Wondering how you are going to fill this wonderful time with the kids this summer? Here are some fun, educational and budget friendly ideas you can do, no matter what state you live in.
State & National Parks
Your state will have a website with all kinds of information about the state parks in your area. I have been amazed at what is right around us that I didn’t even know was there! For instance, we have a State Park Nature Center that has many FREE classes that are very good, not only are they fun but I love that they are also educational. Be sure to see if your state parks have special tours or events you can checkout. This State Parks site lists many parks by state.
If you have a National Park close by, checkout this post on How to Get in Your National Park for FREE.
The Library
If you haven’t visited your local library, you should. This is a great place to escape the heat, and have a blast. Many local libraries have story time, crafts and even puppet shows – and you can attend these even if you aren’t a member. For those of you who are, the library is a great place to get free books, DVD’s, CD’s, audio books and more.
Waterfalls
Visiting your local waterfalls is a great day trip and a perfect excuse to get outside and enjoy your local area. I have lived in Tennessee all my life and was very excited to find a beautiful water fall park less than an hour away from us, Cummins Falls State Park.
Historic Landmarks
Living in the south, we are provided with a plethora of historic landmarks to visit, and again, not only is it fun but very educational. If you know local homeschoolers, they are a great resource on the best sites to visit, because they have probably already been there!
Outdoor Movies
Most cities have great offerings for outdoor movies, you can find them at your local parks or even look for a drive in movie theatre. Last summer, we took a nice scenic drive with the kids and introduced them to a drive-in movie theatre and they have talked about it many times since.
Local Tourist Attractions
There is a reason they are called “attractions” and people come to visit them! Have you visited the local tourist attractions in your state yet? Being a local, you probably already know all the local hot spots and insider tourist secrets, so now is the time to take advantage and implement a plan of action. Even if you are not interested in getting in the crowds, there are usually TONS of free attractions right in your area that are hidden gems.
Camping
Checkout the local camping spots and see which ones are close by. Camping is a great way to save money, unplug and enjoy the outdoors. There are so many free things to do at camp sites like fishing, swimming, barbecuing, roasting marshmallows, creek wading and more.
Geocaching
Geocaching is like a city-wide treasure hunt using your GPS-enabled devices. You search for the “geocache container” hidden in a certain location. You can find more information about Geocaching here.
Canoeing
Find a local river, pack a lunch, and hop in a canoe. My kids absolutely love canoeing down our local river.
Zoo, Aquarium, WaterParks and Museums
One of my kids favorite activities is to take a day trip to a park or museum. Chances are you have one no more than an hour or more away and if you happen to have hotel points you could turn it into an inexpensive overnight trip too!
Looking for more ideas? Here is a great list of Staycation Ideas by State!
