At last, we are in the midst of summer _ a time awaited with much anticipation by young and old alike. If you or someone you know are looking for fun and inexpensive activities to do this summer, just use your imagination.
Camping is an affordable activity for summer that can be enjoyed by families and kids of all ages. Camping is inexpensive and can be made as hassle-free as a person desires. For those wishing to take it easy, renting a cabin may be the way to go _ simply pack sleeping bags, food and clothing and the weekend is yours.
On an even simpler note, backyard camping is a great option. With backyard camping, there is no need to pack dishes or food and all of the other supplies needed when camping away from home. Backyard camping is great for families with small children, and teens as well, who can invite friends for the night, stay up late and roast marshmallows or make popcorn over the open fire while being close to home in case of an emergency or inclement weather.
On warm summer evenings, there are a multitude of activities to enjoy that cost nothing as well. First, take a few moments to check out all of the constellations that fill the warm summer night sky. The next day, do some research on the constellations that you found. Read about the lore to go along with each one. It's a great way to spend time together and it's free.
Flashlight tag is an all-time summer favorite, as well, and is virtually free _ all that is required is a working flashlight, and kids will have a blast.
Water play is inexpensive and a great summertime activity for kids and adults alike. Most kids love to play in the water on hot, summer days. Whether it be going to a public swimming pool, lake or a simple lawn sprinkler, getting wet is the name of the game.
For older kids, water balloon fights are a good activity for a daytime get-together with friends. Water slides, sprinklers and pools are also great options for cooling off on hot summer afternoons, and with proper supervision, are an awesome way to spend the day.
Along with camping and swimming, baseball seems to be synonymous with summer. However, major league games are expensive, and for those of us in upstate New York require travel time as well. Therefore, minor league games are a wonderful alternative, since admission to a minor league game is more economical and quite often, when sponsored by local businesses and/or agencies, free. Here in Oneonta, one can go to an Oneonta Tigers game and enjoy all of the great food and entertainment that accompany a major league game while spending a great evening with family and friends for little or no money at all.
Tie-dye parties can be a fun way to spend a sunny summer afternoon as well, and with a bit of planning and forethought result in some awesome designs. Tie-dye parties are very inexpensive and fun to do. Simply purchase a pre-assembled tie-dye kit, available at most major stores, and have available any basic light-colored clothing or fabric (white typically works best). For younger children, supervision is required and assistance is needed. However, teens can really have a blast expressing their creativity with unique, handmade designs.
Another cost-efficient way to spend your summer days and still have fun is to host a neighborhood scavenger hunt. Simply have an adult or chaperone assemble a list of items to be gathered and send kids out in teams to find everything on the list, offering a prize for the first team to return "mission accomplished." Inform kids to only go to individuals' homes they know and to stick with their teammates as well. Younger children will need to have an adult or older child with them for safety reasons. It also would be a good idea to inform households in your neighborhood of the event.
Family night/game night need not be a thing of the past. Kids love to spend time with family members playing games and making homemade snacks. To mix things up a bit, invite other family members and/or friends to join you as well. Set up a schedule for "game night" _ whose house it will be held at, what games to play and what type of snack foods to bring. It is a wonderful way to have children of all ages get involved in planning.
Drive-in movies have long been a summer ritual for many. They are an inexpensive alternative to going to a movie theater, and parents need not worry about how much noise their little one may make. Be sure to arrive well before the start of the show to play a game of Frisbee or have fun kicking a soccer ball. Also, don't forget to take along a lawn chair and blanket to snuggle up under the summer sky while enjoying a movie on the big screen.
Homemade ice cream night can be a fun summer activity also. For the cost of supplies and toppings, hosting a homemade ice cream party can be a delicious way to spend a sizzling summer day. Fresh-picked berries and homemade sauces are great when accompanied with homemade ice cream.
Finally, be sure to check out your local library, where special events are generally planned throughout the summer for kids and families of all ages. Here in Oneonta, the Huntington Memorial Library hosts special events during the summer months that are free to the public but do require pre-registration. According to Jennifer Holland, children's coordinator, there are special events planned all summer long in conjunction with regular reading programs. Some of the other specials happening at Huntington are; Miss Spider's Tea Party, featuring Miss Spider herself, and the Flying Toys Program, featuring boomerangs, airplanes and other flying objects as well. For a complete listing of events, log onto the library's website at www.hmloneonta.org.
Also, the Cooperstown Village Library will sponsor special events at 7 p.m. Wednesdays on the library lawn. If stormy skies are present, all presentations take place inside. They are free to the public. Peg Odell, a spokeswoman for Friends of the Library, said that the Cooperstown Village Library will host storytellers, musicians and nature presentations. Families are welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets and strollers for seating.
So this summer, take some time each day to enjoy the many fun activities listed _ or come up with your own _ stepping away from computers, cell phones and video games that adhere to so many of us on a daily basis.
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