In-expensive Activities

The Slip n Slide is a big hit around here.

Hi!!!

1. Home depot has free projects for the kids to make (I think it is the first Saturday of the month).

2. Lowes also has free projects (It was the 2nd and 4th Saturdays).

3. Someone already mentioned the library programs. Some are pretty cool and the kids can earn prizes for reading.

4.Free movies on Tuesday and Wednesdays at some theaters: http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalsch...

Hope this helps keep the kiddos busy some of the summer.

L.

There is a place called Atomic Bounce in Red Lion that has 4-5 bouncers set up indoors. It's only $5/child for 2 hours. They have limited days open though so you have to check their schedule.

Have you checked out the summer schedule at your local library? Many have summer reading programs (for the older ones) as well as lap-sit storytimes for the little O..
Next time you go to the park, take stuff with you that you normally don't: ex. soccer ball/bikes/balls & bats whatever you usually don't do there.....
Take a bag of bread to the a nearby pond to feed the ducks.
The older ones may enjoy an around-the-house scavenger hunt were you make a list of 20 things they can find in your house/yard and the first O. done wins bragging rights.
Invite a few friends/neighbor kids over and turn on the sprinkler. Water balloons/water guns are always fun.
Just a few ideas.....

Here are some additional ideas to the ones you've already received...

Many churches are offering VBS at this time of year. They are usually free or low cost.

Check your area for children's theater groups. My town and the local county park each have children's performances for $2-$5 per ticket.

County and city parks often have free concerts and movies in the summertime.

Firehalls and churches have summer carnivals.

See if there is a Relay for Life in your area. This is an event/fudnraiser for the American Cancer Society. Teams walk a track to raise money and awareness for cancer. The public is invited to cheer on the participants, play games, eat treats, and enjoy the entertainment. http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=16857

Michael's periodically offers free or low cost workshops for kids. http://www.theknackkids.com/EventView/Code/ev0017.aspx

Half Price Books has a summer reading program in which kids can earn a $3 shopping card every week until the end of July by simply logging 15 minutes of reading for 5 days every week. http://www.halfpricebooks.com/feed_your_brain.html

Though it will initially cost some money, maybe purchase a membership to a local zoo, museum, or other entertainment venue. Where I live there are 4 related museums that we can visit by purchasing one membership. It saves us a ton of money in the long run.

Other ideas - crafts, put on a talent show, start a family book club, choose a volunteer project, run through the sprinkler, plant tomatoes and have the kids help take care of them and pick them.

Have fun!

AMC Theaters also have $1 movies on Wednesday. You can find the schedule on their website.

The Franklin has FREE family nights on the third Wednesday of the month. You can see all of the exhibits, IMAX, and planetarium.

Free concerts in Media every night Wed-Sun...http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/summer/index.html

The Art Museum of Philadelphia used to be free on Sundays, but I'm not sure if that is true anymore. Does anyone know?

Check out your Michael's, library's, barnes and noble, and this article.

http://www.destroydebt.com/articles/90-low-cost-or-no-cos...

Hi. If you live in Chester County, PA check out
http://chestercountymoms.blogspot.com/.
It has a community calander that is jammed packed with local events/outings.

Herr's Chip factory out towards Oxford, PA offers free tours, and it's stroller friendly.

Ryerr's Horse Farm is another great site to take kids. Check the web for directions. It's up 100 N.

Have fun.

Can't think of the name of the publication, but if you stop in the pediatrician's office or at most daycare centers, they should have a NEPA magazine in the lobby...inside is a schedule of summer events (the publication comes out 3-4 times a year). I get one from my girls' preschool/daycare, but have seen them at the doc's office as well.
Not sure where you live...but Barnes and Noble has story time (at the W-B location) on Tuesdays at 10am and Thursdays at 6:30pm. There are a bunch of things going on every weekend at Frances Slocum State Park. Cinemark has movies on Tuesday mornings at 10am for $1 admission per person or you can get a package for all summer for $5. Nay Aug in Scranton has lots of fun stuff to do. That magazine has a ton of stuff in it. The local libraries usually do a summer reading program, where a prize is earned for every 5 books your child reads (reading to them counts!). Plus the Children's Library in Scranton usually has tons of stuff going on. The Northeast Fair is 6/23-6/28, but that can get pricey. There's something at the Everhart Museum on 7/6, some sort of reading workshop from 2-2:45, I think we are going to try to go to that.
Also, Farmer's Market in W-B 10:15-4 on Thursdays during the summer. There's kid-related activities on 7/9, 7/16, and 8/6 (can't remember what the activities are, but I wrote those dates specifically on my calendar). The Pittston Tomato Festival is in August...that's usually fun.
We do the local library (our closest one is in Taylor) at least once a week...that's usually our 'rainy day' place.

And playdates...setting stuff up with other moms...take turns hosting or bringing goodies...

Hi A R
I am not sure where you live. Regal Cinema in Easton on 248 by Walmart has free movies on Tuesday and Wednesday. All appropriate movies for your children's ages. I have the list of movies if you are interested. Let me know.

Thanks Bonnie

Hi, I am not sure where you live, but I am in NJ. Mom of 4 (16,14,8,7. I do go to lots of parks. Sometimes we play :playground hopping". We packs snacks and lunch and pick playgrounds we want to go to all over the place. Some are local, or there favorites. Some are new and some are far to allow them to rest in the a/c and take a nap. We get one special treat like water ice, etc. They love this and look forward to being surprized with different places. We spend about an hour at each park, depending on there interest and time. Sometimes a add in a playdate at one of the parks.
Many moms also make rounds to Vacation Bible Schools. Many are free and a few hours or fun and learning- rain or shine. Check out your library too, ours has summer sctivites and reading times. Have a great time!

C. Boone
Lovin working from Home..Would love to show you how!
www.workathomeunited.com/free2beme

Local libraries off lots of things like free movies, crafts, concerts and more. Regal theaters offer free summer movies. Backyard pools & sprinklers. Nature walks. Backyard camping. Harrisburg Mall has Bass Pro shops offer events and has the big fish tank. Bubbles - I have a bubble blowing machine you buy in the party supply section for about $10. Make little outside gardens. Vacation bible school are starting all over. Churches offer events as well.

If you're within 2 hours of Harrisburg you can join us for tons of events within a 2 hour drive in area communities:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HarrisburgPAChat
chat and events within 2 hour radius

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

ar,
why cheap stuff?
go on a road trip to no where. give kids a map . a compass, and a washable marker .
if daddy has to work ... go without him ..
take auntie,grammy, grandpa ...
take pixs , let kids in creek , touch trees, find bugs or pee in woods .
make itan adventure .
boys are boys
NO ELECTRONICS...allowed.
good luck
t3

You could sign them up for FREE bowling at hopefully a local participating alley. Check out the link below for more details. The kids get 2 free games per day and the only cost to you is the shoes. I just signed mine up and will be taking them for their first time this week. I can let you know how it turns out, but I think they'll enjoy it. 2 games per day should be plenty. Good Luck A.
Here is the link kidsbowlfree.com