• Whether you’ve got time to kill on tailor made holidays or are just taking a weekend off, State parks offer families the opportunity to either get away for a day trip or even an extended weekend without spending a ton of money. Many parks offer picnic groves, lakes, beaches, playgrounds and other fun activities that can entertain the family for much less than a traditional vacation. Most parks do not need advance notice for a day trip, however reservations are recommended if you plan on staying overnight or for the weekend. Items to pack include food, drinks, sunscreen, bug spray, extra clothes and shoes as well as any camping gear if you are anticipating an extended stay.
• Drive in movies are making a come back. Hugely popular in the late 40′s and early 50′s many drive in theaters began to fall into disrepair when multi-theater indoor complexes became popular. Today the price of taking your family to the movies can be downright scary, especially when you add snacks and a beverage. This has caused a resurgence in the popularity of drive-in theaters which are far cheaper and allow you to bring your own food and drink. If you are looking for local drive-in that is still in operation check out DriveInMovie.com for more information.
• Local events. Check out community boards, or local websites for ideas of fun summer activities. Most communities have a free flier published once a month detailing events happening in the area. You may be surprised to find how much is going on relatively close to your home. Fun activities for kids and parents alike are often only a short drive from you home, making a day trip or outing inexpensive and easy to fit into a busy summer schedule.
• Family friendly amusement parks. Of course all amusement parks target families but some are more inclined to cater to families on a budget. Skip the big theme parks and find smaller parks that allow you to bring a picnic lunch or pay-per-ride versus everyone paying admission. These two alternatives can greatly reduce the price of going to an amusement park by allowing family members who do not ride the rides to enjoy the day out with the family without paying fifty dollars or more to get in the park. Eliminate the long lines and hugely inflated prices of park food and you’ll find yourself enjoying a fun day without breaking the bank.

These are just a few of the options available for families who want to make the most of the summer without going in debt in the process. Pack the car, grab the kids and head out to see what you can find fun to do this summer.

Summertime Fun On A Budget was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Camping is a great way to get away from it all, turn off the television, and have fun. It does not cost much money to rent a campsite and even if you have never gone before, supplies are quite reasonable. A family-sized tent can cost as low as $30. There is a large selection of tent sizes and styles available to suit any family’s budget. Sleeping bags are good to have but are not required. You can designate some old bed sheets and blankets to use in the tent instead. Bring enough to keep everyone warm. Roll them up and tie them with a piece of string or twine to aid in packing.

Food can be taken right from your pantry. Coolers are relatively inexpensive. You may want to have two coolers. A smaller one will be easier to cart on a hike or if you take a walk to the lake. To make things easier, cook some dishes beforehand and pack them in the cooler in airtight containers. Consider that you will have to reheat the food over an open fire unless you have a camp stove so only bring simple dishes that will reheat easily. Snack foods and drinks are especially important, especially if the weather is hot or you plan to do a lot of outdoor activities. Remember to bring plenty of extra storage bags that seal well to store the leftovers in the cooler. You may also want to bring an extra storage container to store any non-cooler foods otherwise the raccoons and chipmunks will be dining well at your expense. This is also very important if there are even larger animals in the area who have been known to raid campsites (ie:bears!)

Depending on the age of your children, consider what activities are available at each campground. A swimming pool, park, or schedule activities may be a good option to keep the kids entertained. More rustics campgrounds may offer fishing, boating, nature trails, or biking trails as the only activities. Bring along some things to keep kids amused but encourage everyone to try something new and have fun in the great outdoors.

Make a checklist before you leave and list them by categories such as health and beauty, food, clothing, eating utensils, and so on so you don’t forget anything. Camp stores prices will be comparable to convenience stores so it’s more cost-effective to bring what you need. Designate jobs to each family member. Even the littlest kids can help hunt firewood and everyone will feel they have participated. Enjoy a rare few days tuning in to the world around you and those you love. Whatever you do, don’t forget the most important thing – Marshmallows!

Pitch A Great Family Vacation was created by and is property of American Consumer News.