them. Try: http://www.makingbooks.com/teachersresources.shtml http://www.diynetwork.com/DIY/mmo/SCB-314/Vellum_instruct.pdf http://www.craftsitedirectory.com/books/index.html http://www.orientalstampart1.com/minibooks.html