summer fun on a budget

So, I was laying in bed last night trying to get to sleep and trying to think of what to chat with you all about today. Then it hit me. Summer is coming. Kids will be out of school soon. Vacations will be here soon. We have "no money". What to do????

I'm sure I'm not the only one having that conversation in their heads about this time of year. Some of you work and have the kids go to babysitters during the day, but want to have fun at night, or on the weekends, some of you are a single income family and want to know how to keep kids busy and not fighting. So, here are some thoughts.

1. Co-operative Zoos, science museums, art museums- these are great things! I will put links on the side for where to find your information for you state, but here's what you do. Find the Zoo, Science Museum, Art museum, Children's museum, etc in your city. See how much it is to get a "family pass" for a year. Ok, it may seem a bit excessive....So......look around your state and see where you can get the cheapest family pass! You can usually purchase those online, and they mail the pass to you. The good thing about these: They are "co-operative" meaning you will get a list of all the ones you can use them in, not only in YOUR state, but ANY state- and possibly world-wide!

So, We pay $30/year for our family pass to the science museum of our choice here, but it is 1.5 hrs away. We go there maybe once a year. BUT the family pass for the science museum in our city is $80/year. We just saved $50. We go there once a month and have saved TONS of money (they even have picnic tables so we take our own lunch!). BUT. Then we go out of state to a COOL one in Alabama for FREE. Yes, it is gas, but.... it even has "rides" like a theme park there! AND it is where some space stuff is! rock climbing walls, etc! WAY COOL for FREE! See what I mean?

Then we pay $40/year for our family pass to the Zoo in a different city. Our family pass here is about $80/yr again. Once a month here....cool area for the kids to play, awesome shows, great animals... so much fun! Then we can go to any zoo we want to for FREE!

Same with other places, you get the idea.

2. Don't forget to have your kids take a "friendship book" to school the last week so they can have all the kids they want to keep in touch with write down their names, addresses and phone numbers. You want a good group of kids to keep in mind so you can go to the park, buy $1 hamburger and fries at mcd's with and let them play there, take a walk on a nature trail in your city, go on a bike ride, meet at the SCHOOL playground and let them go crazy! Have friends over for an "end of the school year" party, a "middle of the summer" party, a "going back to school" party, and make it bathing suits required! have the kids bring something fun to eat to make it easier on you!

3. Flylady.net has a great thing she does every summer called "Camp Gonnawannafly" where you make it fun for the kids all summer, but also make sure the routine of keeping up the house continues (and you get the kids involved) That would be a GREAT thing to do too! www.flylady.net

4. Don't forget about camping! I bet just about every weekend you could go to a garage sale and find a tent to buy for $10. Grab up a few and take your family on a trip! Campgrounds are cheap, it teaches your kids new skills, gets them away from all the electronics, and helps you to "bond" as a family!

5. don't forget to let family have the kids every once in a while and you have a "get away" at the house! Plan to have nice candles you don't normally have, cook out, quiet music, turn OFF the computers, etc, and just ENJOY your partner! KNOW that your kids are having a BLAST where they are too! Because they really are! Plan to go on a walk on a trail, bike ride, etc

6. If you are lucky enough, like we are, to have a great company that gives you the ability to buy discounted movie passes then deducts it from your paycheck, then I would say "go for it!" I can't tell you how many times it has helped us to have a "night out" just for me and hubby, or even a special family night (one night we did a double feature and didn't gethome until after midnight!). Those are special times we won't forget, and it's nice to know you have that "ace in the hole"

Well, I hope you like these ideas!