Savvy Summer Savings: 17 Tips for Grandparent Caregiving

With the cost of daycare through the roof, many parents are turning to grandparents to help with child care while school is out for the summer.

If it’s been a while since you’ve had so much time with kids, don’t worry. We’ve compiled a list of 17 things to keep your summer days and wallet full at the same time. Check out these fun activities to keep the kids busy.

Paint, glue, pipe cleaners and googly eyes can be combined in infinite combinations to create beautiful artwork and fun craft projects. Pick up some versatile craft supplies on Amazon, at a craft store, or (if you’re lucky) at a thrift shop for endless hours of fun.

The library is one of the best hubs not only for entertaining books and media but also for community activities, storytime, crafts, games, and more. 

Some libraries even have movies and board games you can check out. Ask a librarian or check the website for a summer schedule.

Just because the teachers are gone doesn’t mean the cafeteria is done operating. Many districts offer meals at schools for free through USDA’s Summer Meals for Kids.

Does your city offer summer t-ball or soccer for kids? Practices and games are sure to keep them active and busy. Even if you don’t want to commit to an entire summer of sports, many rec centers offer sports camps that run for a week or two.

Rec centers, libraries, and schools offer summer camps and classes on everything from coding to theater to pottery. Most of these aren’t free, but some may offer need-based scholarships for those who qualify.

For rainy or hot days, keep the kids inside to work on an online class or learn something new from an educational website. 

Starfall, CoolMathGames, ABCYa, and PBS Kids will keep the kids practicing math and phonics so they don’t lose as much academic progress over the summer.

Whether it’s a nature preserve or a playground nearby, local parks represent hours of fun in the sun. Pack a picnic, a Frisbee, and some hand sanitizer, and you’re good to go.

Many zoos and museums have a few free days, making what might be a cost-prohibitive field trip doable. Arriving early or later in the day may help avoid the crowds. 

Also, if your grandchildren are on SNAP (food stamps), they can get free or reduced admission to 1,300 museums nationwide through the Museums for All program.

Are there any free concerts near you? Grab a blanket and a few snacks for a fun, musical evening out.

Hiking doesn’t require much equipment or planning. If you want to steer the kids (and yourself) to a less grueling trail, you can sift through the options near you on Alltrails.com or download the app.

Your local thrift shop will have toys, games, craft supplies, puzzles, and more for pennies on the dollar. Bring the kids and give each a few dollars to pick out something “new” to play with. 

Once they grow out of them, you can bring the items back to the thrift store for another child to love.

Many festivals and parades have free admission and offer fun experiences with local culture, history, and traditions your grandchildren might not experience elsewhere. And with any luck, they’ll get some free candy — always a win.

Print off a free bingo card or scavenger hunt list, then take to the woods to see how many cool rocks, animal tracks, and unusual flowers you can find. Bring a bird or plant ID book so you can study more about what you discover.

Bring nature to the kids by planting a garden in the backyard. Apart from planting day, kids can make labels for each plant or row, watch the specimens grow, and harvest the fruits of their labors at the end of the summer.

Turn on the sprinklers, slap on the sunscreen, and send the kids outside. Somehow, running through the sprinklers on a hot day never gets old. Want to up the ante? Stake down a large length of lawn plastic and let the kids slide over it.

This is like sledding only in reverse. Buy or make a large ice block, place a folded towel on top, and let the kids ride it down a hill. They’re bound to get their pants wet, but ice blocking is hours of cheap fun for your grandkids

Take a walk to find smooth rocks for painting and bring them home. Help the kids paint them, then bring them back into the wild to hide for someone else to discover and enjoy.

Keeping grandkids entertained for the summer doesn’t need to be expensive or difficult. 

By taking advantage of community resources, keeping a stock of cheap supplies, and scheduling cost-effective activities, you can make amazing memories with your grandchildren and avoid wasting your retirement savings.