You are looking at a masterpiece. I wish I could take credit for this, but this is my friend Lisa’s wonderful idea, which she so graciously shared with us during our MOMS Club Cinco de Mayo Fiesta. Lisa is a mom of four boys, three of whom are triplets. Ahem. Triplet BOYS, people! With that kind of energy in the household, organization is not optional, it is required. She keeps a Family Activity Binder, and get this — she has one for every season! It is jammed-packed with calendars, flyers for free local events, brochures for local inexpensive attractions, and ideas for local day trips and other activities. When the family is faced with a rainy day, or she starts to hear, “Mom, I’m bored….”, Lisa goes to the binder and looks up all the local activities going on that day. It’s a serious sanity-saver, and since it’s full of free or inexpensive activities, it won’t break the family budget, either!
- Free Movies — Regal Cinemas, AMC, and several other theaters offer Family Film Festivals featuring free or very low-cost admission to movies during the summer months. Days and times may vary, so check with your local movie theater.
- Free Building Workshops — Lowe’s and The Home Depot offer terrific free workshops for kids. The kids each get a kid-sized apron, and a great project to make and take home with them.
- Free Craft Workshops — Michael’s features lots of free craft workshops for kids. Check your local store for days and times.
- Free Story Time — Pottery Barn Kids, Barnes & Noble, and your local public library may offer free story time for kids. Check your local stores for event times and dates.
- Kids Bowl Free — Find out if your local bowling alley participates in the Kids Bowl Free program during summer months. This is great for those rainy days!
- Local Zoos or Aquariums — Local zoos and aquariums may offer special events for kids, or have discounted admission on certain days. Pick up a calendar of events for more information.
- Local Museums & Science Centers — Another educational experience, local museums and science centers may offer discounted admission after a certain time of day, or have days when admission is free.
- Local Community Center — Many local community centers feature free classes, movies, concerts, or other summer events. Be sure to check with your local community center to see what they offer.
- Vacation Bible School — Check with your local churches, and you may find some that offer Vacation Bible School for free.
- Summer Camp Brochures — You could also include any brochures for local summer camps your child may be interested in. Many times you can get a discount by registering early!
I love this idea!! Would actuall like to see more photos of the different tabs of her binder…I’m a binder/paper nut!!! Thanks for the bowling tip…my kids will love that!!!
It is a brilliant idea. I am definitely going to put one of these together because I can see the potential for it’s usefulness! We are lucky enough to have a dozen free museums in our town and I have a leaflet listing the opening times stuck on our kitchen cupboard door so that can go in the binder first. Thanks for sharing Lisa’s masterpiece 🙂
I’ve already started my summer binder! I have the blank calendars printed out, and I’m ready to go!
@ Carla — I think participating bowling alleys have 2 free games for kids every day all summer long, so it is definitely worth checking out!
@ sunnymama — A dozen free museums!! How fabulous! I’m sure you’ll find lots of free events once you start collecting them all and putting them together in one place. 🙂 Sunny Boy is sure to have a fun summer!!
@ Jenny Henny — I need to get crackin’! The calendars are a good first step. I can’t wait to compare notes with you on this one!
I agree Valerie… that is BRILLANT! I have a ‘stuff to do’ section in my household notebook, but it isn’t organized very well and so I don’t look at it very often. I will be adding that section in.
Val
FANTASTIC! I love it. Just this morning (in the shower – where we all do our best thinking) I started to wonder just how I was going to keep all 3 kids happy this summer.
I have been doing childcare for the past 3 years, and our days had to happen at home because of allthe kids here. No going out unless it was a night or weekend (and that’s not when most of these activities happen).
I am so happy to be staying home with JUST my own kids this summer – happy to be a SAHM again. But I was sort of freaking out about how to keep everyone entertained all day.
I think I need to start a binder today!
@ Val in the Rose Garden — I had something similar, but this takes the “what to do” section of the household notebook to a whole other level! I’m putting mine together this afternoon, and Emily is thrilled to help out with it. I bet your kiddos will enjoy putting one together with you!
@ aprilfoolwed — You will really enjoy the freedom this summer, and having something like this can be a real help. I don’t know how I made it through the summers before! 🙂
Great idea! I’m always looking for good ideas to keep my kids busy in the summer.
Thanks for sharing this! I have all this information….scattered around in all sorts of places. The binder idea is perfect!
That is a great idea.
Thanks for sharing with Friday Showcase!!!
Thats a great idea! I tried to keep a binder, but I’m just not organized enough, so I end up having to re-look-up the information on the internet every single week! For the record, GoCityKids.com is a great website that has a calendar with all of the kid-friendly events going on in the metro area of each city on a daily basis.
Love this and I have a serious binder addiction going — looks like I’m going to have to start a new one. I actually told my hubby he could get me some more binders for mother’s day!! LOL : )
Wow! Simply wonderful. I wish you lived close by so we could meet. It sounds like your Moms Club is perfect. I have yet to fond a group of moms to get together with. Most people get together during the week, so when you are a working mom… well, not as many options.
Have a happy mothers day.
I love your ideas!!! to keep me busy with kids. yeah I would love to see all your tabs ideas.. thanks for ideas! wow!
If you have Bank of America check this out:
http://museums.bankofamerica.com/
On the first weekend of the month you can go to certain museums for free with your debit card.
Marie-Anne
This is an awesome idea!! Thanks for sharing with us!
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