It’s that time of year when again. The kids are home and, as busy moms, we have to find something for them to do.   As you well know, some of those activities can cost a lot of money.  But, with a little planning, your family can have fun this summer while spending little money.  In my family, we get together and make a list of ideas the kids have that they want to do in the summer.  They come up with lots of ideas that really do not cost a lot.  Here are a few ideas to help you plan some fun, and frugal, summer activities.

Public Library

The first thing I do when I move to a new place is seek out the Public Library.  This place is great any time of the year, but in the summertime most libraries have summer reading programs geared at youth while they are out of school.  They have special events and incentives for children to read during the summer.  At my library, we have activities for the kids Monday thru Thursday.  They have story/craft day, Fun with 4-H, Movie Day, Wii Gaming, and Painting with a professional painter.  My kids have really enjoyed these events and it really makes the summer go fast.  My kids also get a t-shirt if they read a certain number of books.  So, go check out your library and see what they are doing.

Family Memberships

Last year we went to the swimming pool only a couple of times because it cost so much for my family of 6.  This year we checked out the family pass cost.  With the pass, we could go whenever we wanted during the summer and the cost was much less than if we would have taken the family several times.  So, check out places around you.  This includes museums, pools, parks, etc.  You will get more for your money with the family pass, and with a large family, that’s a must for me.

Movie Nights at Home

My family loves to have movie night.  I usually make homemade pizza and a special dessert for dinner.  This saves a ton of money instead of ordering delivery.  We also save money on our movie.  We get movies at the public library.  They usually have all the new movies and we can even reserve the movie at our library.  Since a lot of people seem to use this service, I would highly recommend reserving if your library offers it.  We also get movies from the Redbox.  They are usually $1.00 a night; very frugal!  My kids also love to watch movies we already own, ones they have watched a hundred times, so we never spend much money on the movie either.  I also like to get my air popper out and pop our own popcorn for the movie.  We have also bought the movie box candies at Dollar Stores, like The Dollar Tree for $1.00.  I love family home movie nights and I also love that they are fun and frugal.

Use Nature For Fun

We plan a lot of free activities by using nature.  My kids love catching lightening bugs or fireflies.  They could spend a whole evening out doing that.  There are also lots of trails that you could pack a lunch and take your family on a hike.  Most of these trails are free.  You could also just go to the park and take a walk with your family.  We have a trail at our local park and our kids love to walk or ride their scoters.  We also stop at a place where you can skip rocks across the pond.  I have made lots of special memories with my kids during these times.  Many families also go biking together.  These kinds of activities are mostly free and you get to take advantage of the nature around you.

Free Movies

During the summer, many theaters will have a special matinee that you can go to for free.  We don’t have any of those close to me, but you should check this out because for the price of your snacks, you could take in a movie with your child.  Where I live, we have movies in the park every Friday night.  All you have to do is bring a blanket and your own snacks and you are all set.  I even know of a park that has the summer theaters for free, like Hamlet.  So, look around for free movies in your area and have lots of frugal fun.

 Whatever you plan to do this summer, try to make it fun and frugal.