Monday Made It-July 1st

Holy Cow...is it really July?  Well, it's Monday & that means it's time to link up with Tara @ 4th Grade Frolics and Monday Made It.  

This week's Monday Made It is a Summer Fun Calendar for my kids. My kids are always like "I'm bored, I want to go somewhere!"  Summertime for me means I get a little raise because I don't have to pay for daycare for my youngest, so I don't want to spend a TON of money.  FREE is even better!

I spend a few days searching for inexpensive or FREE activities for the whole summer.

I usually start working on these calendars (using Publisher) in May, but I was super lazy busy and I just finished July's calendar.  I haven't even started August's calendar, but that's usually not much since I'll be at workshops and setting up my room.  Take a look...

Now, this does take quite a bit of time to research, but it's totally worth it.  And, after you do it once, it won't be so hard for the summers to come because you already know where to go to get the 411 in your town. 

Where do you find all these cool places? Here are some ideas...

1. Check out your local library!  My kids are enrolled in the summer reading program, so we go there to check out books.  Plus, they have Story Time & Free Movie Nights & Afternoons.

2. Do you have a Cinemark Theater in your town?  Well, Cinemark has a Summer Movie Club on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays @ 10am. The movies are only $1!  Click here to find your nearest theater!

3. Research the local Museums in your town.  We have lots of Museums in the Houston area and many of them have FREE days at certain times.  For example, the Children's Museum is FREE on Thursdays from 5-8 and the Museum of Natural Science is FREE on Thursdays from 3-6. 

4. Have you heard of Santikos Movie Theater?  They offer FREE movies on Tuesdays & Wednesdays @ 10am.  Sadly, I think these are only located in the GREAT state of Texas (Houston & San Antonio areas) Click here to check out their schedule! 

5. Do you have a Zoo in your hometown?  Check out your local Zoo for discounted days/times.  Unfortunately, The Houston Zoo no longer does FREE admission on Tuesdays during the summer...bummer!

6. How many of you like Bowling? Check out your local Bowling Alley.  Many of them have discounted days/times.

7. School Play Dates-One of the teacher's at my school organizes a weekly play date for all the teachers' kids.  This way we get to stay in touch over the summer while our kiddos play. Some teachers offer to have the play dates at their house because they have a pool or we meet at park or neighborhood splash pad.

8. Neighborhood Amenities- Some of you might live in some fancy shmancy neighborhoods that have TONS of amenities...massive playgrounds, multiple pools, multiple splash pads, ect... I'm not as fortunate to live in one of those neighborhoods, but mine isn't too shabby either.  If you have a friend who does have these amenities in their neighborhood, then hook up with them one day.

9. Local Parks-We have LOTS of parks in the Houston Area that have weekly events going on throughout the entire year, especially during the summer.  However, I usually like to stay close to home. Most of these parks will also have some type of splash pad too!

10. How long has it been since you've been roller skating?  Check out your local roller skating rink. Many of them have discounted days/times.

11. Do you have an Outdoor Theater in your town?  We are lucky enough to have Miller Outdoor Theater in Houston.  Some of their activities include children's plays during the day, Live Music, Broadway Shows and movies at night.  It's all FREE!  And, one of these outdoor theaters just opened down the street from my house.  I just found out they are showing FREE movies at night there too...SCORE!

12. VBS (Vacation Bible School)-check out the local churches in your area.  Also, be sure to check the age limits.  Most of these are available for kiddos ages 5-5th grade.  My littlest isn't 5 yet and I'd hate to drop one off & not the other.

13. Parents Day Out-check out your local gymnastics or dance studios to see if they are offering any type of "Parents Day Out" programs.  For a small fee, you can drop the kids off for a few hours of fun while you indulge in some retail therapy.  Hey-it's your summer vacation too!  We all need a little break!

14. Teacher Discounts-Do you belong to any type of Teacher Organization?  If so, chances are they offer teacher discounts to local attractions.  For example, mine offers teachers discounts to places like Splashtown, Six Flags (no more Astroworld for Houston...anyone remember that place?), Space Center, ect...

15. Snow Cones!!!  Who doesn't love snow cones?  Walk or ride your bike to your local snow cone stand (or drive...like me!)

16. Drive-in Movies-Do you have a local drive-in?  OMG- these are so much fun, especially when we lay down the seats in our Mini-Van and cuddle up.  We have a drive in theater not far from where we live called Showboat Drive-in.  For $6 you get to see TWO movies and they are all CURRENT!  It is a little HOT, but it is at night & we crank up the A/C between movies.

17. Farmer's Market-Check out your local farmer's market.  Have the kiddos help you make a list & give them some money to pay for the items (practice how to count money)

18. Go visit your local Fire Station-maybe bring the firefighters a little homemade (or store bought) treat!

19. Do you have a Blueberry or Blackberry farm near you?  Take the kiddos and go pick some berries!  ( I think blueberries & blackberries are the only berries in season during the summer) Most farms don't charge an entry fee, and you just pay for what you pick.

20. Feed the Ducks!  Do you have a little pond near your home or one at a neighborhood park?  Don't forget to bring along some bread to feed the ducks!  We have 2 small "lakes" in our neighborhood and sometimes there's a few ducks swimming.  



After you make your calender, print it out & stick it on the fridge!