It does not matter whether you are a stay at home parent, or a parent that works full-time, when summer comes you are going to have children to keep entertained. There are a wide range of activities in which your children can participate. The only limitations you will have will be the budget that you set yourself and the ages of the children.
Summer School Program
One of the easiest resources you have to utilize is the school system in your area. There are often summer enrichment programs that your children may be eligible to attend. These programs are usually grant funded, which means that there will be little to no cost for you the parent. School programs will also help keep your child from regressing during the summer.
Summer Movies
Another potential summer activity that your children might enjoy would be a summer movie series. Many movie theater chains around the country will offer greatly discounted movie tickets on various days throughout the week. These movies are usually not the current showings, but are movies that have already been shown during the year. This is a great way to let your children have a movie experience without breaking the bank.
Summer Field Trip
If you are lucky enough to have a zoo that is close to you, then you might be interested in a zoo membership. Many zoos also have summer day programs available for their members. These programs are usually broken down into various age groups and activities are geared for the specific age involved. Zoos are also beginning to offer more events and attractions that might be of interest to your whole family.
Summer Community Activities
Most communities have pools that are available for use. It will depend on the pool as to whether or not there is a charge for swimming. If your child is not a swimmer, or not strong in swimming, this would be a great way to introduce them to the water. Many pools will also have swim classes that you can sign up to attend to help your child gain confidence in the water.
If your budget is very small, then you might want to look into different free options that might be available in your community. Public libraries are a great resource when looking for summer activities. It is possible that your local library may even have a summer program that your child can attend for free. Another great free option is visiting local parks. All you will need to do is pack a picnic lunch and a few toys and your children can have a great time just enjoying the outdoors with you.
As you can see there are many options available for you and your children on summer vacation. These options can all be tailored to your specific family needs and wants. One of the best ways to see what your child would like to do is to ask them. Depending on their likes and which activities they choose to do, it may be possible to do many of these activities with your children.
Laura Greening is a mom and a writer. She loves to write about wedding planning and parenting. She is currently working as a consultant Wallao, a flower girl dress store, based in Los Angeles, CA.
