Any parent knows that once school is out, the kids are itching for some fun outside of the classroom. For many, this means summer camps or family vacations, but if you are drowning in debt, the thought of shelling out all that extra dough just to keep the kids entertained may be a bit more daunting than you’d like. With that in mind, check out this list of wallet-friendly summer fun ideas to keep your little ones out of your hair and out of your wallet.

1. Go to the beach – pack a picnic lunch, grab some towels and some water toys and head out for a day in the sun. Just don’t forget the sunscreen.
2. Spend a day at the library – just because the kids are out of the classroom doesn’t mean they can’t read for pleasure. Head to the local library and get the kids signed up for a library card. Let them pick out their own book or spend some time on the computer.
3. Craft day – tie-dyed t-shirts, homemade play-dough, a kite they can fly in the backyard. Check out Pinterest for some great ideas that don’t require a lot of payout.
4. Berry picking and jam making – not only can you get them out of the house and out of doors, this can be a great way to get some preserving done for the coming months.
5. Gardening – head to the garden centre and let the kids pick out a plant or two, then head back home and set out a separate space in the garden that they can design all on their own.
6. Drive-in movies – check out the local drive-in theatre and get great bang for your buck. Take advantage of the outing and bring dinner and snacks with you to save on treats. Go for a walk around or spend some time at the park. And once they are tired out, take advantage of the peace and quiet and sit back and relax and enjoy the movie.
7. Camp out – set up a tent in the backyard, light a bonfire, and get the ghost stories ready. The close proximity to a private bathroom is just an added bonus!
8. Take a hike – fill your backpack with bug spray, a few bottles of water and some trail-mix and head to the local nature area. Keep kids’ minds going by creating a scavenger hunt so they can play along the way.
9. Set up a lemonade stand – not only will this motivate the kids to get out there, letting them make some money, but it teaches them about working and can help you teach them about finances.
10. Help out – contact local charities in your area and find out if you can help out. Spending the day at an animal shelter or at the community garden is a great way to teach kids about giving back and it doesn’t cost you anything more than your time.

Summer spending doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Get creative, and keep that money in your wallet!

If you feel like you are already drowning in debt, use these tips to keep the spending to a minimum. And if you feel like you need some help getting those debts under control, contact DebtCare today by calling 1-888-890-0888.