Kids can’t wait until school is out but it isn’t long before they are saying, “I’m bored!” Keeping them entertained for three months can get expensive if you are not careful. As a wise mother, you can keep your kids entertained and active this summer without breaking the bank. You kids will have fun with these affordable summer activities.

Water fun:

A soaker hose is a great way to have water fun right at home. Add water guns and balloons and let the games begin. Nothing is more refreshing than a good run through the sprinkler with a water fight in the backyard. If you have a hill in your yard, cover it with black plastic and run the hose over it to create your own slippy-slide. Your kids with have a blast!

Go to a nearby lake or river. Splashing around in the water will cool them off and wear them out. Put on your suit and join them as they swim, dunk and dive. Buy a few water toys at the dollar store and, if you have your children, buy floaties. Remember to keep your eye on the children at all times.

Go fishing. While you are at the lake or by the river, give each of your children an inexpensive fishing pole and teach them how to fish. Even if they are vegetarians, they will have fun catching and releasing their fish.

Buy a summer pass for the local swimming pool. While it seems a little pricey up-front, a family swimming pass will allow your family to go swimming every day that the weather is good. Families that cannot afford the pass still have plenty of fun water options.

Movie fun:

Afternoon matinees are reasonable and, during the summer, most theaters have a line-up of movies for children that are sure to thrill your kids. Some theaters even offer movie passes for the entire summer. Check out the possibilities at a theater near you.

Hang a sheet on the garage and project your favorite kids’ movie on the sheet. The entire family can set around in yard furniture or setting on sleeping bags and munch on popcorn while the huge pictures flash on the screen. Invite a few friends and turn it in to a party.

Buy a used or inexpensive digital movie camera. Let your kids make their own movies. If you are technologically gifted or have a simple program you can edit their work. If not, just watch the raw footage. Watch their creations during family fun night time.

Quiet fun:

Sign your kids up with your local library. Story-hour is not all they have to offer. Summer reading programs offer your kids a chance to win prizes while they enjoy the books they chose. Some libraries offer free movie afternoons, craft classes and other special activities.

Get out all the supplies and call the kids in to the kitchen. Spend the afternoon baking cookies or other delectable goodies. Summer is also a great time to teach the children how to cook wholesome meals.

Give them each $3.00 and take them to the dollar store. They will have a blast browsing for the perfect toy. When they get home, they’ll have more fun playing with the toys they carefully purchased.

Creative fun:

Create a craft box and save odds and ends all year long. On rainy afternoons, bring out the craft box and let your children go crazy designing and building whatever their imaginations can conjure up.

Supply a dress-up box. Encourage the kids to use their imaginations. The clothing in the dress-up box are perfect to use when they are making their own movies too.

Have a theme day each week. Read a book like “Little House on the Prairie” and then spend the day doing things Laura and Mary would have done. Learn to sew, bob for apples, climb trees or play checkers. Use a different book each week.

Outdoor fun:

Every Monday, go to a different park in town. Check out the playground equipment, play catch or through a Frisbee. Take a picnic lunch and enjoy a day outdoors.

Take a hike. If you live near a National Park, that would be a great place to hike. If not, just take the kids and head out for a hike through the country or around the neighborhood.

Camping activities are not only fun, they are very reasonable. The upfront costs will be amortized as you camp over the next few years. There is just something about sitting around a campfire with a stick holding hot-dogs or marshmallows over the flame while someone tells a story that kids love. If you can’t get away to a campground, pitch the tent in the backyard and hold your sticks over the barbeque fire.

Teach your kids how to have fun on a budget this summer. They will be content and you will know that they are having a summer worth remembering.

Borrow free movies from your local library. They have a special section in the children department as well as more offerings in the adult section to choose from with no cost. Just be sure you take them back on

By Joan Collins