Time to whip out the sprinklers and slip n’ slides because it’s summer time! Although it’s an exciting and carefree time for kids, parents aren’t so lucky. Summer also means entertaining kids all day, every day! Summer camps, day time activities, theme parks and child care is expensive; so here are some ways to save money this summer on kids activities. Get creative!

1.  Kite Day

Take the kids and their friends to the park for a sunny but semi-windy day at the park. All you’ll need for entertainment is a kite for each child. Many people don’t know this but you can save money by buying kites at the dollar tree. Pack a few PB&J’s and chips and make a day out of it. You’ll be surprised how much fun you’ll have watching your kids light up from their kite flying successes.

2.  Craft Day

This fun outdoorsy craft is bound to be a hit. I haven’t met a boy who doesn’t love squirt guns, a girl who doesn’t like painting and a mom who doesn’t like creative ways to save money, so this fun craft is a win-win-win! Prep by filling squirt guns with ½ water and ½ paint (you can also use food coloring) or until color desired. You will then secure paper or a canvas to an easel, a tree, or anything outside that you don’t mind getting a little, well, messy. Give the squirt guns to your little ones and let them go for it! 

[Photo courtesy of: Fireflies & Mud Pies]

I found this fun craft on Pinterest, which is a hot spot for creative projects, crafts and ways to save money!

3.  Nature Day

Kids love being outdoors discovering and exploring. If you have a creek nearby there are bound to be tadpoles swimming and burrowing in the shallow rocks. Bring a bucket and make it a game by collecting as many as possible. Take a swim while you’re there. Don’t forget to keep your water chilled and let your tadpoles back in the creek after a short time – you don’t want to hurt tadpoles in the process.

If you don’t have the option of visiting a creek, try bug catching. It just requires a net and an air vented container. Talk about cheap fun. This is a great way to save money. You can find bugs in any wooded area, under logs and especially in moist soils.

4.  Animal Day

Visit the local pet stores. You can usually hold the guinea pigs, rats and sometimes the reptiles. If you get really lucky there will be puppies and kittens for adoption and you can play with them too! This requires no money and is sure to be a hit with the kids. You can also visit, or even better volunteer, at your local animal shelter. Often times you will be asked to socialize or walk with the animals, which can be a lot of fun!

5.  Thrift Day

Allow your kids to pick out a toy and an outfit from a thrift store. You’re bound to spend a small portion of what you would pay at the big box store down the street. Lucky for mom, you can hunt for treasures too! This can be a great teaching tool for your children. Give them a $10 budget and have them pick one outfit and spend the rest on whatever they want. Perhaps, they could buy one practical item and one fun item. Turn it into a game, save money and enjoy yourselves!

With these fun and creative ways to save money your kids are bound to have a fun and memorable summer that won’t be hard on the pocket book. Saving money is fun for not just parents, but kids too. If you like these ideas and have some suggestions leave them in the comments section below.