Summer has officially started for my family! I am very excited, but I also know I need a plan for how I am going to entertain the kids without spending a ton of money.
My friend Anna at Your Retail Helper made a Summer Bucket List to help her keep the kids busy and stay on budget. To make it even more fun, she wanted to document and keep track of everything they did. She found this terrific FREE downloadable template for a Summer Passport at HeatherCarson.net. This will make a great souvenir for kids!
Here are some more ways to display your bucket list that I found on KC Parent:
- A simple jar of ideas
- Scribbled-on seashells buried in a pail of sand
- Labeled clothespins clipped to the rim of a can
- A bowl of fish-shaped papers with paperclips and a magnetic fishing pole to fetch them
- A dry erase/chalkboard in a lovely frame
- A poster in multi-colored inks and doodles
Here is a list of some FREE (or very cheap) activities to help get you started:
- Glow in the Dark Bowling
- Make Splash Balls
- Homemade Rock Candy
- Make a Sprinkler (With 2 Liter Soda Bottle)
- Cool Whip Painting
- Bath Tub Painting
- Water Balloon Pinata
- Summer Snowballs (Cornstarch and Shaving Cream)
- Make a Slip-N-Slide (Plastic Table Cloth & a Shaving Cream)
- Rainbow Sock Bubbles
- Make Homemade Bubbles
- Glow in the Dark Slime
- Backyard Camp Out
- Make Moon Sand
- Smores
- Family Movie Night
- Catch Fireflies
- Car Wash
- Picnic
- Backyard Obstacle Course
- Join a Summer Reading Program
For activities that cost money, it is a good idea to first come up with your summer budget and then list out the things your family wants to do. Add in the projected cost amount so you can go over this with the family. Let the kids know how much is in the budget, so they can pick out the must do items first. Try using Groupon or other Daily Deal Sites to help save you money. You also might want to look into prices for season passes to see if this could save you money.
Paid Activities ($ – nominal cost, $$ – moderate cost, $$$ – expensive):
- Swimming Lessons – $$$
- Indoor Playcenter – $
- Bowling – $
- Zoo – $$
- Summer Movie Passes – $$
- Summer Camp – $$$
Why not add in some activities to help others:
- Animal Shelter Volunteer
- Host a Lemonade Stand and Donate Proceeds
- Make a Meal For a Friend
- Pick Up Litter at a Park
- Visit a Retirement Home
- Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen
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