You spend lots of money taking your family on vacation miles from home. You want your vacation photos to be perfect. Nothing is more disappointing than vacation photos that miss the mark. Why not spend a few minutes learning techniques that can make your family vacation photo winners? Ed … [Read more...] about Quick and easy ways to take better photos
Summer Fun With Kids
Giant backyard games you can build yourself
Game time is fun, but for bigger fun, you need bigger games. You may have seen those giant outdoor games made from ordinary board games. These are perfect for the kids to play with all summer or for pulling out for a summer party. But buying them can cost hundreds. Fortunately, you can … [Read more...] about Giant backyard games you can build yourself
How to set up a money-saving childcare co-op
Even the most enthusiastic parent needs some kid-free time – whether it’s for a night out with the spouse, a lunch with friends or even just a doctor’s appointment. But the expense of paid childcare can be prohibitive for some families. Teens are more available to babysit during the summer months, … [Read more...] about How to set up a money-saving childcare co-op
Top 10 DIY outdoor toys and summer activities for kids
Here are our best ideas for summer activities for kids that lets them spend summer as it was meant to be enjoyed -- playing outside. These DIY activities give your kids the chance to be creative and make their own toys from common household supplies or very modest investment. You don't have to head … [Read more...] about Top 10 DIY outdoor toys and summer activities for kids
Great ways to save on summer travel
Summer is a great time to travel. Not only are the kids out of school, you don't have to worry about bad weather getting in the way of your carefully laid plans. Smart travelers know to follow their favorite airlines, hotel chains and vacation spots on Facebook and Twitter, where spur-of-the-moment … [Read more...] about Great ways to save on summer travel
Cheap summer fun for kids of all ages
Most parents learn about child development as they go. Moms, dads, grandmas and grandpas try to tailor plans that keep everyone happy — but anyone who has spent more than a few minutes around little ones knows that children's attention spans are short. Sometimes parents (and teachers) can run out of … [Read more...] about Cheap summer fun for kids of all ages
Free or low-cost things to do in national parks
National parks – “America’s Best Idea” – offer a wealth of free entertainment options. Spending vacation time in a U.S. national park is a rewarding and memorable family experience, and accommodations within parks are less expensive than you might think, especially in spring and fall. Admission is … [Read more...] about Free or low-cost things to do in national parks
How to take a bite out of road trip food costs
Summertime is synonymous with travel, and when flights were cheap, that meant flying to your destination. But with airfares at an all-time high, many Americans are opting for a good old-fashioned road trip. A lot of things are appealing about road trips — they can be as leisurely or as hectic as you … [Read more...] about How to take a bite out of road trip food costs
Cheap summer family fun: hiking with kids
Summertime means plenty of opportunity to get outdoors, away from TV and video games, and enjoy nature at its best. If there is a nature center in your city, check out the programs for both kids and adults – they’re usually FREE or just charge a few bucks to cover costs. But maybe you’d rather … [Read more...] about Cheap summer family fun: hiking with kids
21 fun ideas for kids on summer break
School Break. Spring Break. Summer Break. Fall Break. The terms excite students across the country but also can instill dread in the minds of the parents of school-age children everywhere. Days or weeks in a row with no school. What can you possibly do to prevent hearing "I'm bored" over and over … [Read more...] about 21 fun ideas for kids on summer break
Nine ways to visit museums on the cheap
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I'm a culture junkie. Whether it's an art museum or a history center, I want to check it out, and whenever it houses a new temporary exhibition, it lures me in again. The downside of my addiction: Admission fees add up quickly. To get my fix without breaking the bank, I use a few tricks to score … [Read more...] about Nine ways to visit museums on the cheap
Kids’ crafts: Make a rubber-band powered boat
I remembered learning how to make a rubber-band powered boat out of a Styrofoam plate when I was young, and just knew it would make for some thrifty summer fun. This project was a hit at my house. Kids making their own toys -- what's not to love? It's frugal and it keeps the kids busy during the … [Read more...] about Kids’ crafts: Make a rubber-band powered boat
