Now that summer is almost officially upon us, many families are making plans on places to go, things to see and fun things to do.
When my kids were younger I had a hard time coming up with new and exciting things for them to do each day. There are only so many times you can go to the playground before it gets boring.
Cost is also a factor. You have to take a lot of things into consideration, from the cost of fuel to admission fees, and from purchasing new baby swimwear to extra supplies (pool noodles, sand toys, games…).
Since we cannot afford to go on a real vacation, may family can only go on day trips. Thankfully we live near many state parks and we’re just a hop-skip-and-a-jump to New York City.
Finding ways to keep your kids (and grandkids) entertained during the summer months can be costly. In fact, a recent report from American Express Spending & Savings Tracker found that U.S. families dish out big bucks on activities for kids, with the per-child cost of summer fun ranging from $600 to over $1,000. For families with 3, 4 or more children the cost can be astronomical.
To save your sanity and avoid going broke this summer, consider these budget-friendly ways to entertain your kids for less from Andrea Woroch* – a consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc (please refer to her author’s bio below).
Buy an Entertainment Book
The easiest way to access two-for-one and 50% off deals is to buy an entertainment book for your city. You can also pick one up in the city you’re visiting to save on food and activity expenses during your vacation. For instance, you can get a free child admission with one adult ticket for the Santa Barbara Zoo, or get one free bowling session when a second one is purchased at AMF Bowling Centers in Orlando.Review Debit and Credit Card Perks
Some debit and credit cards offer money-saving perks for activities. For example, Bank of America’s Museums on Us program provides complimentary access to participating zoos, museums and other educational institutions during specific days over the summer. Similarly, a debit card issued by 1st National Bank (locations in Colorado and Nebraska) offers complimentary tickets to community events like the Taste of Fort Collins when users show their debit cards at ticket booths.Head to the Library
Not only can you access books, audio books and DVDs for free, but your local library offers many community events and activities for families from reading groups to arts and crafts. Storytime is a popular event with libraries offering different readings based on age group. What’s more, your library may also be a resource for discount passes to museums and national parks.Get Crafty
Having an arsenal of crafts at the ready helps you better respond to unexpected “I’m bored!” outbursts. To save on puzzles, painting kits, scrapbook activities and more, use coupons to offset your purchases to popular craft stores. For example, the Coupon Sherpa mobile app gives you instant access to deals like 30% off one item from JoAnn Fabrics, or 40% off one regular-priced item from either Michaels or Hobby Lobby. You can also find craft kits at department stores like Kohl’s, where savings of 15% off are available through the app.Find Discount Admissions
Many recreation centers, museums, zoos and botanical gardens offer discount and sometimes free admission on certain days of the week. The Art Institute of Chicago offers free admission to Illinois residents every Thursday night, while the Denver Museum of Nature and Science offers a free day every month of the year. Review the organization’s website for applicable days and times to keep your costs low while providing an enriching activity for your kids.Look for Freebies
Bowling centers give back to their communities and offer a safe and fun environment for kids through the Kids Bowl Free Program. Enjoy two free games every day at participating bowling centers by registering at KidsBowlFree.com. In addition to activities, you can find free meals for your kids at MyKidsEatFree.com when you enter your state of residence (or the one you’re traveling to!).Catch a Flick for Less
Head to the movies on Monday or Tuesday nights, as many movie theaters offer discount passes and savings on concessions during off-peak times. Otherwise, catch a matinee for less or find a local drive-in theater for cheaper tickets and a fun experience for the kids. Use the Regal Cinemas app to access mobile coupons for popcorn, hot dogs and drinks, and take advantage of your local theater’s loyalty program to earn points towards freebies and future discounts.Volunteer
Providing your children with a fulfilling activity doesn’t have to cost you money. A great way to keep your kids busy with a rewarding experience is to give back to the community. Review volunteer opportunities at VolunteerMatch.org for age-appropriate volunteer activities. Older kids may enjoy contributing to a Habitat for Humanity build, while younger kids can brighten the moods of seniors living in a local nursing home.Review Daily Deals
Groupon, LivingSocial and other daily-deal providers are rife with discounts to family-friendly attractions. From discounts to local sporting events, introductory classes to unique activities like fencing and cheerleading, and even reduced-price admission to the local museum, these vouchers can save you money while introducing your child to something new. Make sure to read the fine print so you know exactly what you’re getting with your money, and remember you can use the voucher for the purchase price if it expires before you can spend it.
These are some awesome tips. Here are a few other ideas that my family has done during the summer months that don’t cost much to do.
Host a Family Movie Night – You can watch a movie you already own (a family favorite), rent a movie or stream from an online service such as Netflix. You can even swap movies with friends, family and neighbors. If you have the ability to watch a movie outside even better.
Camp in your own backyard – If your family enjoys camping and sleeping under the stars you don’t have to travel far to camp out. You can do it in your own backyard. If you don’t have camping equipment see if you can borrow some from family, friends or neighbors.
Visit your local and state parks – Most parks have nominal entrance and/or parking fees. Many parks offer several amenities such as boating (and rentals), barbecues, swimming, hiking trails and more.
Host a Swap – Get together with family, friends and neighbors and host a swamp. You can swap toys, clothes, movies or whatever you’d like. It’s a great way to get rid of things your kids long longer need or want in exchange for things that are “new” to them. Kids can get “new” toys, books, movies and more and it won’t cost you a dime.
Set up a lemonade stand – This is always a fun activity. Plus the money the kids raise can be used to fund other fun summer activities.
These are just a few ideas.
How do you entertain your kids and save money during the summer months? Feel free to share your tips. I always love to hear from readers.
Kimberly
*Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc. From smart spending tips to personal finance advice, Andrea transforms everyday consumers into savvy shoppers. As a sought-after media source, she has been featured among such top news outlets as Good Morning America, Today, CNN, Dr. OZ, New York Times, MONEY Magazine, Huffington Post, Forbes and many more. For more information, visit AndreaWoroch.com or follow her on Twitter for daily savings advice and tips.