Hot Summer Fun in The Sun

Sizzling hot days, no air conditioning, and screaming children tearing apart the house (that is when they aren't fighting with one another). What should you do?!

Summer can be filled with fun without a lot of effort & believe it or not it doesn't cost tons of money either. Here are some tips to keep your children cool(cold & calm!) without breaking your budget.

Try these great tips:

Have a Wet & Wild Day!

Plan this event at least a week in advance. Encourage your child to each invite some of there friends over for a "Splash Day". On the Splash day, set up a sprinkler, a water slide (the yellow slides you can buy inexpensively at your local discount store -usually around $10), a kiddie pool, some water guns, water balloons and some lawn chairs. Your children will have a blast while you lay out and get a nice tan! For a special treat serve homemade juice popsicles, and Kool-aid. (all Ages)

Have a make-over!

This is a fun thing for girls. Let her invite one or two friends over. Then you can help them style their hair & put on make-up or let them do it. To be really fancy, invite over an Avon lady & have an Avon party. Your daughter can invite a couple of her friends and you invite a couple of yours! (ages 10 - 12)

Go to the dollar store.

Give your children each one or two dollars to spend on anything they want. Plus they can use their own money for any extra items they want. (all Ages)

Visit the mall.

Spend some time in the mall with your children. Just window shop. This will also teach them that every time they go shopping they don't have to spend money. If your children want something, tell them to wait a few days. If they still want it, you can bring them back. The nice thing about this option is there is FREE air conditioning! (all Ages)

Have a tea party.

Allow your little girl to invite one special friend to tea. Ask both girls to dress up in a nice Sunday dress. Serve punch & cookies in your best china. (Best for ages 7 - 12)

Have a movie night.

Make your own homemade tickets & use play money. Then make some popcorn. Kids like to pretend they are at the movie theater. You can either rent a movie or put on a favorite video you already own. (Ages 4 - 10 yrs)

Go to the park & have a picnic.

Prepare sandwiches & juice boxes and place them in a picnic basket. Be sure to bring an old tablecloth along. Pick a park with a swing set & play equipment. (All Ages)

Play dress up.

Get out the old clothes from the attic & allow the kids to have fun dressing up! For added fun - use face paint too (All Ages)

Make a movie!

Allow the kids to plan the script, direct & act in their own homemade movie. They can use dress up clothes to be different characters & be the characters in the movie themselves, or they can use the couch as a puppet stage with various puppets. You simply hold the home video camera to tape it. Kids love this! Once they have made one movie they will want to do it again and again! (All Ages)

Sarah Delaporte hosts the Freebie Coupon Corner at www.couponcorner.net.

Do you have a time or money saving idea that wasn't included in this article? Please send it to tips@stretcher.com. We get the best ideas from our readers!

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