Search Results for: blog affordable ways to keep kids busy this summer

Back-to-School Celebrations

Are back-to-school parties more for the parents or the kids? After all, I don’t know many children who joyfully celebrate the end of summer and their subsequent freedom to stay up late, sleep in, and hang out at the pool, park or beach all day. Still, the long Labor Day weekend begets partying whether your child is in the mood or not. Whether you choose to host a back-to-school theme or a more subdued late-summer event, consider taking advantage of the ability to celebrate outdoors as Old Man Winter will be here before you know it. Back-to-school shindigs don’t have … Continue reading →

Cheap and Creative

Tis the season for super savings on school staples. With the summer coming to a rapid end, just about every discount retailer known to man is offering spectacular sales on back-to-school items, from spiral notebooks for a penny to double-pack Sharpies for a mere 25 cents. In most cases, the deepest discounts are reserved for generic items. If you are on a budget, then you’re probably not worried about getting a notebook covered with cute animated characters or the latest and greatest teen heartthrob. However, your kid might. Fortunately, with a little creativity, you and your child can turn boring … Continue reading →

Potpourri of Cheap Summer Fun

Are you running out of affordable ways to keep your kids busy during the last days of summer vacation? August is quickly coming to an end, but for some families, money for summer fun ran out a long time ago. Now is the perfect time to use up any supplies you might have leftover from early summer projects or parties. For example, if you have any extra water balloons in your home fill them up and place them in the freezer for a few hours or overnight. When your kids start singing the “I’m bored” blues, cut away the balloon … Continue reading →

Cheap Ways to Liven Up a Locker

School lockers can be downright dreadful. Not only are they typically painted in a revolting shade of puke green, institutional gray or dingy yellow, but you also have to deal with exterior and interior cracks, dents and marks. To help cure the ugly locker blues while operating on a tight student budget, consider crafting the following affordable items: Decorative Magnets: Nothing helps liven up the interior of a locker easier and faster than a bunch of bedazzled magnets. The simple embellishments can help keep things in place, such as notes, photos, and homework assignments. What’s more, you can make almost … Continue reading →

Summer Bonding

Who says you have to fork over thousands of dollars or travel hundreds of miles to strengthen the parent/child bond? During the summer months, many moms and dads feel obligated to spend an exorbitant amount of money on fancy vacations in an effort to build a better relationship with their children. However, child psychologists say the best gift you can give your child while he or she is out of school is good old fashion time. Instead of handing over a wad of cash to your kid and letting him run amuck at the mall while you get some chores … Continue reading →

Ways to Savor Summer Nights

While some parents are busy belting out “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” I am desperately trying to squeeze as much outdoor fun into what’s left of my daughter’s summer break. Classes resume next week and neither one of us is ready to say so long to the season. My family spends a ton of time outside during the summer months, and this year has been no exception, despite the record-breaking heat. Now that the new school year is about to start, we are trying to get in as many outdoor adventures as possible. Since I telecommute, I … Continue reading →

Ice is Nice

Nothing beats the sizzling summer heat better than your favorite beverage on ice. Ice is cheap, easy to make and extremely versatile. In fact, as a parent, ice can be one of your best friends. Not only can it help cool off your sweaty son, reduce the swelling on an injured ankle, and lessen the sting of a bug bite, with a little creativity ice cubes can also be an affordable boredom buster for kids. An inexpensive and easy way to add spice to an ordinary paint project is to place it on ice. Painting with ice; what kid wouldn’t … Continue reading →

The Magic of Mail

My daughter loves getting mail. Not email, snail mail. She’s seven years old and doesn’t own a Smartphone, computer or any other digital device which allows her to email her BFFs to LOL about her WAHM. She does it via longhand, instead. While I dread the short walk from the front door to the mailbox for fear of what other bill may be waiting for me there, my kid counts down to the mail carrier’s visit each day. We’re old school here at Casa Cheplic and the United States Postal Service loves us for it. Why? Two words: Pen Pal. … Continue reading →

Mother Nature’s Free Fun

Viewing this weekend’s Perseid meteor shower may have been one of the most thrilling moments of the summer. And the best part: I didn’t have to fork over a single penny for the opportunity. Rather, my family got to witness a sky set ablaze with so many shooting stars we lost count of them all. Free family fun. It doesn’t get better than that. According to AAA, the price of gas has increased 34 cents since July 1st. It’s no wonder why parents are counting their pennies and looking for affordable ways to entertain their kids. And by affordable, I … Continue reading →

Affordable Fun with Foam

My young daughter is a huge fan of Funny Color Foam; however, at more than two bucks a can, the bath time novelty can really add up. To save money, but still allow my daughter to create fun foam masterpieces in the tub, I’ve taken to making my own colored fluff. I simply spray super cheap generic shaving cream (less than 99 cents per can) into plastic zip-top bags. Next, I add a few drops of food coloring to the bag and give my daughter the “job” of mixing the two together. This activity is a fabulous hands-on lesson in … Continue reading →