7 Cheap Summer Activities for Kids

Summer vacation is upon us and that means your kids are all yours for three whole months! Excited? Panicked? A little bit of both?

You’re not alone. Parents everywhere are wracking their brains for affordable options to keep their kids entertained. If only summer camp were more affordable, right?

Not to worry; I’ve come up with several great ideas that will keep your kids occupied without breaking the bank.

1. Hit the Alleys
   Register at KidsBowlFree.com and enjoy two free games per kid per day at participating alleys. The program gives local bowling centers the opportunity to give back to their communities and offers a safe and fun environment for kids over the summer.

2. Get Crafty
   Keep your kids’ creative juices flowing during those rainy summer days by following my Kids’ Craft board on Pinterest for inspiration. Have your kiddos write down their ideas on slips of paper and collect them in a jar. Once the first raindrop hits the pavement, select an idea from the jar and get crafting!

3. Go Couponing
   The magic of summer break doesn’t eliminate the necessity of such mundane activities as house cleaning and grocery shopping. Get your kids involved in the latter by collecting grocery coupons from CouponSherpa.com and having them track down products in the store. This not only saves you time but helps your kids understand the importance of using coupons to save money.

4. Get to the Movies
   Escape the summer heat with cheap movies from select theatres. Cinemark’s Summer Movie Clubhouse offers 10 shows for $5 when purchased in advance, or $1 per show when purchased at the ticket window. Similarly, AMC Theatre offers baby mommas an opportunity to see “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” on June 5 in a newborn-friendly environment. Check out Bring Your Baby Day for more details.

5. Stay Local
   Check out your city’s website for available activities in the approprirate age group. The parks and recreation program in my city offers a multitude of fun things for my girls, including swimming and dance lessons. Otherwise, sign up for daily deals from Groupon, Living Social and Seize the Deal for savings on unique activities, or pick up an Entertainment Book for local discounts.

6. Eat Out
   With all the activities you have planned for your kids, they’re bound to get hungry! Before you head to the nearest restaurant, check out this list of 101 restaurants where kids eat free. Even if your kids are young enough to split an entree, take full advantage of this offering and order separate meals for leftovers.

7. Give Back
   We all know it’s better to give than receive, and summer is a wonderful opportunity to get your kids involved in their community. Ask your local church or soup kitchen if they need help, or spend some time at the nursing home or senior center. You can also find a comprehensive list of age-appropriate opportunities on VolunteerMatch.com.