2 part question. What types of activites do you do with your children over the summer break, preferably inexpensive? My kids will go to one bible camp for sure at their schoool, but it is only 1/2 day. They are on a waiting list for another one that is all day (honestly if they dont get in I am fine with it, I would like some time with them at home. The fist camp is the first week they are out of school and the second camp is the second week, for me it would almost be like they are still in school, I wish the camps were spread out) Then they will probably each get a week at a sports camp, my daughter soocer and my son baseball. (this is because they want to go, we dont force it) Besides that there will hopefully be many days they are home with me and I want to have activites for us to do besides sitting around all day. I have been buying social living deals for some outtings and have some crafts stocked up, we do camp outs in the backyard and swim. What other kinds of things would be fun? I also have no problem with having other kids here through out the summer already told many parents I will be home and they are welcome to bring kids over to play while they are at work.
Second part of question, different kinds of snacks and lunch ideas to keep it interesting! THANKS!! YEAY SUMMER break is ALMOST here!
Don't underestimate the power of a sprinkler when it comes to having a bunch of kids over on a hot summer day! I also buy a bunch of cheap water guns, fill a few buckets up with water and if the kids come over they can play with those and I don't have to leave the spicket running.
-zoos
-diff parks each time we go (we find new ones)
-picnic in the backyard
-movie day (set up like a movie theatre inside or out, hv popcorn)
-mini golf (lk for coupons)
-we also do mini golf, basketball & baseball in the backyard
-crafts (finger painting, painting white plaster plaques or figurines, paint
inexpensive wood objects from the Dollar Store)
-I find places that have "free" day for things like train rides etc
-library for reading time
-make a psuedo carnival in the backyard one day
-try making new snacks/food/lunches etc
-go for a mini hike
-walks around the neighborhood
-ride bikes
-trips to nearby lakes, beach etc
-pretend camp in the backyard. Set up a tent etc
-"science day". one day it's all about dinosaurs, next day you make a
volano erupt etc
-swimming at a local pool
-nature walk (look for bugs, squirrels, leaves etc)
-crafts
Swim, hike, walk urban trails, picnic, go to the beach for the day. Get a map and visit parks in other neighborhoods, hang out at the library or mall when it gets too hot. Find a movie theatre that does midday movies for kids. Take the kids to browse and shop Costco where they can choose new snacks to try. Go on Saturday when they can taste test their way through the store. Tour the capitol, drive to historic sites, go to San Francisco and park your car at the end of the Bart or trolley line and take public transportation into the city. People watch, eat Chinese food, tour Alcatraz. Check out local museums. Go to old town Sacramento and play tourist, compare candy stores, wander. Invite friends over, watch old movies and eat popcorn, lie around on the floor, take a nap.
No other resource is needed....well, I use this site for almost everything!
we usually go to the beach or slip n slide outside, sprinklers and water guns! a friend recently took her 2 toddlers on the local train just to another city about 20 minutes away to go to a park to play and lunch, but the kids thought the train was the best! i'm going to try that soon!
I used to make an outline calendar for the entire summer.
On Monday's I would have a list f suggestions based on what around town always happened on Monday's.
Half price swimming, free child's ice cream with purchase of adult ice cream.
Tuesday story time and free craft at book store
Brown bag special at sonic
Free jazz concert in the park
Wed.
children's film free with adult movie ticket purchase
Thursday free museum day
You get the idea.
Also we tried to go swimming as often as possible.
We kept a cooler in the car with drinks, fruit, bag with snacks, sunscreen, hats, beach towels..lthis way we did not have to repackage every time.
Then as I heard about special events again I would add the info onto the calendar as they popped up. Neighborhood 4 th of July cookout, birthday parties, parades, etc...
I attached coupons for events to the calendar and noted them on the calendar.
The crafts and science projects were things I came up with based on our daughters current interest.
Fairies? We made fairy houses
Harry Potter? We made wands, hats and a cape
We always had a puzzle going.
Sculptures, ,photography, book reports, science projects.. Keep these in a file and your child can use this info during the school year.
Camping in the backyard.
Rainy days we would transform he living room into a movie theater. We would blacken the windows with quilts, set the furniture facing the tv. Make popcorn and hot dogs and watch a video.
Meals... Pasta, sandwiches, cook outs on the grill, cold soups, sometimes, just fruit and cheese or veggies and cheese. Or hummus and pita bread. Popcorns with fun toppings.
Homemade smoothies, icecream, sorbets...
As she got older, I gave her money and let her come up with a menu for dinner. Then took her shopping and then assisted her as she prepared the meal.
My sons are 10 and 12. During the summer, they go to a weekly Chess Club at the library. The library here has many free summer activities for all age ranges, from babies through high school.
One kid is going to an education day camp through the technical college and the other one is going on a six day sleepaway environmental camp through a state university. The first is cheap, the second is not.
We get a family pass to the public pool. Our city has several great parks and hiking trails.
Last summer we also used Groupon & Living Social deals to take day trips to nearby cities/towns. We visited museums, amusement parks, etc for half price or less.
My kids are in karate, which is not seasonal like team sports, so they will have that three days a week as usual.
