Summertime is in full swing for many of us now. Schedules are opening up a bit and the kids are home, the weather is warm, and the sun is shining! Here are some frugal summer fun ideas:
Campout – Let the kids camp out in the basement, downstairs, or even the backyard. Don’t forget the s’mores! Did you know you can make them in the microwave?
Park hopping – This is one of our family’s favorite activities. Visit just one park or “hop” between a few nearby parks in one day. This really keeps things interesting and the kids don’t bore of the same playground. Check out new parks and old parks in your area.
Hiking – Hawk Mountain is a lot of fun!
Geocaching – There are some websites out there devoted to this treasure hunting activity. Basically, a box is hid at a certain spot in a park and you use your GPS coordinates to find it. I’ve never tried it but it sounds fun!
Superstore chill-out – Beat the heat! Grab a drink at Wegmans and chill out in their air conditioned restaurant area.
Sprinkler – Did you know that you can get a sprinkler for $2-$3 in the gardening section at Wal*Mart? Inexpensive backyard fun!
Bug collecting – Don’t just catch fireflies! Try collecting other creatures and observe and try to identify what species they are. If your kids like creepy crawlies, toads are tremendous fun too.
Bird watching – Fill up your birdfeeders, put up a birdhouse, and get your binoculars handy.
Bubbles – Bubbles are fun and inexpensive. You can make your own with a little dishwashing detergent and water.
Dollar Store – The dollar store has lots of fun outdoor items. Just be careful not to spend too much! One year we got each of the kids water blasters which were a lot of fun, even though they didn’t last for very long. 🙂
Library – Peruse the library’s collection of books, magazines and videos and enjoy their air conditioning while you’re there. Be sure to take home some good reading materials or videos to keep everyone occupied!
Games and puzzles – In our uber plugged-in lifestyle, we often forget the simple, old fashioned things like playing a board game or putting a puzzle together. These activities are great fun and a wonderful way to get everyone communicating with each other.
And one of the best ways to use your time this summer….
Volunteer your time – Think of summer as a time to use those extra moments to bless other people! Visit a shut in, pick flowers for a neighbor, weed the flower gardens at church, deliver cookies to a new friend, make a meal for someone who is weary, write notes to those whom you appreciate or those who need encouragement. Summer fun is a wonderful idea, but when our focus is only on pleasing ourselves, we become unhappy quite quickly!
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16
“This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38
Katina is wife to Graeme and mom to eight fun-loving kids. Some of Katina’s favorite hobbies are bargain shopping and couponing! She is excited to share good deals, fresh money-saving ideas, budgeting tips, and ways to use what you already have so you can best use your resources to further the gospel of Christ. She believes the first step to a healthy financial life begins with a grateful heart. American Christians are an extremely blessed people!