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
Summer Fun With Kids
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
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
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
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. Dancing … [Read more...] about Top 10 DIY outdoor toys and summer activities for kids
8 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 make these … [Read more...] about 8 giant backyard games you can build yourself
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
Free hands-on craft workshops for kids
If your kids love to get their hands dirty, they've got ample ways to get creative on the cheap. During free hands-on craft workshops offered at major retailers, they can assemble Lego creations, build their own birdhouses and jewelry boxes, turn clay pots into animals or decorative gifts and more, … [Read more...] about Free hands-on craft workshops for kids
Kids’ crafts: Make a braided-rope dog toy
When it comes to kids' crafts, I like projects they can make and use rather than just make and throw away. During a recent sleepover in my house, I enlisted the help of two kids to try out one of the DIY projects I have bookmarked on Pinterest. Using fleece fabric left over from winter projects, … [Read more...] about Kids’ crafts: Make a braided-rope dog toy
