I think many of us really aren't able to take a vacation this summer. If we're not able to go anywhere, I still want to make it a summer filled with memories. There are still some great ways to make your summer awesome and spend very little. Here's some things you can do.
Go to the park. You can pack a picnic lunch to make it even more fun.
Check your local theater and see if they have any cheap summer movies. Our local theater is a Carmike Cinema and is running a great promo right now for Summer Movies. On Tuesday they have a movie for $1. It's an already on DVD movie but hey, it's only a dollar and a fun experience for kids to go to the movies. If you're like us, taking the kids to a regular priced movie is rare, even a matinee. It just is so expensive. They are also offering dollar popcorn and drinks on Tuesdays so that makes it an even better deal!
Check for restaurants that have kids eat free specials along with a craft or activity for the kids. Tuesday night (5pm-7pm) at Chick-Fil-A they have an activity for the kids and kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal. I think it's one child's meal per adult meal. They also just had their Cow Appreciation Day where dressing like a cow got you a free meal. They run different things here and there so keep an eye out.
Fazoli's also has kids night on Tuesday night (5pm-8pm). They have an activity and all kid's meals are just .99. You can't beat that! To my knowledge you're not required to buy anything to get it for that price so it's a very economical dinner.
Steak n Shake has kids eat free on Saturday and Sunday. With each $8 you spend you get one free kid's meal.
If you like to include eating out as part of your summer, sign up on the email clubs of all your favorite places. Many times you can get coupons for signing up and get coupons throughout the year.
Local museums usually have discounted days or free days. Check you local ones and see if they have any specials.
Grill out and eat outside. You can play this up or down as much as you like.
Camp out in your own backyard. If you have a fire pit you could even roast some marshmallows! This is on my wish list to have. I think it would be so much fun!
One of our favorite things to do is to go to Sonic for Half Price drinks during happy hour (2-4pm everyday). Steak n Shake also has this special on their drinks and shakes (2-4pm weekdays). As well as, Dairy Queen (2-5pm weekdays). Check with your local locations to verify participation and times.
Go bowling at your local bowling alley. Some have specials. Ours have a bowl two get one free on Mondays. Check yours to see if they have any specials.
Go to VBS. Our kids love Vacation Bible School. This year they participated at our church as well as a friend's church. They had a blast! My friend's church even took the kids horseback riding at the end of the VBS. The kids all loved it!
Have a themed dinner night. One of our favorite dinners at Disney World when we went two years ago, was at 'Ohana. We recreated our special dinner at home. It was so much fun!
Have an ice cream social. Invite your kids' friends over and their parents too! Everyone can make their own sundaes. You could even have each guest bring their favorite topping.
Game night- This can be a board game or even using a gaming system like the Wii.
Movie night- Pop popcorn and turn off the lights. Let everyone stay up a little later and watch your favorite family movie. You could even have a movie marathon either in one day or a few days of your favorite series. Such as Narnia, Lord of the Rings, etc.
There are many more things you can do. I would love to hear what frugal ideas you all have! Hope everyone is having a great summer!
Go to the park. You can pack a picnic lunch to make it even more fun.
Check your local theater and see if they have any cheap summer movies. Our local theater is a Carmike Cinema and is running a great promo right now for Summer Movies. On Tuesday they have a movie for $1. It's an already on DVD movie but hey, it's only a dollar and a fun experience for kids to go to the movies. If you're like us, taking the kids to a regular priced movie is rare, even a matinee. It just is so expensive. They are also offering dollar popcorn and drinks on Tuesdays so that makes it an even better deal!
Check for restaurants that have kids eat free specials along with a craft or activity for the kids. Tuesday night (5pm-7pm) at Chick-Fil-A they have an activity for the kids and kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal. I think it's one child's meal per adult meal. They also just had their Cow Appreciation Day where dressing like a cow got you a free meal. They run different things here and there so keep an eye out.
Fazoli's also has kids night on Tuesday night (5pm-8pm). They have an activity and all kid's meals are just .99. You can't beat that! To my knowledge you're not required to buy anything to get it for that price so it's a very economical dinner.
Steak n Shake has kids eat free on Saturday and Sunday. With each $8 you spend you get one free kid's meal.
If you like to include eating out as part of your summer, sign up on the email clubs of all your favorite places. Many times you can get coupons for signing up and get coupons throughout the year.
Local museums usually have discounted days or free days. Check you local ones and see if they have any specials.
Grill out and eat outside. You can play this up or down as much as you like.
Camp out in your own backyard. If you have a fire pit you could even roast some marshmallows! This is on my wish list to have. I think it would be so much fun!
One of our favorite things to do is to go to Sonic for Half Price drinks during happy hour (2-4pm everyday). Steak n Shake also has this special on their drinks and shakes (2-4pm weekdays). As well as, Dairy Queen (2-5pm weekdays). Check with your local locations to verify participation and times.
Go bowling at your local bowling alley. Some have specials. Ours have a bowl two get one free on Mondays. Check yours to see if they have any specials.
Go to VBS. Our kids love Vacation Bible School. This year they participated at our church as well as a friend's church. They had a blast! My friend's church even took the kids horseback riding at the end of the VBS. The kids all loved it!
Have a themed dinner night. One of our favorite dinners at Disney World when we went two years ago, was at 'Ohana. We recreated our special dinner at home. It was so much fun!
Have an ice cream social. Invite your kids' friends over and their parents too! Everyone can make their own sundaes. You could even have each guest bring their favorite topping.
Game night- This can be a board game or even using a gaming system like the Wii.
Movie night- Pop popcorn and turn off the lights. Let everyone stay up a little later and watch your favorite family movie. You could even have a movie marathon either in one day or a few days of your favorite series. Such as Narnia, Lord of the Rings, etc.
There are many more things you can do. I would love to hear what frugal ideas you all have! Hope everyone is having a great summer!
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Mrs. Paradis