Frugal summer activities for kids?

[crackers]

I just found this forum and I'm really happy that I did. I've been having a great time going through and see that a lot of good advice is being given. I hope this question hasn't been asked in the past, and if it has I hope that somebody can point me into the right direction so that I can see the answers.

I'm looking for frugal activities that can be done during the summer with my kids. Although I do have some that we do quite a bit, I would like to add some new ones so that it's a bit different this summer than it has been in past summers. I'm just curious what other people do with their kids during the summer that is frugal? I really look forward to hearing all your ideas.

[crackers]

Nobody has any suggestions for frugal summer activities for kids? Or was this a question that has already been answered 1 million times?

We tend to spend a lot of time in the library and there are a couple of museums that have summer passes for the kids that are pretty cheap. I would like to do a little bit more than this though if I can come up with some new ideas.

[savingmama]

For great frugal summer activities, it is best to do research in your local area. We just moved in the past year and the free summer activiites have varied depending on the area we lived in. In the last area, we could go to the zoo for free Monday mornings, our Musuem of art has a family center that has free activities three times a week, our library did a summer reading program and had about 5 special activities throughout the summer,and our local Regal theaters do free summer movies once a week in exchange for a kids doing a book report. Also the fair came to the area over the summer and one day during the summer there was a family day when you could get into the fair for free and then unlimited rides for $5. The YMCAs in that area offered free swim lessons for a week during the summer too (without even being members). In the area I currently live, in the summer the library has free passes you can check out to some musuems in the area; the library also has a summer reading program that includes some special programs thoughout the summer (like a magic show). The local community center has family nights where for $10 a family can swim at the pool for the evening. It seems like wherever you live there are frugal activities. The best thing is to talk to other locals or look for activites online.

[crackers]

That makes a lot of sense. I think I'll head down to the local library and see what they have in available information on things to do for the community. I hope I'm able to find some interesting things that the kids will enjoy.

[snafu]

What age? what interests? Our kids do age appropriate daily and weekly chores. We research all the free and frugal activities available in our community and work out a tentative schedule. Parks and recreation offer free activities delivered by university students but parents must sign up and returned forms/permission slips by deadlines. Their programs are structured, require packed lunch and lots of team work from participants. Swimming lessons are free at specific pools but organized by level:age ratio which works for instructors and causes headaches for parents. Some stables offer low cost riding lessons early AM in exchange for work in the tack room. Kids must be willing to follow instruction exactly and within time frames. Teenagers muck-out stalls.

Fisheries tours are free but kids need to be interested in the process as the narrative is boring. There are weekly festivals sponsored by various businesses and ethnic groups. Our kids like the chili cook-off where restaurants and groups compete for prizes. Participants are given small samples of chili and rate/mark them on a sheet. I took our kids to the Salsa festival, same idea, different product and they hated it! We left after two samples. Our Lilac Festival sounded
like a great idea but it's really just an expensive craft fair. The kids loved the costumes but were disappointed we weren't buying stuff.

I suggest bike path trips, bird sanctuary, greenhouse/plant nursery, photography lessons via practicum creating their own movie. I've borrowed library craft books to devise possible projects for rainy days or if someone is sick. Teach kids to make cookies. We've done dog lessons [if you don't have a dog, ask a neighbor if you can borrow their dog. Does your SPCA use volunteers to socialize dogs and pet cats/rabbits/gerbils etc.?

Our kids have been to most of the parks. They do the work and we go on picnics particularly where they have cook-outs. The kids might like to go to community baseball games and we bring our own snacks. We go to Open House at the water plant or the Art School and it's cheap to go to dress rehearsal for live theatre. Check with your zoo for discount days or discount hours [arrive by 9 AM]

[NMD]

Sightseeing and finding new places to explore is probably the most inexpensive, fun activity to do as a child. Try to pick a location that you have never been to or havent been in a while and bring a frisbee, picnic or whatever. There are also libraries, depending on your area, that you can go to spend some time looking around, choosing books then bringing them home to read.

[Radiance]

What ages?

The city always have free events (make sure to pack snacks and drinks)
Mine is 4, when weather is bad , we do store hoping: (Toy store, bookstore, pet store)

[Tree0164]

There are a lot of free and cheap things to do to keep the kids busy. We try to hit all the free outdoor concerts and movies that are around. Those are alot of fun. My local library has some passes and there is atleast one museum every Friday in my area that offers free admission (of course it is super crazy busy)

I will also try to use a groupon or my entertainment book.

[spenseapp]

bowling

AMF bowling lanes has a kids bowl free program every summer. You sign up online and then print out your vouchers each week. Each child gets 2 games of free bowling per week. You just pay for shoe rental. It's a great activity when it's raining out or too hot to play outside.
Thanks!

[Max G]

If you live in a big city, there are always day during the summer where science museums, art museums,etc offer free tickets. NYC for example has free concerts and plays during the summer. Store hopping as someone mentioned, might be fun for kids as well

[mom-from-missouri]

Lowe's classes for kids (FREE)

Lowes has free summer clinics for kids, where the kids make an item from wood they get to keep.

Lowe's Build & Grow

[AccountantSalary]

This probably comes a little late but check out museums near your house to see when they have free admission days. Most have them at least once a month. They often use such times for family-friendly or kid-friendly activities, in order to attract more members, so you not only get to see the museum for free but you can also participate in a new activity.

[jpg7n16]

Buy a ball. Go to the park.

[PennyDime]

Depends on where you live but we have water parks that are under $10, sprinklers in the back yard. Let them finger paint outside. Also buy kiddie pool for $20. They will have a blast all summer long. This reply is really late but maybe good for next summer?

[AccountantSalary]

This is quite late but one activity is to give each kid a physical/exercise goal that he must reach by the end of the summer. Maybe it's to run around a park several times without stopping, do several pushups or pullups, or compete in an organized game. Then set up a daily training regimen so he can achieve the goal.