A few weeks ago I wrote a post about how to help your kiddos become not so bored all the time. This time around I’ve come up with some cheap or FREE and fun, ideas to help move the last few weeks of summer along.
Utilizing local resources is a must! I often check out the website for our local community center. Our small town offers an array of activities for kiddos. One program is called Summer Adventure Days. This is a neat program that happens on Tuesdays. The kids take trips to water parks, outdoor crafts, trips to theaters, and trips to parks. Its chalked full of good stuff! It does cost $40.00 bucks but our community center offers discounts for special circumstance. I’m betting you community center offers programs just like this one, and offers special discounts too! If you’re unsure, just ask, or look on their website.
A close second to the community center is the library! They offer all sorts of programs like book clubs for preteens, and summer reading lists. plus fun events like cook offs, small concerts, and craft events. I try to encourage the girls to read as often as possible. Which right now they hate, but I hope they will learn to love one day.
Along the same lines, as the library and community center, there are movies in the park and concerts in the park. These are great activities for the whole family to take part in! Movies in the park are often free or cheap. In McMinnville, the town we are from, the movies in the park were 5 bucks for a family. The movies are very family friendly, so they are safe for everyone. Take a blanket and hang out! Concerts are also fun because they are local bands providing free music or music for a small donation. Supporting them in awesome!
Living in central Oregon, we have access to tons of bike riding trails and hiking trails. Going for a bike ride is a great way to waist a summer day. It also is a great way to get some fresh air and some exercise. This is especially true for Emory, who broke her ankle in April, and spent three months virtually immobile. This is also true for Shelby who has seemed to want to spend her days locked in her room with Netflix. Alright, Its true for everyone, fresh air and exercise is good for everyone.
Cooking class! I love teaching the girls how to cook! Even Willow can get involved. When we make banana bread, I throw the bananas into a gallon sized baggie and let her smash them all up for me! I used to do the same thing with my niece and nephew. Cooking is a different way to express yourself, I’m not good at drawing so I express myself by cooking.
Tie dye. I know, I know… Insert eye roll here. The mess… the stains on things that weren’t meant to be tie-dyed. Oh the mess. But also! The fun! the giggles and cackles! Plus the ability to make your own designs! This 12 color tie dye kit is very easy to use. Just grab some white t-shirts and away you go!
Volunteering. This is a great way for kids to gain job experience and get the feel of helping others. Some ideas for volunteering is at a pet shelter. They always need help taking care of the animals. Walking the dogs, playing with the cats, feeding and watering the animals. Helping out at the senior center can also be fun. Playing games and learning something new. Sometimes some people just want someone to talk to! This is a free activity, and it gets the kids out of the house!
Having a camp out is fun! The girls like to set up a tent, throw all of their blankets in there and pretend they are in the wild. I mean technically they are in the wild, we live three miles out of town. Throwing a scavenger hunt also goes along with having a camp out. Make a list of things like pine cones, sticks, bugs, frogs, leaves, flowers, garbage…whatever your heart desires!
Celebrating weird holidays is a fun way to hang out for free! Here is a list of daily holidays that are silly and fun! https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun/ . You can celebrate Frankenstein day by having your kids walk around like the big dude, or you can make crafts in his honor!
I hope you enjoyed these ideas and I hope they have been helpful for you!
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