by Kate Johns

Created on: November 02, 2007

"I'm bored." "Billy won't leave me alone." "Are we going to do anything today?" "Will you tell Billy to leave my toys alone?" If you have kids you have heard these fascinating tales of woe usually just as you're nodding off in front of the TV, or when you're in the middle of a home improvement project. Just telling the kids to "Cut it out!" or "Try to get along", gets your blood pressure up and usually sets your kids to screeching louder, with someone ending up in tears (usually you).

We've all been there. We've spent summers with kids who think their only form of amusement is to see how much they can tease each other. What can you do this weekend with the kids that won't require you to take out a second mortgage?

Besides calling Ghostbusters, call Grandma and Grandpa; if you're lucky enough that they live nearby. Have the kids visit them for a day or the entire weekend. This will give you time to get those home improvement projects done. You could spend the entire weekend pampering yourself, or have some alone time with your partner.

If you live miles away from your parents or in-laws, arrange a sleepover for the kids with their best friend. Have a camp out in your very own backyard this weekend. If it's warm enough, and the bugs aren't the size of birds, sleep outside by buying a tent that you can use over and over again. You can grab a couple of sheets and put them over lawn chairs outside.

Take the kids to the zoo. Small children love to go to the zoo and see all the animals. You can spend a very small amount of money and take as much time as you want at your local zoo. Even if it is small, you can walk around a couple of times, and tell your kids some interesting facts about some of the animals, (read the signs to them). Most zoos have show times now, where they bring out small animals and talk about them, and kids can touch them.

Buy a zoo family membership for one year. You pay a small fee now, and don't have to pay to get into your local zoo, or any of the other member zoos. Then you get freebies and discounts at all participating zoos.

When the weather permits take the kids to your local park. Pack a picnic basket of food and spend the day running around after the kids. Go for a hike. Point out all the beautiful things nature has to offer. Stop and listen to all the sounds of nature, like woodpeckers knocking, bullfrogs making their noise, and all the birds singing. You can literally spend an entire day outside exploring with your kids. It makes them tired

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