Fun and Inexpensive Summer Activities for Kids
Guest post by Mike Jacobs
It’s summer and the kids are out of school, which means you’ll have a lot more time to spend together as a family. Most kids would be content to sit inside and watch TV, surf the Internet, or play video games. Summer weather is perfect for outdoor fun- here are some creative and inexpensive ways to get your kids unplugged and doing something active.
Hold a scavenger hunt. You probably can’t remember the last time you had one! Scavenger hunts are a fun way to while away a few hours on a summer afternoon, and depending on your kids’ ages, you can hold a hunt that’s neighborhood or yard-wide. Make it extra fun by offering hints on what they should look for, instead of just a list of things to find. After the hunt, take them out for ice cream to celebrate all their hard work.
Eat watermelon and hold a seed-spitting contest. You’ve probably heard that it’s rude to spit, but during a watermelon seed-spitting contest, it’s perfectly OK. Take a chilled watermelon outside, cut it into pieces, and have your kids save the seeds as they eat. Put up targets and see who can hit the most.
Plant a garden. Have you ever tried planting a garden with your children? Gardening is a good way to spend quality time together while teaching them a thing or two about responsibility. Go to your local garden center or nursery and let your kids choose a few varieties of plant, then show them how to plant them in the soil. Draw up a schedule of gardening chores like weeding, fertilizing and watering, and encourage your children to do those chores on their own. They’ll get so excited when their plants start to grow that they won’t realize they’re learning at the same time!
Have some fun in the water. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on water park admission to have a splashing good time! We all have fond memories of playing in the sprinkler or hose. Let your kids in on the fun by setting up targets at varying distances, and having them knock them down by spraying them with the hose. To make it competitive, offer a prize for the one who can knock down the most targets in the shortest time.
Make a trip to the library. Most local libraries have summer reading programs that allow grade-schoolers to earn prizes for reading books, but if you’ve instilled a love of reading in your children, such motivational tactics shouldn’t be necessary. Encourage them to read books that hold their interest- your library is a great resource that will let them read more books than you could ever buy. Most libraries hold other special activities for all age ranges, making them a great choice for parents with multiple children.
Go to the museum. While most kids think a trip to the museum would be boring, nothing could be further from the truth. Many science museums offer hands-on exhibits, allowing kids to have fun and learn at the same time. Check with the museum in your area to see if they offer reduced-price admission on certain days during the summer- the place may be more crowded, but the savings you’ll get will make it worthwhile.
Blow some bubbles. We’re not talking about the ones you buy from the dollar store! The following recipe can be used to whip up a batch of homemade bubble solution, which can be used either indoors or outdoors. Just combine a cup of water, two tablespoons glycerin or light corn syrup, food coloring (optional) and four tablespoons dishwashing liquid. Pour the mix into an unbreakable container with a lid, shake to blend, and enjoy! Keep in mind that the solution can make hard surfaces slippery.
It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to keep your children active and entertained during the summer- you just need creativity and imagination. Your kids won’t remember how much money you spent on their summer activities; what they will remember is that you took the time together as a family. Do any or all of the above to create memories that will linger long after summer is over.
Guest post by Mike Jacobs: You can find him on his birthday party page: http://marplesportsarena.com/parties.php, and his summer camp page: http://marplesportsarena.com/summercamp.php
