I Need Stuff Too Do with My Childern This Summer

Sign up with kidsaroundtown.com and dfw mamas they send out newsletters all the time about free/cheap stuff. Also Dallas child they do too for the dfw area.

Updated

Sign up with kidsaroundtown.com and dfw mamas they send out newsletters all the time about free/cheap stuff. Also Dallas child they do too for the dfw area.

The dallas and fort worth zoo are great. The arboretum has specials on mondays and tuesdays. The memberships are close to $100 for a family but you can use them as many time as you want.

don't know if you have a yard, but a slip n slide, sprinkler, or small pool is good for hours of entertainment. also a sandbox. sidewalk chalk, "nature" walks (even if it's just around the neighborhood), walks around the local mall (many times they have kids play areas). the local pool isn't usually too expensive to go once in awhile. trips to the library are always nice. my son has just discovered fishing thanks to our memorial day camping trip, so if you aren't squeamish (i totally am!) that's a good option. many parks do fishing for kids pretty cheaply. we also take the dog for walks and play fetch with her, take her to the dog park.

lots of afternoons when it's too hot to play outside, we do computer games, arts/crafts (coloring, finger paints, stickers, play-doh, etc) he helps me with "chores" such as loading/unloading the dishwasher, folding laundry, vacuuming. cleaning up after himself - picking up his toys - takes a pretty big chunk out of the day! hth.

All I know is, its good to have a daily routine.... wake up, chores, eat breakfast, go to the park, run around, have lunch, nap... do crafts, run errands etc.
Anything that is your/their routine.
Then that way the kids aren't just 'bored' or getting on each other's nerves...
I know, things cost so much money... and if taking them places each day it really adds up.
I have that problem too. My daughter is home for 2 weeks before her summer fun program starts and then I also have a 3.5 year old home too. If I don't delineate what we are doing each day... they get in each other's hairs. Then not fun for me.

Or go on hikes... parks, the library, bookstore, do a picnic outdoors, have water play in your yard, do gardening, collect rocks then paint them...
My kids like to collect things, so we often do that too, outside, then make something with the stuff they collect. I also have them help me clean the house.

I know though, its not easy always coming up with stuff for the kids to do. Oh, and we have 'quiet time' too... in the afternoons and nap. Which is for me too.

all the best,
Susan

I have heard that Studio Movie Grill does a $1 (I think) movie on Wednesdays, but it is an older movie (like Cars). Also, AMC and Cinemark have a kids club deal in the summer, AMC is $1 on Wednesdays for the kids.

If you go to www.kidsbowlfree.com you can sign up and get 2 free bowling games per day (M-F) for the summer.

VBS at a local church is a good idea. Most of them it seems have started charging for it, the one I signed my younger son up for was only $10 for the week though.

If your kids are interested in baseball there are always tournaments going on on weekends, a lot of them do not charge to get in, so you could take your kids and go watch a little league baseball game for free.

http://www.metroplexbaby.com/DFW-On-A-Budget.html

Check out this website. It has a list of things you can do in the DFW area that are low cost.

Here's an interactive water park in Grand Prairie that costs $1 and I'm pretty sure you can taken in your own food: http://www.grandfungp.com/aquatics/splashfactory.htm
Or:
http://abbeysplaytown.com/

You didn't say how old your kids are? There are indoor playplaces at the mall, McDonalds or Chick Fil A were you could go for ice crean and the kids play inside. The Dallas Museum of Art has free entrance with activities on Tuesdays. Cinemark movies do $1 shows during the summer-look on their website.

I've had a similar question recently...

Maybe this can help you...

http://www.mamapedia.com/questions/5072231938018836481

1. water fights
2. buy a snow cone maker at Walmart..less then $20 plus $2.50 for ea. flavor. On a hot day this is fun.
3. visit some local museums
4. take up biking..if the kids are really little then purchase a bike trailer
5. If your kids are least 3 yrs old start hosting summer "manhunt" its in the dark hide-n-seek outside. I started it last summer some night we had twenty kids.
6. buy a tie dye kit you can do it mess free in your washer
7. get a guide book and teach your kids local plants and trees
8. go camping locally
9. have a picnic on the front lawn
10. set up the air bed in the living room and have a pj and movie day
11. make chocolate strawberries super easy.
12. enjoy

Updated

1. water fights
2. buy a snow cone maker at Walmart..less then $20 plus $2.50 for ea. flavor. On a hot day this is fun.
3. visit some local museums
4. take up biking..if the kids are really little then purchase a bike trailer
5. If your kids are least 3 yrs old start hosting summer "manhunt" its in the dark hide-n-seek outside. I started it last summer some night we had twenty kids.
6. buy a tie dye kit you can do it mess free in your washer
7. get a guide book and teach your kids local plants and trees
8. go camping locally
9. have a picnic on the front lawn
10. set up the air bed in the living room and have a pj and movie day
11. make chocolate strawberries super easy.
12. enjoy

Look for library story times and summer reading programs. Also the local community pool. Michaels and JoAnns often have some kid events....go in and get a calendar. And set up some play dates with friends. -- The local dollar theater is also an air conditioned alternative. Happy summer!

I'm a big fan of the story times at the library.
There are a number of parks with splash pads in arlington.
Free concerts: http://www.levittpavilionarlington.org/ConcertCalendar/ta...
They start kinda late but if you don't have to get up and be somewhere in the morning then they are fun.
Check out the city website for other fun & free/cheap things - don't forget the surrounding cities.

In Texas? There are historical sites to visit, parks, picnics, take flowers to the nursing home.The Library usually has summer reading programs. Sometimes with really cool prizes! Depending on the age of the children: things like a lemonade stand, mowing lawns for older people in your neighborhood, helping a busy or stressed mom with chores... When children form a relationship with an older member of the community, they learn from each other. And sometimes, they even get a little something for their efforts. Joining 4-H could get them some great activities, opportunity for scholarships and chances to win ribbons, prizes and even cash at your local fair!

How old are your children?

Check out your local library. Every library that I have ever been in has a Summer reading program. If the child reads a certain number of hours before the end of summer, they can get some little prizes. Best of all, the program is free.

Also, most libraries also have a story hour at least once per week.

You can also check out the Arlington Parks and Recreation. I am sure they will be able to provide you with a list of activities at the local parks and preserves. Typically these are fairly cheap, if not free.

You could also take your children to a nature preserve and make a game of identifying all of the animals, plants, and insects you spot. This is a great learning activity, great way to get some exercise, and will get everyone out of the house for the summer.

don't know how old your children are but mine (toddler) likes half-price books or any large bookstore; movies (there are childrens matinees during the summer for $1 or $2); local libraries (bookstores in northpark mall is great); the arboretum, zoo or special kids events at the DMA or nasher sculpture center; and I just posted about local waterparks: there is Garland Surf & Swim, NRH2O or Hawaiian Falls that are less expensive than Hurricane Harbor. Good luck!

What about the zoo? I don't know how expensive it would be, but usually you can get a really good deal if you buy the annual pass.

Again, we don't know the age of your kids, but as a girl I used to like to set up a whole barbie wonderland outside on the driveway, get every single piece out.

Or set up the hot wheels track outside so that it could really spread out. Build it up over chairs, etc and make tall ramps.

Start a rock collection

Bike rides

Fishing

Sparklers

Finger paint

Make a pinwheel (you can find a template online) Cut it out and decorate

Teach them how to sew, simple things like a pillow or a shirt for a baby doll

Cook with them

Go apple picking or strawberries or whatever's in season (can't remember)

Hopefully some of these suggestions are helpful, I tried to think of things for lots of different ages!

joint a pool and buy lots of sunblock! my best childhood memories are at the pool, running in the sprinklers and visiting the library.