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.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources
Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.
Invest in craft supplies
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.
Visit the local library
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.
Score free summer school meals
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.
Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt
Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.
National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1
How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.
Sign up for a city recreational sports leagues
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.
Check out local art or science classes
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.
Trending Stories
Visit online classes or educational websites
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.
Tour local parks
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.
Enjoy freebie days at zoos and museums
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.
Attend free concerts
Are there any free concerts near you? Grab a blanket and a few snacks for a fun, musical evening out.
Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account
Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2
With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!
This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.
Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.
Take a hike
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.
Check out the thrift store
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.
Enjoy local festivals and parades
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.
Go on a nature scavenger hunt
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.
Plant a garden
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
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.
Do some ice blocking
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
Paint and hide rocks
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.
Bottom line
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.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Subscribe Today
Want extra-cash moves to come right to you?
Stop browsing endlessly. Get proven ways to earn pocket money, help cover rent, and crush your debt — sent to your inbox daily.
Author Details