For the last few weeks I have trying to come up with things
for us to do that will not break the bank. I have been having a hard time trying to
figure out what the kids can do. I have
to admit part of it is that I want to take them to the water parks, the fairs
and other fun things summer is full of, and I cannot. The funny part is, the kids are happy to just
play at home. I don’t think they care as
much about what they are not doing as I do. They are more interested in video
games, watching TV and playing board games with us. Not that they are going to be doing a lot of
that! When I think about it they are
going to be having a summer more like the ones I had growing up. My family never did the things I have been
feeling bad about not doing with my kids.
So what if we can’t go out and do a bunch of stuff. Who said we had
to! (me, lol).
We have a recreation centre within walking distance. The
pool is open for a couple of hours every day to the public. We have our passes
already. Once I know the schedule I will know part of what we will try and do
each day. Swimming is a lot of fun and
it will help keep us cool.
Water Parks. We cannot afford to go to the local water park
this year. However there are some free mini water play areas at some of the
parks. The one up the street has a tinny section with water activities, more of
a water spot for babies and toddlers. Also
there are no bathroom facilities there. So that kind of takes that off the
plans for summer. There is a nice water play area at the biggest park in town.
It is one bus ride, and there are bathroom facilities there. Drawbacks, we have
to bus and that is $10 each time. Also the park is where all the big festivals
take place. We don’t want to take our kids there when a festival is on because
we just don’t have the money to go to a festival. We are not going to put our kids through that
if we can help it. So trips to the water play area are going to be few, if any.
Beach. We go every
year at least once, sometimes twice. We will save so we can go this year. Some
changes though, more packed lunch, less buy something there. The kids always
have a blast and want to spend all day at the beach. This has always been our big family summer
event, and we are going to make sure we can do it this year. It takes planning, and using a granny cart to
bring all our stuff on the bus but it will happen this year at least once.
Parks – we have a nice one just down the street, no bathroom
facilities though. I think we will be going to the park on nice days. We can
walk home to use the bathroom.
Playing in the back area. It used to be nice, than the
landlord took the play area out. Now we have an open area. The bigger kids are
using to play soccer, football and even baseball. They don’t let the little
kids have any space. So my kids will be going out when the teenagers are not
using the area. They have room to bike, run around and have fun.
We are going to be putting all our water play stuff in the
front yard this year. Why, because the teenagers have taken over the back area.
Also there is not a lot of shade in the back anymore, we don’t have a sun shade
this year. However we still have a wiggly worm, slip and slide and a little
wading pool the kids can sit in. Water
guns will be a big thing this year. They can play and water the grass at the
same time. I am sure we are going to be
going through a lot of chalk this year.
Also I think we are going to let the kids take out toys that were indoor
toys only last year. The more things
they can do and play with the better. They can enjoy playing with the kids
around here and their own toys instead of being at summer camp all day. They both like the fact that they are not
going to camp, even if it means they miss out on all the trips to the big water
parks and other fun things we cannot afford to do.
I guess the biggest thing I have learned is that my kids don’t
need to go to the parks, water parks, and other large expensive activities to
enjoy their summer. They just want the
freedom to run around and play.
