Quick Tips: Budget-Friendly Summer Ideas

Today author and speaker Dena Dyer shares ideas for inexpensive summer activities.

Budget-Friendly Summer Fun—in Your Own “Backyard”

Financially, the summer can be tough on those of us who have children at home. How do we keep them engaged without A) allowing them to spend too much time on screens or B) blowing our budgets? Thankfully, there are ways to do both, without even leaving our own area:

Libraries and Museums

Most public libraries have free children’s, tween and teen programs during the summer. And family memberships at museums—especially science/discovery ones—easily pay for themselves because of their variety of programming.

Local, State and National Parks

Parks are great for hiking, swimming, exploring, picnicking, and fishing. Many of them even have free explorer/Junior Ranger programs.

Movie Theaters and Bowling Alleys

Thousands of local bowling alleys participate each summer in the “Kids Bowl Free” program. All you pay for is the shoes! Also, check with the closest movie theater—they may offer special kid movies at drastically reduced prices.

Colleges and Theaters

Look up your local college’s summer offerings. These institutions often schedule low-cost children’s and teens classes during breaks from school. In addition, many community theaters host dance, acting, and singing camps for talented kids. (Ask about scholarships if the camps are pricey.)

Other ideas for kids of all ages: volunteer for charity; create their own business (lemonade stand/photography/dog walking); attend local VBS programs.

Bottom line? You can create a memory-making summer for your family. It may take some research and creativity, but the results will be worth it.

Here are some of Dena's books:

Dena Dyer is a professional writer, speaker, and teacher, as well as the author of eight books and hundreds of articles who lives in Texas with her husband, sons and dog Princess. Her interests include traveling, reading, cooking, time spent with family and friends and a lot more. You can connect with her on her webpage or purchase one of her many books here.

Other Quick Tips You Might Want to Read are:

Fresh Starts

Embrace the Season

Keeping Your Mind Strong

Getting Your Preteen to Read

Help for Clutterbugs
Keeping Christmas Simple But Meaningful
Healthy Heart Tips for Football Couch Potatoes
Having a Personal Quiet Time with God
Beating the Winter Blues
Friendships That Cross Boundaries
Five Fresh Starts for Living
Positive Parent Teacher Relationships
How to Make Your Words Matter
Gluten Free Eating
Picture Book Month
The Healing Power of Forgiveness

Take Advantage of the Last Moments of Summer

Below is my blog post from the Tyndale blog. The pictures are from our trip to a state park yesterday.

It seems like just weeks ago you were counting down to the last day of school and the start of summer vacation, and now the countdown is reversed as the first day of school approaches too quickly—or maybe not quickly enough. Either way, take the remaining time to celebrate the last days of summer.

Plan one final outing. Let each child have a say in what the perfect end-of-summer activity would be. A pool party with hot dogs and hamburgers? A trip to the zoo, park, or lake? Talk through all your options and then compromise as much as possible so that the day is special for each child and you. Or, you could surprise your children with a new activity such as visiting a climbing wall, renting a canoe at the state park, or going to an indoor play area or laser tag arena.

Relive the high moments of the summer by creating a scrapbook. You can buy scrapbooks and supplies from an art or hobby store or create one digitally through a website like Snapfish or Shutterfly, which often have special deals on photo books. Think through the summer’s activities and have each child choose his or her top ten highlights of the summer. Make a book showing those. Include admission tickets, programs, postcards, photos, or drawings that will remind your children of the summer they had.

Celebrate new skills learned and new milestones reached. Did your child learn to ride his bike without training wheels, or did she get her driving learner’s permit? Did she learn to keep her room neat or master a layup at basketball camp? Did he learn new verses at Vacation Bible School? Have an ice cream party or other special treat to celebrate everything that was accomplished during the summer.

Set a goal for the new school year. Having something to work toward during the year will make it easier to return to school. Your children may want to try a new sport or musical instrument, choose an extracurricular activity or club, or take tumbling, dance, or karate classes. If so, they could set a goal of reaching a certain level or accomplishing a certain skill. They may want to make the honor roll each grading period. Or the goal may be to save a certain amount of money toward next summer’s special activities. You can make a chart showing how much a trip would cost, and break it into smaller goals. Sit down with your children and brainstorm possible goals for the new school year.

Summer vacation may be drawing to a close, but the fun doesn’t have to end yet. Make the most of the last days of summer.

You can see this on the Tyndale blog HERE

Backyard Swing Set Safety

Backyard Swing Set Safety

          Many children grow up with fond memories of summers spent playing on a swing set in their backyard. When I grew up, only a few fortunate children had swing sets and it gained them favor from the others who hoped to be invited to play on them. But with the affordability of today's swing sets, they are a common yard toy.

          Unfortunately, approximately 15,000 children are treated each year in the emergency room for injuries from backyard playground equipment. Most of the injuries are due to falling from equipment. 

          Although it might be tempting to buy a used swing set, it's better not to because of the possibility of unseen rust or damage. Never compromise safety for price. The best swing set to get is one that grows with your child whether modular, wooden or steel framed.

          Regardless of the type of swing set you chose, look at the fasteners and chains used. Screws should have caps that keep children from scraping or cutting themselves. Chains should be coated or have a casing so that children won’t pinch, scrape or cut their fingers or hands. Rough surfaces or edges should be sanded down or covered to prevent injury.

          For the safest use, place the swing set with six feet clearance all the way around and anchor it to the ground to avoid tipping or rocking. Since most swing set injuries are from falls, check the ground underneath for debris or sharp objects. 

          Consider adding soft material under the swing set such as sand or ground rubber. Avoid swing set with play equipment over six feet high for young children. Equipment over six feet in height doubles the chances of injuries. 

         Place the swing set in a shady area to avoid the equipment getting too hot. Metal slides that are heated by the sun can cause burns on little legs.

          Check the swing set often for loose or rusted hardware. Check the swings, slide and chain casing for cracks.

         You may have the safest play set available, but if your child doesn't know the rules, it becomes unsafe. Your child should understand that he or she needs to follow the same rules at a friend's house.

Common Sense Rules

·        Don’t walk in front or behind a swing in use.

·        Don’t wear clothing with strings, ties or anything that can get caught in playground equipment.

·        Check equipment that is in the sun to see if it’s too hot.

·        One at a time on the slide.

·        Go down, not up, the slide.

·        Don’t stand or kneel in the swing.

·        One on a swing at a time.

·        Don’t twist the swing chains.

·        Don’t swing an empty swing.

·        Make sure the swing has stopped before getting off.