With gas still sky high why not stick close to home this summer? Most areas have cheap things you can do without spending a fortune for gas and expensive meals out on a vacation away from home.
For example, why not turn your backyard into a summer theatre and let your kids put on weekly productions for the neighborhood?
Or, if your family is into fitness, head for the nearest bike path and spend an hour or two each day exploring on your bikes, or, better yet, dribbling basketballs to keep in shape. Set a "miles covered" goal and when the goal is reached, treat the family to ice cream cones or a backyard barbecue.
One of my family favorites is packing a lunch and heading for the nearest river for an afternoon of fishing fun. Don't forget to take a camera so you can show each kid proudly showing off his or her catch of the day. (Even if there is no catch, no one can deny that fishing is fun.)
Balloon Volleyball in the back yard is not only fun, but good exercise. Blow up some large balloons and challenge the kids to keep them in the air. When a balloon hits the ground, the last person touching it is fined one point. When a person gets more than 5 points, he or she is out of the game. The last person still in the game is the winner.
Have a neighborhood block party. This is really great if you have a park nearby, but it can also be a success in someone's large yard, or in a cul-de-sac or dead end street. Set up a few folding tables. Bring food, musical instruments, and board games. Plan a few active kid's games and you're set for a great time. You may decide to make it a once-a-month thing all summer long.
Those are just a few things you can do to liven up what might have looked like a pretty dull summer.
For dozens of other ideas in more detail, check out my Nook ebook, Cheap Summer Fun.
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