by Stacy Hensley

Created on: June 08, 2009

Budget Friendly Things to do with Your Kids During Summer Vacation

The economy is in bad shape right now. People are losing their jobs, cars, and even their homes, on a daily basis. Vacationing is just not an option for a lot of people this year. There are ways that you can still spend quality time with your kids, without spending tons of money

The kids will be out of school soon, and you just can't afford a week at the beach this year. So what can you do? Below you will find some ideas for spending time with your kids that can easily be worked into your budget.

Go To The Zoo
Take a day trip with your kids to the zoo. It's fun, educational and budget friendly. Check out the lions, tigers, and bears. Oh my! The kids will have a blast and you get to spend some great quality time together.

Spend the Day at a Nearby Water Park
Kids love to play in water. This will be a fun filled day for the whole family. Water slides and wave pools, is there a better way to spend a hot summer day? Of course not!

Have a Picnic
Pack a lunch and make your way to a local park or beach. Grab the Frisbee or football and spend a few hours playing. This is a great way to get in some exercise that the kids will enjoy. Let them spend some time playing on the swings or merry-go-round. Invite some friends and enjoy a fun day filled with food, laughter, and loads of fun.

Visit an Amusement Park or County Fair
This is a great way to spend some fun time with your kids. Enjoy the rides, check out a show, or have some cotton candy. There are always plenty of educational options when you visit a county fair.

The Sky's the Limit
Check out local newspapers for kid friendly things going on locally. A lot of local festivals have things like pony rides or petting zoos set up for the kids to enjoy. Or just have a movie day, where you buy snacks and spend the whole day enjoying movies together.

Sit down and talk with your kids, ask them to pick 5 things each they would like to do during the summer. You can then take their lists and plan out a schedule so you know how each activity will fit into your budget. You do not have to include all 5 of their ideas. Pick 2 or 3 from each child and go from there. Letting your kids be involved in the process will make them feel important! Knowing that you will use their ideas will also help them be more creative!

Vacations are relaxing and great for the whole family, but they are not the only way to have fun and spend some time together during the summer.

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