How can I keep my children amused during the school summer holidays?

Question

Particularly with the credit crunch in mind? Can anyone some good ways of keeping my children amused and active during the school summer holidays that isn't going to require us to remortgage our house (as if we could do that anyway at the minute)?

Answer 1

First, let me say to Wendy, I have no dred of kids laughing and playing ball (accidental broken windows included), I dred only those you see on TV yelling and swinging bats.

To entertain the kids of my nieghbors as well as my own, my wife and I throw a street fair with games and prizes all hand made by the kids with free or low cost materials...averaging three a summer now. But it took the third event to get other parents involved and by this August Day (our next), we will have 32 kids and 19 other parents/grandparents/aunts or uncles. We even have a young couple who both go to college and work full time who do face painting and costume making....

Ok that was to Wendys first part...

The Second part of Wendy's answer is great advice. I would add to the park idea...many State and Metro parks have organized FREE events. as long as you have the park(ing) pass you can attend.

example:

My family and I spent time at Brian Mitchell State Park this last weekend.. We drove on and got fishing poles (the park provides them free, for use til 5pm) and we fished til 11. We had brought the cooler, So I BBQed and we had lunch, then went to the free Archery lessons. After that, to the pellet gun lessons, then on a 20 acre Scavenger hunt. Other days are crafts, Indian Traditions, Canoeing, Nature classes including live animal visits and tracking in the woods, etc...Mitchell does stuff like this six days a week in the summer.

At Metro Beach we have joined in on the spring and end of summer DNR bird counting weekends.

Libraries,and community centers are great too!but don't forget that you live in a town but also in the county, State and U.S. all of which have great get up and go places for little or no money.

As a note...We even had the local dollar type store give us 50% off for all our extras for this August Day(and are donating water guns and splash balls). With all the new help it cost us(my family of four) less then $30.00 for a fun all day neighborhood event, meals included.

Answer 2

take them to a theme park or to the beach side or a film or on a trip

good luck

:)

Answer 3

god I am dreading it, footballs against my window and constantly pestered by noisy kids whose parents cannot be bothered to spend time with them but your question proves that some parents care, try the art gallery's, museums, local library which are all free, and picnics and try sleepovers with friends one night per week, one week in there house and the next in yours. Good luck

in response to thinerealm's answer below, please dont take the kids to pellet gun lessons

Answer 4

send them to gannys house

Answer 5

See if there are any summer clubs around, for example at your local leisure centre.

Answer 6

Cupboard with a lock on it.

Answer 7

Give them a ball or skipping rope, send them out the front door and tell them to be back for tea at 6 o'clock.

Answer 8

Membership of the library so they ghave books for a wet day.

Parks for the nice days.

LOL at answer above, muy mum used to do that

Answer 9

i played in my street with all the other kids in the summer hols. playing out till really late because it never got dark hehe. best time of my life :)

Answer 10

Check your local paper for discount vouchers for days out and events in your area. They will also have details of any local free events.

You could also try websites such as dofreestuff.com or familydayoutuk.co.uk.

It may also be worth checking with your local bus or coach company as they sometimes arrange discounted coach trips during the summer holidays.

My personal favourite and by far the cheapest is local walks and widlife sanctuarys. Take a picnic and a football / kite (dont forget a small med kit for little incidents) and weather permitting you can stay out for the whole day. The bonus is that this not only gets the whole family active but wears out the little darlings for bedtime.

If you are unsure of where these are near you check with your local tourist information or national trust organisation.