Many activities for families on summer break can easily threaten to break set monthly budgets. For this reason, it is very important to keep in mind both free and inexpensive ways to have fun together.
The best places to find the games and activities for under $10 is at a toy store or garage sale. There, parents can find kid-size golf and bowling sets, and many other games that can make for the better part of a family's time together.
Golf Teaches Adding, and Can be Great Exercise
While teaching the children how to play a round of golf around the house or neighborhood with sandbox traps and hose-induced water hazards, there is no reason that one of the kids can't also keep score.
Having an elementary-aged child tally up the 3, 6, or 9 hole course can keep him or her sharp in the relatively complex math involved with adding an ongoing sum, making a day at the links educational.
While the mental gymnastics are going on, everyone is out on a great day getting a moderate amount of exercise. For some, it could a tremendous amount.
A Bowling Alley in the Backyard
Bowling is a fun family game where older and younger players can compete on an even field.
Most stores that offer children's sets have 6 pins and a very lightweight plastic ball. All that is left to do is mow a lane of grass 10-20 feet long, and let the game begin.
As with the golf, the kids can keep score; high scores can be celebrated, and in the end, everyone wins, because everyone has a good time together.
Going to the Local Pool
A family of four in the average community can go to their local pool for under $10.
Swimming and jumping off the diving board is a great way for kids to stay in shape and have a good time. With a lunch packed and an adequate amount of sunscreen, they should swim themselves into an early bedtime, and that, especially for busy parents who do not get enough time alone together, can be priceless.
The best part about all of these activities is the dividends they pay later on. Children who grow up playing sports for fun are more likely to be active when they are older, leading to better health and a higher sense of self esteem. Additionally, for the families that purchase the golf or bowling sets and use them repeatedly, the price per use becomes reduced every time the games are played.
So, while a daily pool pass will add up with each use, the price for every game of golf played will be pro-rated, meaning that if the set cost $5 and was played five times, then the cost of use is $1/game, only to be reduced with every game played thereon after, making the set virtually free after a while. So long as the set is in good shape, it can be used year after year.
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