Keeping your kids entertained while on summer break can be expensive. From registration fees for summer camps to day care, the total can quickly add up to big bucks by the time kids go back to school. With thrift in mind, here are some great ideas for fun activities that are free - or close to it!
1. Have a camp-out in your yard. Take advantage of the great weather and go camping in your own backyard. Put away the electronics and enjoy nature.
2. Go to a movie or concert in the park. Local resorts, ballparks, and recreation departments offer movies and concerts featuring local musicians. Check the local or neighborhood sections of your newspaper – and Macaroni Kid – for event times and locations.
3. Be a tourist in your hometown. Get to know Roanoke, Salem, Floyd, Buchanan, and many of the other nearby towns. You might be surprised by what you find just down the road.
4. Have a family boot camp. Have the whole family agree on some exercises - whether it’s karate, yoga, or strength training - and find instructional videos on YouTube. Participating as a family can help build self-esteem and make your family closer.
5. Visit the library. Local libraries offer numerous programs for kids and adults. Even if you don’t find a program that interests you, look for some books to read individually or as a family.
6. Redeem report card rewards. Bowling alleys, pizza joints, movie theaters, and others offer free or discounted admissions for students who earned a high grade point average on their report card. Do some research, then redeem those rewards!
7. Make your own water park. In your yard, set up sprinklers, fill up some squirt bottles and water balloons, lay out the camping tarp, and get the hose ready. Kids of all ages will enjoy cooling off from the summer heat.
8. Be on the lookout for Scoop the Ice Cream Truck. Freedom First’s Scoop makes appearances at events throughout the summer. We always have free ice cream for the kids and the young-at- heart. Take a break from the heat, stop by, and say Hi!
Summer doesn’t have to take a lot out of your pocketbook. You only need a little bit of creativity and a little effort to find activities the whole family can enjoy - while mom and dad enjoy a little budget relief. Have a great summer!
