Making the Most of Summer Family Time
Today, many parents are working harder than ever and still may find they don’t have the budget or time for a big vacation this summer. If this is the case in your household, you can still find lots of fun, local activities to do with the kids that will have them loving their summer off from school.
Here are some great day trips and activities your family can do:
- Kite flying – spend a day at a local park flying a kite. You can find kite kits online for a couple of dollars each and build and decorate your own kites. Then have a competition within the family to see who can fly the highest, the longest or do the most tricks. Pack a picnic lunch for a wonderful day outdoors.
- Hiking – take a day hike in a local, state or national park in your area. You can go online and find a trail that is suitable for the whole family. There are even dog-friendly trails and hikes, so your four-legged family members can come along as well.
- Geocaching – if you have a smartphone you can take the family geocaching for free. It is like a treasure hunt with directions to find a marker, and then you can record your find in the log within the treasure as well as record your adventures online.
- Community activities – most communities and parks have special activities happening all summer long. These can include fun days and day camps for kids, family activities, runs, fairs and special community sponsored free events. Check your local paper or community blog online for a complete list of free or very low-cost summer activities.
- Nature centers or visit a working farm – there are many different working farms and nature centers that are no cost to visit. This is a fun activity for the whole family, and kids can learn more about nature, animals and food sources.
Providing a lot of short trips and activities is exciting for kids and parents alike, and will make for a memorable summer vacation.
