Get Out and Play!

School’s out. The kids are home. The economy has left a lot of people with fewer dollars in their pockets so more children are home this season unlike other summers when they headed off to camp. If you are looking for inexpensive yet fun things to do with your kids, think outside the box. Head to a local farm and pick your own produce – your youngsters will learn where their food comes from while spending a day getting down and dirty. Take the troop to see a second-run movie at your local theater. Play in the sprinkler. Have an evening picnic in your backyard. Bake a homemade chocolate cake. Camp out under the stars on your deck. Create a scavenger hunt of sorts complete with a treasure map and clues. Then, let your kid dig for buried treasure with a box filled with some simple toys like: nutty putty, light up yoyos, 2 inch juggle balls in a bag, bubbles, 3 inch silver sparkle spring, puzzle magic cube, magic answer ball, and flyers. And once that treasure trove is found, have a seat on the grass and blow bubbles together or ask teach each other how to juggle. The economy might be poor, but you will soon discover how very rich you truly are.