School is almost out, the weather is warming up and it’s time to start planning the family summer activities! But what if you are on a budget and your funds are limited? How do you plan on giving you and your kids an entertaining summer vacation? You don’t have to spend a whole lot of money to have a great time. In my opinion, the best way to show your kids you love them is by devoting your time to them, not spending money on them.
Cook a creative meal together.
One activity I really enjoy doing is cooking and baking and my kids love helping me out. Try and make a fun dinner with your family. First, come up with a meal plan and make sure you have all of the ingredients. Give everyone certain tasks to do. If you want, turn on some music as you all are preparing it. It is a better environment when everyone is enjoying themselves.
Camp inside.
Push the couch and loveseat aside and make room for your own camping site. Just prop the tent up in the living room or make a fort out of blankets like the good old days. Buy the glowing stars from your local retail store and place them all over your ceiling. Download a free nature sounds app on your smartphone. Make S’mores and tell night time stories in your tent. These ideas will give you the feel like you’re really camping.
Host a party.
Get ahold of all your family and friends and invite them all over to your house! Plan a nice picnic and outside fun games for the kids, such as Red-Rover, Simon Says or Red Light, Green Light. Have a prize bucket set aside for the winners.
Find free city-wide activities.
Contact your local library for a list of free events throughout the summer time. Often there are days when the city pool is open at no cost. There are parades, concerts, and art walks. Be sure to check it out.
Partake in a photo shoot.
This is a great activity to do since it will leave you with memories to look back on. Find different props, like your children’s favorite toys to take pictures with. Use your backyard to use as backgrounds. Either dress goofy or conservative. Be sure to have fun with it and take as many photos as you can. You and your family will enjoy going back through them and picking out your favorites. Many online photo websites offer free 4×6 snapshots and all you would have to do is pay shipping. That way, you save money.
Creativity is key! There are endless possibilities to relish you and your family’s time this summer. Take advantage of it.
Kristin Willis is the founder of the blog, Coupon Friendly and a stay at home wife and mom of 4 children from Springfield, Missouri. She’s been writing for 2 years and has a passion for it as well as theater arts and music. Kristin is also a regular contributor to the CareOne Debt Relief Services blog, a provider of debt consolidation.
