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If you can't afford to send your kids to day camp this summer, worry not. They might have been bored to tears in that place anyway. There are much more cost-effective ways to keep them busy and happy.

Day camp is wonderful for some kids, but it's possible for kids to have a great summer without it. The amount of time you have available to spend with them has something to do with it. So do their ages. Some things that can be done by older kids without supervision require an adult to be with younger ones.

At the top of the list of places to spend a fun summer day is the library. The possibilities of things to read about are practically endless. Some libraries have programs that reward kids for reading a certain number of books over the summer. Books that are checked out can be taken to the backyard, to the park, to bed. If there isn't any air conditioning at home, the library has the added benefit of being a place to get comfortably cool.

Parks are good places to go on summer days that aren't too hot or muggy. They are usually free and offer places to play, explore and maybe even watch fish or ducks in ponds. Picnic lunches make sandwiches more interesting than they are in kitchens. All the running around in the park is good exercise and helps both kids and adults get a good night's sleep.

Swimming is sometimes free or reasonably priced at pools and beaches. People who don't like to swim often like to play in the sand or in the shallow water. Most public pools and beaches have lifeguards on duty, but they shouldn't be expected to do all the guarding. Sunscreen is a must for trips to the beach, as well as for other time spent outside.

Wading pools can be fun for all ages, and they are cheap. They are a good way to cool off, relax and be conveniently close to the necessities. Two important things are to never leave children unattended anywhere near the pools and to not leave standing water in areas that haven't been treated with bug spray. Pools filled with water tend to be Dew Drop Inns for mosquitoes.

Zoos are not always expensive, and there are petting zoos that are good for short visits in some suburbs. Many zoos have more comfortable places for the animals to live than the tiny cages where they used to be kept.

Days that are too hot and miserable to spend outside can be spent watching some of those old movies you've had for who knows how many years but haven't watched for ages. Home videos are another option. The library can supply movies you don't have at home.

Writing letters to grandparents or aunts, uncles and cousins who don't live nearby is another way to spend time. Getting letters is even more fun. Letter writing can be done the old-fashioned way or by e-mail.

Talking is sometimes forgotten when people get busy with so many other things, but it can be a great way to spend time. Time at the park or at the pool or in the backyard can lead to interesting conversations. Reminiscing with family and friends about things that happened way back when can fill in blanks in parts you remember.

All of a sudden, it's time to go back to school. Where did the summer go?

Learn more about this author, Alicia Suenaga.
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