Things To Do for Free, Summertime and Beyond

As of the time of this entry, gas where I live is $4.15 a gallon. It’s ridiculous and depressing all at once. We can hardly afford groceries, let alone the expense of gasoline to drive anywhere. On a day like today—blue skies, slight breeze, and 72° temps—I am depressed 10 times over. We sat around this morning, scheming and trying to come up with ideas of what we could do as a family to get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful day, only to find that we had exhausted nearly all of our ideas of inexpensive or free things to do. I’m quickly beginning to acquire the Eeyore sentiment. My last hope of satisfaction today is to pass on some ideas that might suffice with your brood. Warning: Take it slow.

LIBRARY. Check out your local library. This is an invaluable source, especially if you have small children at home. But the older kids can find enjoyment as well. Throughout the year, our local library has story time. It is an occasion that my little ones look forward to each week. The times for specific ages vary. Many libraries also put on summer reading programs and summer reading fairs. Kids can sign up to do a specified amount of reading over the summer (typically only 20 minutes a day), and upon completion, they have a grab at different rewards and prizes ranging from movie tickets, bowling passes, DVD’s, books, an restaurant vouchers. Aside from the books though, you can check out movies for free. And I mean, good movies. Ours carries new releases. OF course, you often have to get on a waiting list for the newest releases, but what’s a little patience? The waiting lists typically go pretty fast because the length of time to check them out is typically 5 days or so. We, as a family, used to rent from the video stores. It’s cost $5+ for each rental! And the cost of renting even a few movies each month was adding up. Now we get all of our movies from the library. Even if there is an old favorite that comes to mind that your particular library doesn’t carry, you can request that they get it (the same goes with books). Pretty cool if you ask me.

MOVIE THEATRE. Hit up the theatre. There is always the $1 theatre to take full advantage of. The other big theatre in our town has free movies for kids in the summertime. Movie times are typically in the morning. Everyone knows (and if you don’t, you will now) that movie theatres don’t make their money from selling tickets. They make it at the concession stand. Why anyone would want to pay $5 for popcorn, $4 for a drink, and $4 for some candy is beyond me, but people do. And the theatres know this. Your in extra trouble with kids in tow. Kids seem to have radar for anything unhealthy. If they were to sell broccoli and peas, the theatre would be bankrupt in 2a week. So they know that the parents will come to the free movie with their kids and buy $50 worth of junk that would normally cost $5 elsewhere. Hitting the movie theatre helps the day go by when you have nothing else to do, and is a way to get out of the house. Just don’t be tempted to buy concessions no matter the amount of begging and pleading from your children and you’ll be golden.

BOWLING ALLEY. Perhaps it’s not free but it certainly can be cheap. Usually, when school is in session, the price for a game of bowling and shoe rental are low because these are the bowling alley’s slooowww times. And in the summer, there are typically summer rates as well. Our local bowling alley has $1 days every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the summer. That means $1 shoe rental and $1 games. And with the new laws passed recently, bowling establishments are now smoke free.

PARK. Why not head to the park. My kids would spend all day there if I let them. Take along a bag of bread while you’re at it if there’s a pond nearby. If the ducks are in town, the kids will love to feed them. And the ducks will love them for it.

COUNTY FAIR. Again, not free but cheap, in comparison to the State Fairs. County fairs typically charge low admission and offer cheap ride bands. And entertainment is usually free when you purchase admission. At our local county fair, if you buy a ride band, all rides are unlimited. Its great to see the looks on your children’s faces as their whirled around and shouting with excitement. And it doesn’t cost a ton.

YOUR OWN YARD. If you're not wanting to go too far from home, its a hot day outside and the kids need an outlet, set up the kiddie pool in the front yard. When I don't feel like being bothered from the neighborhood kids, we pull it around into the backyard. Otherwise, the other kids on the block will see this and be over in no time. Be certain that they received their parent's permission. And of course, keep a watchful eye.

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