Inexpensive Ways to Entertain Your Children This Summer
They spent nine solid months looking forward to summer vacation, and now that it's finally here, your kids intend to make the most of it. After suffering through a relentlessly brutal winter and a school year rife with overcrowded classrooms, cringe-inducing cafeteria food and mounds of homework, there's no question that your little ones have earned a nice long break from their studies. Having spent nearly half a year trapped indoors, your youngsters are chomping at the bit to get out of the house and have some first-rate summer fun.
Unfortunately, your summer entertainment budget is a bit tight. Throughout the punishingly cold winter, you wound up spending a sizable sum on heating costs and heavy clothing. No matter how hard you try to explain the situation to your children, they're simply too young to grasp the concept of money problems. Luckily, there are a number of ways you can keep your kids entertained throughout the summer without breaking the bank. Cash-strapped parents who want to show their little ones a good time this summer are urged to consider the following options.
Amusement Park Season Passes
It's no secret that amusement park admission is exorbitantly expensive. With day passes to many parks costing upwards of $100, it's no wonder amusement park attendance has declined in recent years. However, by purchasing season passes for your family, you'll be able to visit your favorite amusement park or water park as many times as you wish for one flat fee. On average, a season pass will cost less than three day passes, so if your family makes regular trips to a certain park, the passes will eventually pay for themselves. The initial price for a family supply of season passes may leave you with a bit of sticker shock, but in the long run, this purchase will save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
Movie Matinees
If there's one thing summertime is synonymous with, it's must-see films. Summer is when Hollywood brings out the big guns and releases entertaining blockbusters one after another. Unfortunately, taking the family to the local multiplex stands to empty out your wallet. With weekend and evening ticket prices reaching upwards of $12 in certain parts of the country, a trip to the cinema is becoming a luxury for many families.
Don't abandon your local movie theater just yet. Unbeknownst to many moviegoers, most cinemas offer dramatically reduced ticket prices for weekday afternoon and early evening shows. In many cases, matinee tickets cost slightly more than half the price of tickets for evening and weekend shows. So if there's a movie your little ones are dying to see, make a point of taking them during matinee hours.
Public Pools
In light of the sweltering heat waves that have characterized the last few American summers, swimming pools are becoming a hot commodity. Even people who hail from colder parts of the country are scrambling to install in-ground pools before the hot weather sets in. However, spending between $20,000 and $40,000 on something you can only use for three months out of the year is an unwise financial decision - no matter how well off you happen to be. Whenever your kids need relief from the relentless summertime heat, simply pay a visit to the nearest public swimming pool. For a nominal fee, your youngsters will be able to swim to their hearts' content and get a tremendous workout in the process.
As any parent can tell you, modern-day children have expensive tastes. By exercising a little bit of frugality and financial shrewdness, you'll be able to give your kids the summer fun they crave for a fraction of what you'd usually pay.
Unfortunately, your summer entertainment budget is a bit tight. Throughout the punishingly cold winter, you wound up spending a sizable sum on heating costs and heavy clothing. No matter how hard you try to explain the situation to your children, they're simply too young to grasp the concept of money problems. Luckily, there are a number of ways you can keep your kids entertained throughout the summer without breaking the bank. Cash-strapped parents who want to show their little ones a good time this summer are urged to consider the following options.
Amusement Park Season Passes
It's no secret that amusement park admission is exorbitantly expensive. With day passes to many parks costing upwards of $100, it's no wonder amusement park attendance has declined in recent years. However, by purchasing season passes for your family, you'll be able to visit your favorite amusement park or water park as many times as you wish for one flat fee. On average, a season pass will cost less than three day passes, so if your family makes regular trips to a certain park, the passes will eventually pay for themselves. The initial price for a family supply of season passes may leave you with a bit of sticker shock, but in the long run, this purchase will save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
Movie Matinees
If there's one thing summertime is synonymous with, it's must-see films. Summer is when Hollywood brings out the big guns and releases entertaining blockbusters one after another. Unfortunately, taking the family to the local multiplex stands to empty out your wallet. With weekend and evening ticket prices reaching upwards of $12 in certain parts of the country, a trip to the cinema is becoming a luxury for many families.
Don't abandon your local movie theater just yet. Unbeknownst to many moviegoers, most cinemas offer dramatically reduced ticket prices for weekday afternoon and early evening shows. In many cases, matinee tickets cost slightly more than half the price of tickets for evening and weekend shows. So if there's a movie your little ones are dying to see, make a point of taking them during matinee hours.
Public Pools
In light of the sweltering heat waves that have characterized the last few American summers, swimming pools are becoming a hot commodity. Even people who hail from colder parts of the country are scrambling to install in-ground pools before the hot weather sets in. However, spending between $20,000 and $40,000 on something you can only use for three months out of the year is an unwise financial decision - no matter how well off you happen to be. Whenever your kids need relief from the relentless summertime heat, simply pay a visit to the nearest public swimming pool. For a nominal fee, your youngsters will be able to swim to their hearts' content and get a tremendous workout in the process.
As any parent can tell you, modern-day children have expensive tastes. By exercising a little bit of frugality and financial shrewdness, you'll be able to give your kids the summer fun they crave for a fraction of what you'd usually pay.
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