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TIP - Summer Fun Can Cost Less!
By Connie Jennings, Marketing Director |
Summer
vacation is finally here and we are faced with the
question of what to do with all that time. Or more like, how do
we entertain the kids so they do not get so bored? Here are
some helpful outdoor and educational ideas that won?t cost you an arm and a leg and take
very little planning.
OUTDOORS
· Start
some type of collection ? bugs, coins, marbles, etc.
· Bird
watch ? record and catalog information. What type of birds have
they spotted? Bird books are fairly inexpensive at your local
book store. This can also be done with wildflowers, animals,
bugs, etc.
· Visit
the zoo. But, don?t just walk through it. Take drawing paper
and let your child draw the animals or draw your family at the
zoo. When you get home you can frame the artwork and remember
this day for years to come.
· Go
to the park ? Pack a picnic lunch, invite some friends, fly a
kite and have fun.
· Go
fishing ? Dust off that old fishing pole and take the family
fishing.
· Go
hiking ? Hit those trails and start walking. Most areas
have a great state park or recreational park. Don?t forget
the bug spray.
· Go
to the local farmer?s market or one of those pick-your-own
produce farms.
· Go
camping ? there?s nothing like the smell of the campfire and
cooking over the fire. It?s a great time for family bonding and
the memories will last a lifetime.
· Play
board games and/or learn a new card game ? play outside on a blanket.
EDUCATIONAL
· Go
to your public library - summer reading clubs expand your
child?s horizons and it is air conditioned on those
hot summer days.
· Teach
your child to cook. Maybe cook some of those fresh picked
vegetables or fruit from the market or farm. The greatest
reward is eating what you made!
· Do
community service work ? Pick up litter in a park, work in a
shelter, etc.
· Visit
your state capital. Take a tour of the building, find out the
history about your state and observe the capital while it?s in
session. Be sure to pick up any literature they have available,
it will come in handy during those social studies classes in the
next few years.
· Take
a trip to a factory or manufacturer that offers tours. Learn
how they make products, how they are distributed, how they are
marketed, the history of the business and the importance of it
to the community.
· Find
out what there is to do in your state. You can go on-line, go
to the library or contact the Chamber of Commerce to see what?s
in your area. There are many neat things to do in each state if
you take the time to search, you may find a hidden treasure.
The above
ideas may or may not work for your family. Whatever you do just
spend time together. They really need you at any age!
Always add laughter to whatever you do, it?s so healing and good
for the soul. Tell them how important they are ? even if they
know it, they need to hear it!! Enjoy this time ? it goes by so
fast!
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