Summer on a Shoe String Budget

Ok, so summertime is rapidly approaching. And the hubby and I are trying to be financially responsible and still go on family trips and do fun activities with the kids. Tapping into my Mommy creativity, here are a few ways to entertain the kiddies with limited funds.

Fire Pit

S'mores Yum!

1. S'mores by the camp fire...
My hubby and I recently invested in an inexpensive fire pit for our back yard. I was pleasantly surprised at how affordable they had become. In fact, you can pick one up for $50-$60 at your local Job Lot, Christmas Tree Shop or Home Depot.

The kids really enjoy sitting by the fire as we tell "ghost" stories and roast marshmallows. We have even created a "camp ground" in the living room to sleep at as if we had really gone camping. All the comforts of home with the best features of being outdoors!

Sample Clip Art for Decorating Box Cars

Popcorn with m&m's YUMMY!

 2. Drive-in Movie Night!
This one is a favorite. I got some big boxes big enough for the kids to sit in and printed out headlights, steering wheels, car radios, and bumper stickers I found online by googling "car" clip art. The kids decorated their box cars while I set up the "snack stand" with juice boxes, pop corn and candy. Then they sat in their cars in front of the tv with their snacks and watched a movie. No mess from food because it all falls in their box car! Now if you can't get your hands on recycled boxes, you can pick up moving boxes at your local hardware store for a reasonable price.

Ice Cream Social TIME!

Blacksmith demonstration at Founder's Day

3. FREE Activities in Your Community!
Keep an eye out for family events held in your town. Our town library hosts an ice cream social and the parks department sponsors "Movies Under The Stars" a handful of nights in the summer. Any historical landmarks or houses in your town? Check with your local historical society. My kids enjoyed going to "Founders Day" where they learned about our towns history and enjoyed potato sack races and free pony rides.

Jazz Band at Farmer's Market

Town Turtle Comes to The Farmer's Market

4. Visit your local farmer's market
Get some food shopping done AND entertain your kids! It's become our summer weekend tradition to check out the homemade bread table and produce stand. Occasionally, a jazz band or a few farm animals even make an appearance. Sometimes we even have a picnic lunch on site. The kids love going from tent to tent and discovering all of the new treats!

Example of a Coconut Race

5. Theme Nights!
So this is something we have recently been having. Once a month we hold a pot luck dinner theme night. We invite a few family friends and they bring their kids and a food dish to share. The adults hang out while the kids have a group play date. No sitters needed, and you get adult interaction! We've had Italian night where the kids make their own pizza, Mexican night where we get a piñata and the kids make their own tacos, and most recently (in honor of summer) Polynesian Night!

See how flexible the little kiddies are by playing limbo. Pick up some fabric flower leis and glow sticks from the Dollar Store....AND you can't forget the plastic pine apple or coconut cups from the party store to serve them tropical punch in. OR get a few coconuts from your grocery store and have coconut races. You see who can push the coconut the furthest using a broom. And coconut bowling with some empty water bottles standing in for pins (decorate them as palm trees) using the coconut as the bowling ball is always fun. (Both games best to be played outside.) Last but not least, don't forget hula dancing by that fire pit you just invested in!

Happy Summer!!!!