Free Summer Time Activities

What do you do when you have children at home during the summer and they are bored? Going to amusement parks and other such places can be very expensive. So what can parents do?

1. Set up a visit with your local fire/police station. Often they love children to come down and see the trucks! There is no charge for a tour and firefighters often love to have children come and visit.

2. Scavenger hunts can be fun at any age! Put items or pictures on the list of things that are in the house or outside in the yard.

3. A fun trip for children can be a nature walk; if you live in the city you can go a nature hunt. Ask the children to look for birds, trees, butterflies and other things. Have them draw pictures of what they see.

5. If you have access to the beach, that can be a great way to get out of the house. Often public beaches don't have charges and pack a lunch!

6. A field trip to the food store can be fun and you can get some shopping done at the same time. Make a list together as a family, and then ask them to help find the items.

7. Check your local newspaper for community events. A lot of towns have concerts and other free activities. If you don't have a local newspaper, call your town hall and ask.

8. Local libraries have story times and other events. Call or stop by and see what they have to offer. If they don't have an event(s) scheduled, have a story time of your own.

9. Bookstores often have free children's events, check out your local bookstore and see what is available.

10. Local farms and farm stands often have animals that children can pet and see. Local farms usually love visitors, just call and ask!

11. Farmer's Markets are a great place to bring children. A lot of times they have demonstrations on yarn making and other lively hoods.

12. Local ice cream places that make their own might be willing to give a tour and show you how ice cream is made.

13. Setting up scheduled play dates are a great way to break up the summer time and can be a great break for parents as well.

14. Playgrounds can be lots of fun, pack a picnic lunch! If you do not have playgrounds available, a lot of public schools have playgrounds available.