Creative Ideas for Summer Fun

Summer is almost upon us and if you are anything like me, you are looking for fun, creative, and inexpensive things to do with your children. I am no expert, but here are a few ideas for enjoying the warm days ahead.

• Check out your local Parks & Rec Department for free or nearly free programs for your children. Our town offers Open Art and Open Gym once per week at $1.00 per session, Picnic with Professionals once per week at a local park for free (police officers, fire fighters, SPCA reps), all sorts of sports programs for an average cost of $3.00 per week, art programs, nature programs, preschool cooking, gymnastics, and so much more!
• If you have museums nearby, visit their websites to learn about children's programs over the summer. We have 5 different museums in town here and each one is offering some type of summer fun day for preschoolers. Most are free!
• One of my favorites is visiting a farmer's market - the sites, smells, and tastes are always a hit with little ones. This season is wonderful for picking your own fresh fruit. We have strawberry, blueberry, and blackberry fields nearby and will be visiting them all soon.
• Spend some time on Google looking for a mom's bulletin board in your local area. This one for Raleigh was started last year and is a great resource.
• Libraries!!! Oh my goodness - did you know that libraries have so much more than books now?

One thing I am going to be working on this summer is taking a step back from what I think should get done every day. I could very easily spend most days puttering around the house, cleaning, organizing, and cooking. Well ... that's not possible with an active almost 4 year old at home all summer. I am going to constantly remind myself that meals must be easy, baking will be kept to a minimum, and that the house cleaning can wait. After all - if we're out and about every day, the house shouldn't get dirty anyway!

Most of all - ENJOY your time with your children this summer!