Family Skills: Summer Fun

Hold a water fight. Choose your arsenal from water balloons, water pistols, sponges, or even a garden hose. Suitable for areas where water is not terribly scarce ... though it does kind of water the lawn for you.

Visit your county or state fair. Entry tickets are usually cheap, and while the rides cost money, viewing the livestock and craft exhibits is free. Plus there is usually a swag barn full of political, safety, entertainment, and other displays where people give away stuff like pencils, magnets, and bags with their logo on it.

Attend a community theatre play. These usually present either classics (like A Midsummer Night's Dream) or weird modern stuff (like Cannibal Cheerleaders on Crack). Pick what you like. Tickets tend to be reasonable, but if you volunteer at the club to make sets or something like that, free attendance is a common perk.

Walk through a street fair or outdoor art festival. From middle to late summer, many towns have one or more festivals with some combination of vendors, live music, shows, etc. It usually costs nothing to walk through these, and bargains abound for the savvy shopper.

Visit a U-Pick berry patch or a fruit orchard. Some are single-crop establishments but many have multiple fruit types and cultivars so that something is ripe during much of the warm season. Go on a weekday for minimal crowding, or check weekend schedules for demonstrations, lectures, crafts, or other activities.

Shop at a farmer's market. By early summer, they will have an assortment of fruits and vegetables from local growers. Many also have people selling jewelry, handmade soap, or other crafts.

Have a picnic. This traditional and fun summer activity gets everyone out of the house to a nice park. It's cheaper than eating out and the food can be better. Pack things that don't need refrigeration or things that can be prepared onsite (parks often have charcoal grills available).

Invest in a family pass at the local swimming pool. These give good bang for your buck if you visit the pool frequently during its open season. Swimming is excellent exercise and a good survival skill. Pools customarily offer swimming lessons, sometimes free if you have a family pass.

Go hiking. County, state, and national parks have miles of trails for you to enjoy. Dress and pack appropriately; choose trails suited to your stamina. Name plants and animals as you encounter them -- bring along a pocket guide if you wish.

Visit a museum, exploratorium, or other place of learning. Some are specialized while others have many different types of exhibits. Check the bulletin board because they often have lectures, movies, or other entertainment at certain times.

Take pictures. Photography is a fun hobby and a good way to record memories in tangible form. Disposable film cameras are cheap, useful for kids who aren't ready for a regular camera yet. You can even get disposable underwater cameras!

Visit a zoo, wildlife park, butterfly house, or arboretum. Most have a modest admission price, but some are free. Gift shops will have fun and educational items. You may pick your own path or find a guided tour, depending on what the place offers. Discuss the importance of protecting nature.

Grow a garden. If you haven't already started one, that's okay; some vegetables and flowers can be planted almost any time. If you don't have room for a big garden in the ground, consider a container garden or windowbox. Seeds are cheap; plants can be cheap or expensive; but you can often get some from a friend for free.