Comments on: Need your help: what are frugal activities for kids this summer? http://bargainbabe.com/2009/05/27/frugal-activities-for-kids-this-summer/ Save money with coupons, deals, and inspiration! Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:08:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Richie http://bargainbabe.com/2009/05/27/frugal-activities-for-kids-this-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-4687 Richie Sat, 06 Jun 2009 04:01:01 +0000 http://www.bargainbabe.com/?p=4738#comment-4687 More free tips for summer brain drain prevention are at this cool article: http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/study_skills/summer-daily-brainwork/ More free tips for summer brain drain prevention are at this cool article:
http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/study_skills/summer-daily-brainwork/

]]> By: bargainbabe http://bargainbabe.com/2009/05/27/frugal-activities-for-kids-this-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-4670 bargainbabe Fri, 05 Jun 2009 22:40:34 +0000 http://www.bargainbabe.com/?p=4738#comment-4670 Thanks for this tip, Lorie! Glad you could find an educational activity that is affordable. Thanks for this tip, Lorie! Glad you could find an educational activity that is affordable.

]]> By: Lorie Maloney http://bargainbabe.com/2009/05/27/frugal-activities-for-kids-this-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-4661 Lorie Maloney Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:08:35 +0000 http://www.bargainbabe.com/?p=4738#comment-4661 This summer is all about learning for us and getting ahead for next year. I found a VERY COOL e-learning site called http://www.BigIQkids.com that is offering a 3 month summer special for $29.99 that includes all their K-7 learning programs.
If you break it down, that’s about .30 cents per day which to me is a good deal.

My kids think it is the GREATEST and are so happy to be “online”. I can’t believe they’re having fun learning spelling words, vocabulary, math and US geography. Club Penguin good riddance!!

]]> By: Bargain Babe » Reader comment of the week http://bargainbabe.com/2009/05/27/frugal-activities-for-kids-this-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-4475 Bargain Babe » Reader comment of the week Fri, 29 May 2009 15:19:07 +0000 http://www.bargainbabe.com/?p=4738#comment-4475 [...] Frugal activities for kids this summer [...] [...] Frugal activities for kids this summer [...]

]]> By: Ellie http://bargainbabe.com/2009/05/27/frugal-activities-for-kids-this-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-4462 Ellie Thu, 28 May 2009 20:52:25 +0000 http://www.bargainbabe.com/?p=4738#comment-4462 There's wonderful park in Hollywood where I used to take my kids (moons ago!). It's on the north side of Los Feliz, not too far east of Western Ave. Can't recall the name of the park. There's a creek that runs through the park, which sometimes has crawdads and other creatures in it. There are picnic tables and benches, and it's shady, which is great on really hot days. We used to give the kids tiny bit of hot dogs attached to strings so they could troll the waters for some kind of "catch." They never caught anything, but were always ready to try, and loved playing in the park. You've received some really wonderful suggestions from other readers. Getting together with friends/neighbors to share the kid-tending, and planning activities, is a no-brainer. Check out the Madrid Theatre in Canoga Park for free programs. There’s wonderful park in Hollywood where I used to take my kids (moons ago!). It’s on the north side of Los Feliz, not too far east of Western Ave. Can’t recall the name of the park. There’s a creek that runs through the park, which sometimes has crawdads and other creatures in it. There are picnic tables and benches, and it’s shady, which is great on really hot days. We used to give the kids tiny bit of hot dogs attached to strings so they could troll the waters for some kind of “catch.” They never caught anything, but were always ready to try, and loved playing in the park.
You’ve received some really wonderful suggestions from other readers. Getting together with friends/neighbors to share the kid-tending, and planning activities, is a no-brainer. Check out the Madrid Theatre in Canoga Park for free programs.

]]> By: Wendy http://bargainbabe.com/2009/05/27/frugal-activities-for-kids-this-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-4433 Wendy Thu, 28 May 2009 04:28:53 +0000 http://www.bargainbabe.com/?p=4738#comment-4433 Los Angeles County Museum of Art offers free memberships to kids called NextGen. The California Science Center is always free, as is the Rose Garden in Exposition Park; there is a free public art exhibit there now called Cool Globes (www.coolglobes.com). The Ford Amphitheater has a summer program called Big World Fun (it's all dance this year) on Saturday mornings at 10:00 that's free for kids, adult tix are cheap and parking is $1 (www.fordamphitheater.org). The Pasadena Symphony has a free concert the 2nd Saturday morning of each month called Musical Circus. Farmers' markets all over the city have free entertainment. 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica often has street performers. Contact Metro Art Council for free docent tours of the art in the subway stations at www.metro.net. And check out Susan Peterson's book "Fun and Educational Places to Go With Kids" - find it at your local Auto Club office or at the library - lots of free and cheap activities. Los Angeles County Museum of Art offers free memberships to kids called NextGen. The California Science Center is always free, as is the Rose Garden in Exposition Park; there is a free public art exhibit there now called Cool Globes (www.coolglobes.com). The Ford Amphitheater has a summer program called Big World Fun (it’s all dance this year) on Saturday mornings at 10:00 that’s free for kids, adult tix are cheap and parking is $1 (www.fordamphitheater.org). The Pasadena Symphony has a free concert the 2nd Saturday morning of each month called Musical Circus. Farmers’ markets all over the city have free entertainment. 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica often has street performers. Contact Metro Art Council for free docent tours of the art in the subway stations at http://www.metro.net. And check out Susan Peterson’s book “Fun and Educational Places to Go With Kids” – find it at your local Auto Club office or at the library – lots of free and cheap activities.

]]> By: Andrea http://bargainbabe.com/2009/05/27/frugal-activities-for-kids-this-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-4430 Andrea Thu, 28 May 2009 02:46:26 +0000 http://www.bargainbabe.com/?p=4738#comment-4430 I have a 4-year-old boy. We just downloaded a list of all the local farms that have fruit picking open to the public. We're going cherry picking this week. Pick out a recipe that's in-season; go the farmer's market and let him choose the produce; go home and bake/cook it. Make home movies of us or him and his friends being goofy and watch them together, unedited, straight from the video cam. Scavenger hunts while hiking on nature trails that work up a sweat. I make an illustrated list of things to find: a rock this shape; a leaf this shape; something this color; etc. We bring a small backpack for his finds. Educational computer games on PBSkids.org. Art projects from the Big Messy Art Book by MaryAnn Kohl. I have a 4-year-old boy. We just downloaded a list of all the local farms that have fruit picking open to the public. We’re going cherry picking this week.

Pick out a recipe that’s in-season; go the farmer’s market and let him choose the produce; go home and bake/cook it.

Make home movies of us or him and his friends being goofy and watch them together, unedited, straight from the video cam.

Scavenger hunts while hiking on nature trails that work up a sweat. I make an illustrated list of things to find: a rock this shape; a leaf this shape; something this color; etc. We bring a small backpack for his finds.

Educational computer games on PBSkids.org.

Art projects from the Big Messy Art Book by MaryAnn Kohl.

]]> By: bargainbabe http://bargainbabe.com/2009/05/27/frugal-activities-for-kids-this-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-4420 bargainbabe Wed, 27 May 2009 23:42:28 +0000 http://www.bargainbabe.com/?p=4738#comment-4420 Conejo Joe (my Twitter pal) says: Here's a list of 250+ events in Ventura County and surrounding areas http://www.conejovalleyguide.com/welcome/hundreds-of-free-free-free-or-nearly-free-summer-concerts-mo.html Thanks, Joe! Conejo Joe (my Twitter pal) says:

Here’s a list of 250+ events in Ventura County and surrounding areas http://www.conejovalleyguide.com/welcome/hundreds-of-free-free-free-or-nearly-free-summer-concerts-mo.html

Thanks, Joe!

]]> By: Beth @ Smart Family Tips http://bargainbabe.com/2009/05/27/frugal-activities-for-kids-this-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-4419 Beth @ Smart Family Tips Wed, 27 May 2009 23:39:08 +0000 http://www.bargainbabe.com/?p=4738#comment-4419 We have picnics in the backyard, or on the living room floor if the weather is gross. Plant something -- my kids love working in our small garden. Pick up trash around your neighborhood. We have picnics in the backyard, or on the living room floor if the weather is gross.

Plant something — my kids love working in our small garden.

Pick up trash around your neighborhood.

]]> By: Robin http://bargainbabe.com/2009/05/27/frugal-activities-for-kids-this-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-4418 Robin Wed, 27 May 2009 23:36:56 +0000 http://www.bargainbabe.com/?p=4738#comment-4418 Lots of towns have free concerts in the park and some are child oriented. Here is one in Pasadena: http://www.levittpavilionpasadena.org/summer-calendar/?el_mcal_month=6&el_mcal_year=2009 I think Hollywood Bowl has them too-they are free. Check out museums-most have a free day each month- Huntington Botanical Gardens & Library, The Arboretum, Norton Simon Museum. Take a train ride to Olvera St. Lots of towns have free concerts in the park and some are child oriented. Here is one in Pasadena:
http://www.levittpavilionpasadena.org/summer-calendar/?el_mcal_month=6&el_mcal_year=2009

I think Hollywood Bowl has them too-they are free.

Check out museums-most have a free day each month- Huntington Botanical Gardens & Library, The Arboretum, Norton Simon Museum.

Take a train ride to Olvera St.

]]> By: tracy http://bargainbabe.com/2009/05/27/frugal-activities-for-kids-this-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-4415 tracy Wed, 27 May 2009 22:58:05 +0000 http://www.bargainbabe.com/?p=4738#comment-4415 well if in ca i say travel town in griffic park its free you can picnic and jump on the train and take pic and talk about where you would go and you can take a train ride for 2 dollares a person or go to the beach cost gas and parking take a lunch and go make a sand castle hunt sea shells my kids love it and then use them to make picture frames of the trip a sea creature you can turn it into a day out and fun to make things to rember it well if in ca i say travel town in griffic park its free you can picnic and jump on the train and take pic and talk about where you would go and you can take a train ride for 2 dollares a person or go to the beach cost gas and parking take a lunch and go make a sand castle hunt sea shells my kids love it and then use them to make picture frames of the trip a sea creature you can turn it into a day out and fun to make things to rember it

]]> By: kat http://bargainbabe.com/2009/05/27/frugal-activities-for-kids-this-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-4408 kat Wed, 27 May 2009 20:22:29 +0000 http://www.bargainbabe.com/?p=4738#comment-4408 http://www.cityofalhambra.org/government/parks_recreation/ParksRec_Calendar.html http://www.cityofalhambra.org/government/parks_recreation/ParksRec_Calendar.html

]]> By: kat http://bargainbabe.com/2009/05/27/frugal-activities-for-kids-this-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-4407 kat Wed, 27 May 2009 20:20:00 +0000 http://www.bargainbabe.com/?p=4738#comment-4407 certain cities offers free lunch and snacks every weekday for about 2 months while kids are out of school. arts and crafts on certain days and on those other days there are board games to play with! check with your city! www.cityofalhambra.org certain cities offers free lunch and snacks every weekday for about 2 months while kids are out of school. arts and crafts on certain days and on those other days there are board games to play with!

check with your city!

http://www.cityofalhambra.org

]]> By: bargainbabe http://bargainbabe.com/2009/05/27/frugal-activities-for-kids-this-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-4405 bargainbabe Wed, 27 May 2009 19:39:24 +0000 http://www.bargainbabe.com/?p=4738#comment-4405 Great suggestions Tamara, thanks much! Great suggestions Tamara, thanks much!

]]> By: Tamara http://bargainbabe.com/2009/05/27/frugal-activities-for-kids-this-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-4399 Tamara Wed, 27 May 2009 19:13:33 +0000 http://www.bargainbabe.com/?p=4738#comment-4399 - go to the local paddling pool or spray park - take a walk - have lunch at the bbq pits in the park - create theme days where neighbourhood kids do some research on a specific activity, nationality, holiday or any other theme, then have them make costumes, and serve food appropriate to the theme - tie dye something. die can be bought for a couple of dollars, and elastic bands can be found at the dollar store, but the t-shirts, or pillow cases that are made are super fun, and great to look at - go to the library for story time, or free weekday movies - volunteer - try letterboxing (if your kids are old enough, and will be respectful of the rules) http://www.atlasquest.com/ - go to the local paddling pool or spray park

– take a walk

- have lunch at the bbq pits in the park

- create theme days where neighbourhood kids do some research on a specific activity, nationality, holiday or any other theme, then have them make costumes, and serve food appropriate to the theme

- tie dye something. die can be bought for a couple of dollars, and elastic bands can be found at the dollar store, but the t-shirts, or pillow cases that are made are super fun, and great to look at

- go to the library for story time, or free weekday movies

- volunteer

- try letterboxing (if your kids are old enough, and will be respectful of the rules) http://www.atlasquest.com/

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