Summer Fun Doesn't Have to Break the Bank

With warmer weather upon us and summer vacation time nearly here for our kids, we have to sit back and contemplate how we are going to keep them busy over the three month break from school.

There will no doubt be picnics, beach visits, barbeques, and family get togethers, but what happens in the day to day, Monday through Friday humdrum for the mom who needs to entertain? Here are some great ideas to keep your kids going every day through summer and the fun nonstop.

1. Create a Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of outdoor items for your children to find. We suggest different leaf colors, outdoor bugs, sightings of birds, butterflies, and flowers. Print off an “official” list for your kids to check off as they find them. For your very little non-readers, try a picture list that they can identify and point too.

2. Arts and Crafts
For you crafty moms, put together some fun projects for them to complete with you.

Create a kite together to fly:
(instructions: http://www.ehow.com/how_1288_make-kite.html)

Make homemade play dough:
1 cup water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup salt
1 tablespoon cream of tartar
Food coloring
Saucepan
1 cup flour
Combine water, oil, salt, cream of tartar, and food coloring in pan  and heat until warm.
Remove from heat and add flour.
Knead until smooth.
Store in airtight bag or tupperware

or my daughters favorite, painting with acrylics. We pick out little animals to paint for approximately 35 cents a piece at our local Walmart. Crafts vary so much, that you could change your project every day over the summer and still find something new to do!

3. Keep a summer scrapbook
Fun for the whole family. Get your kids each their own disposable camera and have them take pictures monthly. Develop and let your children create their own summer memory book. These are great ways to not only be creative with your children, but allow them to express their creativity in the photos, as well as, keep your memories alive.

4. Bake
What child doesn’t like to bake? Baking is a fun way for the whole family to get involved . Have a cooking lesson once a week and teach your kids how to measure, pour  and of course taste test, all those yummy summer treats. You can teach them some of your passed down recipes or check out “Kitchen For Kids: 100 Amazing Recipes Your Children Can Really Make” which includes recipes for kids that are no knives and no flame.

Above all, remember to enjoy the summer, take time to create memories, and use it as a way to relax, reflect, and connect with your children.