No Cost, Fun Summer Activities

Page 12 Nurturing Times No Cost, Fun Summer Activities for the Whole Family

by Aurelia Williams from www.isnare.com their own crops. Help them research the item Summer is coming up right around the they chose to grow so they can see how to best corner. Families everywhere are planning care for it. When their crop is ready to harvest, some fun vacations to celebrate the beautiful they can reap from the hard work they put into weather. Amusement parks and renting cabins growing it. are popular ways to spend your summer, but Help your child’s interests to grow: Find not everyone can afford them. Here are some out what interests your child and help themno-cost ways to spend your summer with the research it. If your child is into sports, you can whole family throughout the season: research their favorite team or print images Start a book club: Pick a spot in the backyard, off the net and start a scrapbook of their team. and lay down a blanket large enough to fi t the If your child is into crafts, you can research whole family. Have some cookies, lemonade craft projects on the net and fi nd some that are and whatever snacks you choose to have. Use no-cost and interest the child. Teenagers a book from the library and take turns reading may be more interested in playing a game of it out loud. You can even discuss some things basketball, baseball or visiting a zoo. that occur in the book. Consider making it a Movie night: Some libraries have movies you weekly event and invite your neighbors and can rent. Pick a night each week and watch friends to participate as well. a movie the whole family could enjoy. The Treasure hunt: Some kids are into anything children can take turns picking out what they to do with pirates. You could plan a treasure want to watch for that week. Have your bowl hunt with their help. Scour your backyard, of popcorn or whatever snack you choose, and local beach or park and fi nd things you could sit back with your family in your own “home put into a treasure chest. The kids could also Find family fun in your backyard! theater”. make some of their own items to place in the There are plenty of ways to spend some chest too. Spend some time searching for pirate Gardening: Make up a small garden or use fun time during the summer that doesn’t cost information on the internet and use what you a small portion of your existing garden. Let you money. Use your creativity, imagination, fi nd to make up your very own treasure map. each of your children have a row or small and get ideas from your children on what they Then bury the chest or hide it in the house and area to use to grow whatever they choose to. would like to do. Plan some of those activities let the kids try out the map they created. Each child is responsible for taking care of as a family and enjoy your summer.