So you’re in daze trying to figure out what in the world to do with the kiddos! You can’t afford summer camps, enrichment classes, or even the YMCA! So, what’s a mom on a budget to do?
Well, here are five of my tried and true fun events that are within your budget and FUN! FUN! FUN! for the whole family! And, because I love you so much, I’ve given you one for each day of the week.
1. The Library
I know. It seems like common sense…actually a few of the ones on my list do. BUT, what if you did them with a different twist. Try going to another library in a different part of town or in a different town near you and make it an “adventure.” Libraries have such cool things going on in the summer! If you live in the “quad cities” south of Dallas (Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Desoto, Lancaster), check out my “Family Fun” tab for a calendar of events (wink wink).
2. Grand Openings
Yes. You read that right. Grand Openings! Check with your local Chamber of Commerce or your city’s website and see what businesses are opening up, then go to their grand opening. They want the community to know they’re there and open, and you get some free food, balloons, face painting, and fun for the kiddos (Hey! Don’t judge! FREE fun is the best fun.)
3. Waterparks
Ok. Don’t get excited because we are talking “on a budget,” but take the kiddos down to splash in the “water spring up thingies” in your city or in a town near you. Trust me. Just going out of your normal element is a fun adventure for your kiddos.
4. The Park
Wait. Don’t give me the “side-eye.” Do a quick research of a great park you all haven’t visited at all or lately. There are some cool parks out there. Me and my boys are like park junkies! We LOVE discovering ones we’ve never gone to before. There’s a few in the cities near Dallas that I’ve got my eye on…
5. Rediscover Downtown
If you’re from the city where you live (and it’s…eh hem…safe enough), find out aspects of it you’ve never considered and take your kiddos with you. You’ll have fun seeing a city you know like the back of your hand through their fresh, new eyes. Try an architectural walking tour, or make it a learning experience discovering why the streets are named the way they are and the reasoning behind the layout of the city.
If you’re new to the city where you’re living now, you have a TON of stuff to discover yourself. Take your kiddos on a tour of the luxurious hotels downtown. When my 10 YO was about 3, we went to the grand opening of the “W” in downtown Dallas, and we were able to go on a great tour and dance with the DJ on the pool level overlooking downtown!
Happy discovery! And, come to think of it, you could actually switch these up and do them weekly while discovering something new each time.