thought I'd continue on with our list of
cheap inexpensive things to do this summer!
- Make ice cream. We received a Play & Freeze Ice cream maker for Christmas. http://icecreamrevolution.com/ It's a lot of fun! We also have a slushy maker someone gave us.
- Summer art school - just found this blog this morning: http://kristensbloglife.blogspot.com/ We love art projects. We also use this book http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0935607099/ref=nosim/httpwwwxan0cb-20 for our study of the great masters.
- Science project. My girls could probably go overboard with this one! They love a great science project. The Kid Concoctions books are a great source of fun.http://tinyurl.com/ltdqqf
- Free field trips - head out to a small airport and watch the planes take off. We live right smack in between 2 large airports. Seeing the big planes is no big deal. There's a small airport a friend told me about that has a diner - you can sit & watch the small aircrafts take off. (Ok the diner part isn't free, but it inexpensive.)
- Another field trip - the beach. Pack a picnic lunch & lots of sunscreen. Here in Chicago parking at the beach can be expensive. Not sure if we'll pack it all in and take the train or not. I do like to drive.
- Splash pads & parks. We have a couple of splash pads in our area. My oldest daughter probably wouldn't be up for this - but the youngest would. Word in our area is a fab new playground with zip lines. I need to find out where.
- Pool party - we have a nice size pool. (It's nothing too elaborate so don't get upset if you don't get an invite)
Kids don't care what size the pool is they just want to get wet! Get out the sprinkler, slip & slide, a kiddie pool filled with balloons (not for the wee-littles though!) My girls loved when I would freeze containers of ice - THINK BIG - and float them in the kiddie pool for them. I've even done rubber gloves and floated hands!
- We have a few museums & zoo's that are still free around here. Lincoln Park (again with the parking!) and Cosley Zoo in Wheaton. On our must do list is the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum! http://www.ben.edu/museum/ I do have a membership to the Field Museum that we'll use this summer and I've been pondering Brookfield Zoo again this year. First year I haven't renewed in about 20.
- Have a sleepover! We've only recently begun to have sleepovers at friends houses and vice versa.
- Campfire in the yard - invite friends for s'mores!
- Secret Keeper Girls - I just bought the study for my girls & I. We'll be taking part in all the great Mom & daughter outings this summer or doing them at home.
- Letterboxing! http://www.atlasquest.com/ The only cost for this is gas for your vehicle, a stamp & pad. (you can get away with a store bought stamp)
- Geocache - If I can ever figure out how to use the GPS hubby bought me for CHRISTMAS! We will start hunting for cache's. If anyone has a favorite site - I'd love to have it!
- Camping - we're campers so we can head out at any time. Not sure if you'd enjoy camping? Camp in your backyard? Pitch a tent in the living room. Your kids will love it.
- Paint some rocks - first go out and collect them on a hike.
Then let the kids paint them. http://dailytiffin.blogspot.com/2009/05/art-of-rock-painting-kids-crafts.html Cute, huh? or how about using glow in the dark paint? I love this idea! http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/2008/07/glow-in-the-dar.html - Have a lemonade stand.
- Head to a minor league baseball game.
- Decorate your bike & have a parade - invite your friends! (There's still time to get in that 4th of July parade!)
- Learn a new craft. I know there are quite a few elderly ladies at our church who would love the company and the chance to teach their craft. We have knitters, crocheters and quilters. I know this would bless our family and theirs. Do you have someone like this at your church? Someone who's grandchildren perhaps live far away? Adopt a Grandma!
Time to get my day rolling! Hope you find something new for your summer fun!
Comments (4)
Will you adopt me?
You said that kids dont care the size of the pool as long as they get wet....you are SO right. Last Sunday we had lunch at my sisters and the girls (3 of them) pulled my BIL's big garden cart on wheels around to the front of the house- filled it with water and made it into their "spa". LOL. They tried to get their uncle to pull them on the four wheeler with the cart and them AND it being full of water so that it would be "hydrotherapy". LOL.
yep....as long as they have water their A-ok. ;)
I love these ideas! And that Great Artists book-must get my hands on a copy!
-kristen ~Pajama Mama
Yay! My library is holding it for me now!!!!
thanks!wow thanks I was feeling blah already about summer wonderful ideas!