The Last Day of School

      Today is the last day of school for my kids.  What this means is that from now until September, I am going to have to entertain four children under the age of 9, everyday, on a very tight budget.  Because we are a one income family, I don't have much money to spend on extras, so I have to be creative in finding fun things for my children to do.  I thought I would share with you some of the activities that we do that are either free or at the very least, only a few dollars per child.  
     1.) Check out the local library- Our library has an awesome summer program.  The kids can attend a story and craft session that is totally free.  They also have live magic shows, animal shows, pajama parties, and movies on site; all of which are completely free.  I just look at the schedule and off we go.  The library is our favorite place in the summer.  They have a great children's library and toys, it is air conditioned, and they have computers there too!  Check out your local libraries website for more information on what they have available.  
     2.) Spray Grounds and Playgrounds- There are at least two spray grounds, and a dozen playgrounds that are close to our house and completely free.  Look online and check out what might be available in your area.  
     3.) Go to the Beach- Luckily, I live in an area where there is no shortage of beaches.  We live in the finger lakes, and along Lake Ontario, so usually within 20 miles we have a beach available.  Some of the parks have a fee to get in (usually less than $10/ car) which makes this a very inexpensive trip.  I always pack food and drinks and we stay all day.  We get the most for our money this way.  Check the weather and lake conditions online before you head out though, I have driven to Honeoye Lake several times in the last few years, only to find the beach closed.      4.) Have a summer party- This is always a fun choice for the kids.  I have a lot of friends with children around the ages of my own.  We simply get together for a play-date that we call a "party".  To make this an inexpensive day, we get out the sprinkler or hose, sidewalk chalk, and most recently a kick ball, and let the kids go.  Usually for food, each mom brings something along to share, like cheese crackers, hot dogs, pretzels, or whatever they have in the house.  The kids drink water, eat lunch, and the moms sit around and chat.  What could be better?
     5.)  Arts, Crafts, Coloring, and Writing time-  This is something that we do in the afternoon after lunch.  It allows the kids to wind down a bit and be creative without the distractions of the T.V. or video games.  We also play our board games during this time.  Quiet time is very important for both adults and children, it helps the kids to calm down and when they are calm and quiet, mom is calm too!  It is a win-win!

     These are just a few things that we over the summer to avoid summer boredom (it's bound to happen, even with a full day of activities planned).  Please take some time and share what you do with your kids over the summer.  I am always looking for new and exciting ways to help my kids enjoy their summer vacation, without breaking my bank!  

Playgrounds are a great place to meet up with friends!