Old-Fashioned Fun
Inexpensive & Budget-Friendly Summer Fun Ideas for Children
By TONYA WARREN | Photos by BECKY STINHOUR and courtesy photos
Make the best of these long summer days with non-fussy and inexpensive ideas and activities, without breaking the bank. The fun tried-and-true suggestions below will help banish summer boredom. Psst! Don’t tell the kids, but they just might even learn something new and fun this summer.
First, check out the obvious in your garage. Dust off the bikes, Rollerblades, skateboards and even the ping-pong table, if needed. Air up tires, grab helmets, and go on an old-fashioned family bike ride. Play the game, I Spy, while riding, and try and come up with a challenging subject such as spying a white cat lying in the neighbor’s bush. Listen to the kids give a white house, white car or even a mailbox as an answer. Hey, there’s no rule that says a parent can’t win at I Spy.
Shoot hoops in the driveway and see who wins at H-O-R-S-E. Got a swing set or trampoline that hasn’t seen kids in a while due to a crazy school schedule? Time for some easy outside play on these items. If you have a nice spot of dirt, give the kids some plastic tubs or aluminum pans and plastic ware, then turn on the water and let them make mud pies. Yes, they’ll get muddy, but at least they can hose themselves off before they’re told to do so. Hula hoops and jump ropes are always fun. Perhaps you will want to challenge your offspring to a hooping or jump roping contest. The winner gets to pick dessert that night after dinner.
Take advantage of the many local parks that have hiking and bike trails. Does your neighbor or relative have a backyard pool they wouldn’t mind the kids using occasionally? If so, teach the kids to play Marco Polo. Also, have them dive for dimes. You’ll get more mileage having them use a dime because they can be harder to find due to their size and sunny rays hitting the water make finding that small silver coin challenging. Never, under any circumstances, leave children unattended around any body of water, and always have non-swimmers wear life jackets. If you can swing it financially, now would be a good time for kids to take swimming lessons. Check local public pools and the YMCA for lesson information.
Many churches offer free Vacation Bible School programs which are held in the evening or morning hours, depending on the church, over a four or five day period. Common themes of these programs may be learning about God’s creation or learning about the Bible during a Bible scavenger hunt. It’s a fun time for Bible learning, singing, outdoor games, snacks and more.
Stalwarts of old-fashioned summer fun include, but aren’t limited to crayons, colored chalk, drawing, painting and modeling clay. Need a refill on these items? Head to your local dollar store and let the kids pick out some of their above favorites. After all, who doesn’t love a new box of crayons or a new container of bubbles with the big wand? If you have older kids, they can help the younger ones with creative ideas, such as driveway chalking. Encourage the kids to chalk a fun Father’s Day message, Fourth of July fireworks, or even birthday messages.
Check for online coupons to your big box hobby store to receive great deals on items such as jewelry making, paint-by-number kits and more. Also, the store has fun puzzles for all ages. Set up a card table and put out a puzzle, work on it together as a family as well and everyone can add a few pieces whenever they walk by. For older kids, use the coupon for a fun model such as an antique car or even a World War II aircraft carrier.
If you know someone with a garden, ask them if you can bring the kids out to help gather fruits and veggies. Picking fragrant strawberries and ruby red tomatoes might encourage kids to try new foods. Perhaps they can select recipes and help with meal preparation using their fresh garden pickings. If you have an area for a garden, let the kids work and prepare the soil for planting seeds. Research with them what would best grow in your own yard, how much watering would be needed, fertilizing and more. Kids feel accomplished and excited when they see those little shoots sprout up.
Keep kids reading this summer by signing them up for the summer reading club at your local library where they’ll earn prizes for reading books. Whether your kid is interested in dinosaurs, being a nurse, or marketing their lemonade stand, the library can put them on the right path. Libraries also offer story times for infants and toddlers, craft times for different ages and much more. Some libraries even offer summer sewing sessions for kids. Teens can also take part in the summer reading club and some libraries offer teen evening activities. Library cards are free, so contact your local library’s website for specific details on card sign-ups, activities and more.
Need a particularly low-key activity? Dig out family wedding photos or videos of special family times such as reunions, graduations and more. Kids love seeing parents and grandparents when they were young or doing fun things. Designate Friday night as pizza night. It’s never too early to plan for holidays, so perhaps the kids can start making arts and crafts for gifts. Print some online Thanksgiving place mats off and let the kids color and decorate them. The family will admire and love the creativity come November during the big meal.
Depending on children’s ages and general maturity levels, help them explore simple chores or odd jobs where they can make a bit of money, such as taking care of neighborhood pets while owners are away.
Lastly, remember kids grow up fast, so create special summer memories that will outlast long hot days and sultry sunsets.
