Tips like these helped us pay off $127K in debt. You can read our story in Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After.
School’s out for summer! There are so many fun opportunities – from camps to festivals and fairs to weekend excursions to the amusement park. But we all know we can’t do it all. We can’t say, “yes” to every invitation, museum, pool day, and ice cream cone out. Hopefully these summer kid activities will give you a good springboard to have some free and affordable fun with your family this summer. But before we get there, let’s talk about why you want to “do it all” with your kiddos.
Believe it or not, it’s actually a really great thing. In Matthew 7:9-11, Jesus says “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” You see, wanting to give good gifts to your children actually comes from being made in the image of God. So stop feeling guilty for wanting to bless them.
However, there is a point where we go overboard, buying more than necessary or indulging ourselves and our kids when we don’t have the cash to support it. Believe me, I’ve been there. Honestly though, when you remember your favorite summers, I bet you don’t recall things or even flashy experiences at all. I’m guessing you recall people and simple pleasures. Keep that in mind as you plan your summer fun.
Summer Reading Programs
In our house, reading is a competitive sport. Both of the princesses have large sheets of newsprint taped to their wall listing every book they read this summer. Thankfully, Barnes & Noble, Half Priced Books, Chuck E. Cheese, Scholastic, and of course your local library all offer incentives to keep your little book worm on track while on a break from school. Be sure you track both minutes and titles to take full advantage of each program. Take a few minutes to get signed up and begin logging those pages and hours.
Summer Movie Camps
Who doesn’t love a cool theater on a hot summer day? Take a break from playing outside and take in a flick. Some chains and local theaters offer a Tuesday or Wednesday morning film for free or as little as $1. Head to your theater’s website to see if they are participating and check out the line up of movies. Cinemark, Regal, and a number of local independent chains all offer similar programs. There are usually discounted snacks, too. Be sure you go early as many day camps also bring campers to these films. Often, the movies are last year’s big hits or classics, not typically the newer movies on the market.
Parks and Recreation Departments
From splash parks to playgrounds, hiking trails, and basketball courts, your local parks and recreation department has so much to offer families this summer. Search the nearest city’s name with “Parks Department” to get a line up or swing into your local community center to grab a catalog of events and offerings. Take in a free concert or pay a small fee to enroll your child in a class. Make a bucket list of all of the parks around town and visit one per week, ranking the playground. Take advantage of the great fun offered for a small price tag.
City Festivals and Parades
Nothing says summer like a 4th of July parade and fireworks display. Summer is a great time to find a local festival to enjoy. Set the dates on your calendar now so you don’t miss out on the fun. Art fairs, music festivals, kids events (we love PBS Kids in the Park!), and more are in your town and the neighboring municipality. Check out the nearest visitor’s and convention bureau to access calendars and mark the dates.
Kids Workshops & Classes
Did you know your local Home Depot, Lowe’s, Michael’s, Lake Shore Learning, Lego Store, Pottery Barn, Apple Stores, and Microsoft stores have free fun to offer this summer? Many Saturday mornings there are FREE workshops, events, and classes for kids. Most of the workshops are absolutely free. Typically these events are geared toward elementary aged kids and you stay with your child while it’s going on (it’s not free childcare).
Simple Summer
Chalk art, making your own ice cream, build your own sprinkler, growing a garden – there are plenty of summer activities that cost very little and make big memories. Check out Seven Ideas for Frugal Summer Fun for Kids and Budget Friendly Kids’ Summertime Snacks PLUS Creamy Blueberry Popsicle Recipe for some ideas of how to keep summer easy and affordable.
Don’t sing the summertime blues. You can still have plenty of meaningful fun under the summer sun. Make the time with your kids count and remember to spend time, not money.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal or maybe even something for free, you also help our family pay off our mortgage early. And for that, we royally thank you!
