The school year is coming to an end and your kiddos will be home all summer long. Are you wondering how to keep them busy without spending a fortune? Here are some tips for inexpensive summer activities for kids.
Summer Activities For Kids
Keeping kids busy this summer with camps or classes can be expensive. If you’re on a budget there are inexpensive outdoor and indoor summer activities for kids.
For free activities check out your local parks and libraries. For budget-friendly activities see if the zoo or amusement parks have discount days. Also, search for free programs and workshops in your area.
Local Pools
Pools are a great place to cool off in the summer heat. Another bonus of visiting the pool is kids love playing in the water. A trip to the pool can keep you and your kids busy for hours.
While at the pool sign your kids up for swim lessons. Swim lessons are usually inexpensive and it’s a good life skill to have. Or if you want to skip the lessons just hop in the pool and let them splash around.
Check to see if there is a day your pool offers free admission. Our local pool has free admission on Wednesday afternoons. It’s only from 1-3pm but that’s long enough to let the kids burn some energy.
Parks
Parks are a great place to take your kids to get outdoors, run around and play. But did you know your local parks and recreations might offer more than just a playground?
Movie Nights
During the summer the local parks host a movie night. You come with a blanket and picnic basket. While waiting for the movie, you get to eat dinner outdoors and watch the sunset.
After the sun goes down you get to watch a family movie together in the great outdoors. And the best part about this experience is that it’s free.
How often do you get to watch a movie under the stars? This is a fun experience you and your family will enjoy together.
Free Concerts
Besides movies, the parks also have live music. You and your family get the opportunity to watch local bands play for free. Again you can grab your blanket and a picnic basket. Then sit back and enjoy some tunes or get up and dance with your kids.
Crafts
Doing crafts is another fun activity that happens at the park. On certain days of the week park and rec will set up a table and kids can come up to make crafts. Some of the types of crafts they make are bracelets, necklaces, and puppets.
Classes
Check to see if your local parks and recreation department offers any classes. If you want to sign your kids up to take a class like dance or tumbling check to see if it’s offered through the parks and recreation program.
Classes offered through the parks and recreation department in my city have month long classes that are one day a week. And the cost of these classes is a lot cheaper than other options I’ve found.
Also, don’t forget about splashing around in the fountains. Several of the parks around town have water fountains that run all summer.
Put your little ones in a bathing suit and let them run around and splash in the water. It’s a fun way to cool off and get exercise.
The Library
Story Hour
The library is a great place to go to cool off from the summer heat. Check to see if your library has a story hour. All the libraries in my area do and they also break up the story hours into age groups. If you have kids that are different ages they also have a family story time that accommodates all ages.
Reading Challenge
Our library also puts on a reading challenge each summer. The goal is to read for so many hours in a certain amount of weeks. There are different achievements and after you reach each one you get a prize.
I really like this program because it gives your kids the motivation to read. And if you have little ones that can’t read yet, participation still counts when you read to them. So they can join in on the fun and still receive prizes.
The Zoo
Admission to the zoo can be very expensive especially for a family. But check to see if your zoo offers any discount days. In the summertime, our zoo has a discount day once a month called twilight Tuesdays. The zoo stays open later than it normally does and only costs five bucks a person.
Local Amusement Parks
Is there a local amusement park in your area? If there is check to see if it offers any discount times or days. Our local amusement park offers discount tickets for kids 6 and under on Tuesday and Thursdays.
Kids Bowl Free
Do your kids like to bowl? If you are looking for an indoor activity to cool down and get out of the heat there is a program where kids bowl free. Kids can bowl 2 free games every day of the Kids bowl free summer program. Visit the Kids Bowl Free website to find a participating bowling center.
Workshops
Check with stores to see if they have workshops or programs you can attend with your children. Home Depot and Michaels craft store are two that do offer workshops. These workshops are free or inexpensive and your kids get to learn a new craft.
Home Depot Kids Workshop
Home Depot has kids workshops once a month. It’s free to attend and they even provide you with the supplies. Kids Workshops teach skill-building, creativity, and safety for young DIYers once a month. To be able to attend the workshop you do have to register for it in advance.
Michaels Craft Store
Check your local Michaels Craft store to see if they offer a Camp Creativity Workshop. The Workshop is on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10-noon. You can sign your kids up for only $3 for a 30-minute session.
The three dollars pay for the supplies and lesson. There are new crafts each day and new themes each week. Parents do have to stay with their kids.
Also, there is another Kids Club workshop every Saturday from 10-noon. You can choose from two different projects for ages three and up.
Summer Activities For Kids
Summer activities for kids don’t have to be expensive. It is possible to keep your kids entertained this summer without having to spend a lot of money on day camps and classes. Find discount days on admissions, see what programs parks and libraries have to offer, or what workshops you can find.
How are you planning to keep your kids entertained this summer? Let me know in the comments:)
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