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- Daughters: Ages 34 & 32
- Grandsons: Ages 2, 2 & 17 months
- Work at home
- Group Leader
- Inexpensive Summer Activities for Kids
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We've been getting ads in the mail for all the local summer camps and kid programming in surrounding towns as well as our own. I can't believe some of the prices they're charging for school age summer programming! A two week computer camp is over $1,000!
One of my neighbors, a teacher, took the initiative and got her child care license. This summer she's running an inexpensive day camp in her home that includes daily activities and field trips. She's charging less than half of what other camps are charging. What a great idea!
What are some of the other inexpensive activities your kids can or will be involved in this summer?
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Go Green! Eat Lean! Live Clean! - Belle
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- Daughters: Ages 34 & 32
- Grandsons: Ages 2, 2 & 17 months
- Work at home
- Group Leader
- FamilyHost_Annabelle - July 08, 2009
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One of the moms in our preschool sent an email yesterday saying that Regal Movie Theaters around the country are offering free movies on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. They have one G and one PG movie per week. That's definitely a great way to escape the summer heat and kill an hour or two. Also, if you have younger kids, it's a nice way to introduce them to the movie theater experience. You'll be surrounded by other families, so if your little one has a meltdown, it won't be annoying to anyone. And some of the noise, movement, and over-excitement of little kids should be understood by the other patrons.
- By Helen-NotofTroy
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That's great info, Helen. Thanks for sharing that!
A few years back one of the local theaters used to have free admission to any student who brought in a book report. I thought that was neat!
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Go Green! Eat Lean! Live Clean! - Belle
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- Daughters: Ages 19 & 15
- Forest Hill, MD
- Work part-time outside home
- Helen-NotofTroy - July 07, 2009
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One of the moms in our preschool sent an email yesterday saying that Regal Movie Theaters around the country are offering free movies on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. They have one G and one PG movie per week. That's definitely a great way to escape the summer heat and kill an hour or two.
Also, if you have younger kids, it's a nice way to introduce them to the movie theater experience. You'll be surrounded by other families, so if your little one has a meltdown, it won't be annoying to anyone. And some of the noise, movement, and over-excitement of little kids should be understood by the other patrons.
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- Daughters: Ages 34 & 32
- Grandsons: Ages 2, 2 & 17 months
- Work at home
- Group Leader
- FamilyHost_Annabelle - July 03, 2009
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Our local library has summer programming for kids of all ages. They also have passes to all the major museums and exhibits in Boston. Most passes are free or will reduce the regular entrance fee (getting into the Museum of Fine Arts is only $5 with the pass for up to four people). Check with your local library to see if they offer passes for local attractions.
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Go Green! Eat Lean! Live Clean! - Belle
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- Son: Age 4
- Daughter: Age 4
- Step-daughter: Age 14
- Philadelphia, PA
- Stay at home
- maddoxabz - July 02, 2009
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Since I have little ones keeping them busy is pretty easy. Our local craft store has free kids crafts every Wed afternoon, there's preschool story hour every Friday morning at the library. The library also has a summer reading program for preschoolers up to teens, they get passes for bowling, different food stores and an amusement park. We do fingerpainting outside so they can really get messy and I don't have to worry about clean up, just hose everything and everyone down. We go for walks in the park and feed the ducks. A friend and I went half on a zoo membership and I also have a membership to the Please Touch Museum. We do lots of reading during the day and they love do draw and color. I try and do a little cooking/baking with them even if it's just making fruit salad or smoothies. Oh yeah going outside and blowing bubbles is another favorite which they can do forever!
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Beauty is self acceptance
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- Son: Age 7
- Daughters: Ages 17, 14 & 11
- Everman, TX
- Work full-time outside home
- ErinL32 - June 30, 2009
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There are tons of things to do for free (or very little). I've been cataloging the ideas to get us through a long summer! 1) Our library has great programs--we saw a magician this past week--plus a great reading program that gives out a coupon book for free ice cream, free pizza, free mini golf, etc. at local places. 2) You can register your kids at KidsBowlFree.com to get two free games every day before 5pm. You do have to pay to rent shoes. 3) Lots of movie theaters are offering free kid movies on weekday mornings. Check your local theater's website for more info. 4) Stores all over town are offering free craft projects, usually on Saturday's. Check the websites for Michael's and Lakeshore Learning for the schedule. Lowe's and Home Depot also offer projects one Saturday a month. 5) The National Park service has many free parks nationwide plus others have "fee-free weekends" available. You can also do a kids outdoor activity program free through REI Sporting Good stores to get a field journal and prizes. 6) We trade off playdates with friends. I get an empty house once in a while, a very full one on other days. 7) My son and I ordered our local Tourism booklet and found a bunch of free places to go that we hadn't heard of before--botanical gardens, hiking paths, etc. We have a list and aim to see them all before summer's end. 8) We're trying out new playgrounds and parks each week. The kids are excited about seeing new equipment and places. Hope these ideas help!
- By CouponsCoach
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Thanks for all the great tips! I definitely plan to look into #2 and #4 on your list. I think my son would be interested in doing something at Lowe's or Home Depot.y girls are spending the summer at their Dad's, so I'm all for trying to find cheap ideas to keep my son busy.
we just finished the Summer Reading Program at the local library. Also the botanical gardens here are free except to visit the conservatory and even then, the price is very minimal.
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Family is life's greatest accomplishment.
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- Daughters: Ages 34 & 32
- Grandsons: Ages 2, 2 & 17 months
- Work at home
- Group Leader
- FamilyHost_Annabelle - June 30, 2009
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There are tons of things to do for free (or very little). I've been cataloging the ideas to get us through a long summer! 1) Our library has great programs--we saw a magician this past week--plus a great reading program that gives out a coupon book for free ice cream, free pizza, free mini golf, etc. at local places. 2) You can register your kids at KidsBowlFree.com to get two free games every day before 5pm. You do have to pay to rent shoes. 3) Lots of movie theaters are offering free kid movies on weekday mornings. Check your local theater's website for more info. 4) Stores all over town are offering free craft projects, usually on Saturday's. Check the websites for Michael's and Lakeshore Learning for the schedule. Lowe's and Home Depot also offer projects one Saturday a month. 5) The National Park service has many free parks nationwide plus others have "fee-free weekends" available. You can also do a kids outdoor activity program free through REI Sporting Good stores to get a field journal and prizes. 6) We trade off playdates with friends. I get an empty house once in a while, a very full one on other days. 7) My son and I ordered our local Tourism booklet and found a bunch of free places to go that we hadn't heard of before--botanical gardens, hiking paths, etc. We have a list and aim to see them all before summer's end. 8) We're trying out new playgrounds and parks each week. The kids are excited about seeing new equipment and places. Hope these ideas help!
- By CouponsCoach
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That's a great compilation of ideas, Gina! Thank you. :)
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Go Green! Eat Lean! Live Clean! - Belle
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- Son: Age 6
- Daughters: Ages 3 & 3
- Stay at home
- CouponsCoach - June 30, 2009
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There are tons of things to do for free (or very little). I've been cataloging the ideas to get us through a long summer!
1) Our library has great programs--we saw a magician this past week--plus a great reading program that gives out a coupon book for free ice cream, free pizza, free mini golf, etc. at local places.
2) You can register your kids at KidsBowlFree.com to get two free games every day before 5pm. You do have to pay to rent shoes.
3) Lots of movie theaters are offering free kid movies on weekday mornings. Check your local theater's website for more info.
4) Stores all over town are offering free craft projects, usually on Saturday's. Check the websites for Michael's and Lakeshore Learning for the schedule. Lowe's and Home Depot also offer projects one Saturday a month.
5) The National Park service has many free parks nationwide plus others have "fee-free weekends" available. You can also do a kids outdoor activity program free through REI Sporting Good stores to get a field journal and prizes.
6) We trade off playdates with friends. I get an empty house once in a while, a very full one on other days.
7) My son and I ordered our local Tourism booklet and found a bunch of free places to go that we hadn't heard of before--botanical gardens, hiking paths, etc. We have a list and aim to see them all before summer's end.
8) We're trying out new playgrounds and parks each week. The kids are excited about seeing new equipment and places.Hope these ideas help!
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- Work part-time outside home
- kayceecat - June 29, 2009
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Our library has some great programming for kids, even teens. I'd sugggest checking your library's website or calling the children's department of it to see what is offered in your area. Parks and Rec here has a few times a summer that they have a movie in the pool night. The jr. high pool is opened and you can watch a movie from your pool float. I think they charge a couple of dollars.
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- Daughters: Ages 19 & 15
- Forest Hill, MD
- Work part-time outside home
- Helen-NotofTroy - June 28, 2009
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Our county recreation department has a lot of great summer programs over the summer. The Boys & Girls clubs offer good options, too. Interestingly enough, the Girl Scouts also offer very affordable ($10/wk) day programs for kids that aren't yet scouts. It's a neat way for them to get a light touch of what scouting offers but doesn't require a huge commitment of money or time.
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- Giggles_all_day - June 28, 2009
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Those are great ideas, Giggles! Thank you for sharing. :)
- By FamilyHost_Annabelle
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You are welcome! I cannot wait to get more ideas from other members :)
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