More Free Summer Fun

I'm one of those parents who likes to keep their kid occupied and active during the summer.  I also don't want to pay for a lot of activities if i don't have to.  What can I say?  I'm frugal.  That just sounds so much better then cheap, don't you think?  But realistically, there's lots of things out there to do that cost little to no money.  Don't get me wrong, we do some things that require payments, like ballet and possibly gymnastics.

I've already told you about the free summer bowling. Our area is close enough we can go to the beach, another great free activity.  We don't have a pool, but several friends live in apartments and have offered unlimited access to their community pools.  And one of my favorite places for free summer fun: the library.

Every library system is different, of course.  Google your local library system and start checking it out.  Ours offers Kids Crafts Saturdays.  The brilliant thing is that it rotates each week.  One branch has it this week, then a different branch next week.  We can do different crafts at different branches every week.  In two weeks they'll kick off their summer reading program.  The kick off is always great.  There's crafts, games, and lots of free stuff.  Area restaurants and businesses get involved.  Last year we got coupons for free miniature golf, free AAA baseball tickets, free kids meal at Applebee's, and lots of other things.  During the course of the reading program there will be other activities as well.  Then, at the end of the summer the grand finale will be a blast.  They'll open up one of the museums for free entry and have stations set up for kids to do things all over the museum.  Aside from all of that, you'll still get the regular great benefit of the library: you'll get new books to read all summer long. What could be better?