How to Inexpensive Summer Fun

Many parents are cutting back on summer camps due to the recession. But your children can still enjoy summer vacation if you think of some creative ways to have fun.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• newspaper, arts and crafts

1. Read your local parent magazines and newspapers for free and inexpensive activities. Many cities have parks, summer programs, and inexpensive museums. Some movie theatres have free movies during the day for children. The library is also a great place to visit. Many libraries have special programs in the summer.

2. Rediscover arts and crafts. You can buy very inexpensive arts and crafts from www.orientaltrading.com. Bring back board games to your family. Use this as an opportunity to grow close with your family again.

3. Save money on summer camps. Have a "weekly theme" in your neighborhood. Each parent can take turns with a different theme based upon their gifts or interest. Ideas: make a scrapbook, key chain, learn about ancient Egypt, bugs, dinosaurs, or Rome. Learn and act a play for parents and friends. Each parent will take a week with a group of kids.

Tips & Warnings

• Find fun, free activities in your community.
• Network with parents and share resources.
• Don't forget about learning. Print off some educational worksheets to review or preview what was learned in school. www.edhelper.com is a great site for this.
• Share the cost of activities with other parents.
• Do a background check on all adults that will supervise children.

Resources

• Oriental Trading Company (arts and crafts)
• Ed helper (education worksheets)