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Summer Bucket List

100 Budget Friendly Summer Activities

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Summer time- yeah or nay? Do your children long for Summer only to become infinitely bored at every turn? If your children are anything like mine, then a long list of fun Summer Activities to do is a MUST for your Summer Sanity! Having over 100 days of Summer can break the bank unless you plan budget friendly Summer activities!

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Got a small budget that needs to be stretched this Summer? Trust me I have been there for the last 5 or so Summers! I try to rack my brain for activities but once your children become stir crazy then it seems like mommy brain sets in, lol. Yes, there are tons of ideas, jars, sticks, etc. floating around pinterest but why not just have a simple checklist of fun things to do? That’s why I created this list of 100 budget friendly Summer Activities.

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Top 10 Messy Projects Great for Summer Fun

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We love to have fun and it seems like my kids love projects. Some projects are clean and calm while other’s are messy. My children seem to enjoy the messy projects the best! I think these messy projects will be great for outdoor Summer fun. This post is part of a Top 10 Summer posts series so be sure to scroll all the way day for more incredible Summer fun ideas!

top 10 messy Summer fun

 

 

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First Time Catching Lightning Bugs

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I was thinking of all the fun and budget friendly Summer activities that we need to add to our bucket list and bug catching came to mind. Then a friend on facebook mentioned that Lightning Bugs are so special they need their own spot on the list. I definitely agree with her. I grew up in the country and Lightning Bugs were pretty common place. Now that we are raising four kids while being in town it’s a little harder at times to find them.

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Reasons Why Staycations Are A Great Idea

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The super Summer buzzword that came to be before 2008 but was made uber popular since the recession – the STAYCATION! You will see, hear, and read it everywhere as Summer gets closer and closer. I love the idea of a vacation but with four children 11 years and younger it may not be as fun as it sounds. This is why I think I have some reasons why Staycations are a great idea that you should consider.

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1. Staycations do not place an unreasonably high standard for an elaborate vacation.

Not everyone can afford a fancy, expensive vacation. Planning a vacation above your means puts stress on the whole family. This also sets an unnecessary standard that your children with grow to expect each year! Instead plan something free, cheap or local. Create memories that are easy for your children to do with their family when they grow up (stargaze, hike, go play at a park,etc). Check your state parks, county parks, and city parks for free or cheap activities. You never know you may just create a fun family tradition!

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Our Summer To-Do List

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Okay, so April is gone and May is rapidly coming to and end! Soon Summer will be in full-force! This Summer my hubby’s job will take him away from us 5 days a week except some days which he can telecommute. This will be our first Summer with FOUR CHILDREN and daddy working full-time. Eek! I definitely need some cheap ways to have fun this Summer! Who better to ask then my children, right? If I do not ask them for input, then we might miss doing something that is on their Summer bucket list!

Simple Summer Fun- Bike riding, Camping, and water play

Things we always do in the Summer:

1. Summer Reading Clubs– usually we join 3-4 different library programs to fulfill all of our reading fun! We just happen to live within a 15 minute radius of four different libraries. Each one has it’s pros and cons as far as how active their program is and what their library has to offer.

 

2. Backyard Camping– this year might prove a little difficult with an active infant but mom wants to sleep in a tent with kids this Summer. Last Summer being pregnant prevented such fun times!

3. Bonfires– we usually forget to have them early on and then the heat of Summer takes over. We then feel it’s a bit ridiculous to have a hot fire on a hot day! With hubby’s new work schedule we should be able to have one each week if our heart desires. I want to practice cooking on a fire in case we ever go camping:)

pool_Collage 4. Grandma’s pool- I hope my parents get their above ground pool prepped early this year. As soon as the temps stay steady in the 80’s then we can drive to my parent’s to enjoy some cooling off.

Things my Kids Wanna do this Summer:

I enrolled both Eldest and Princess in a free class called “Be a Better Biker” day camp that a local police department puts on for 4th through 6th graders. It is a week long half-day camp all about street smarts and bike safety skills. We live in town so this information will prove valuable for their safety as well as other neighborhood kids.

Princess wants to take a gymnastics class. She took gymnastics at the YMCA when she was preschool age then switched to cheer then to ballet. Last Summer she took tennis so I was surprised when she opted for gymnastics class this year. She even opted to NOT take a jump rope class.

Eldest has been really wanting to do basketball AND Lego League/Robotics. This was a little tricky since most kids his age may have Open Gym times through their local Middle School. Since we homeschool sometimes you have to get creative. I found a local community center that offers a two day basic basketball skills camp and a seasonal leagues. His age is co-ed and starts shortly after the skills camp.

Big Red has no clue. He was offered to attend a nature camp but didn’t think it sounded good to him. GO figure he’s 4! I know he will enjoy swimming in grandma’s pool and taking some short staycation trips with the rest of us. He might even enjoy a backyard camping trip including a bonfire or catching lightning bugs.