By Rachael McMillan
Summer is one big party that you can’t refuse to attend, especially if you’ve got kids. You can, however, keep the cost of all that merriment more than reasonable.
Here are some tips for having summer fun on a budget in the C-U area. Got some more ideas? Add ‘em!
Take advantage of half-price deals
These half-price gift certificates are good for local restaurants and recreation, among other things. Some of the more popular deals (think Custard Cup) go fast, so you have to act when they go on sale—and I mean, the MINUTE they go on sale—in order to snap them up. There are restrictions attached to each offer, but for the most part they are user-friendly and an unbeatable bargain.
Half-Price Haven, CUSavings.com, Online Outlet
Go to the movies—super cheap
Savoy 16 shows $1 kids movies at 10:00 a.m. Monday-Friday every week until August 13th. The Beverly Cinemas is doing the same thing at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesdays, with $1 drink and popcorn specials as part of the deal. Both theaters feature a different movie each week. None of them are new releases, but chances are you can find a family favorite among the lineup.
Get wet for less
Hessel Park has a free water play area which features whimsical sprinkler-equipped fixtures. The water runs from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and 5:00-7:00 p.m. every day during the summer. Also, as Laura mentioned in Amy’s post about the kiddie area at Sholem Aquatic Center, kids 3 and under are admitted to Sholem free of charge. This is also true of Spalding Pool in Champaign. And, don’t forget the upcoming, FREE Chambanamoms.com Pool Party!
Do the zoo
Decatur’s Scovill Zoo is free on Thursdays. In my opinion, it’s also the perfect size for a zoo (don’t know about you, but 2.5 hours of animal watching is about all I’ve got in me, and that’s more than enough time to see the sights here). Or for SUPER free— as in minimal fuel costs—visit the Champaign Park District’s Children’s Prairie Farm or the Urbana Park District’s Anita Purves Nature Center.
Museums
Check out this link for a list of area museums. All of the museums listed are relatively cheap, and some are free always or on certain days. For example, Chanute Air Museum sponsors community days where visitors who live in a particular town/area get in for half price with proof of residency. Note, some museums that don’t charge an admission fee list a “suggested donation.” These are typically less than $3 per person, which seems like a bargain to me.
Check the Chanute Air Museum's website for information on half-price admission during its community day program. (Photo of Pima Air and Space Museum by SearchNetMedia on flickr)
…and more museums!
Buy a year family membership to the The Orpheum Children’s Science Museum (346 N. Neil St., Champaign). and get a whole lot more. The deal: for $125 your family can get free or reduced admission to many different children’s museums including the Children’s Discovery Museum in Normal, as well as other museums across the country. (Some restrictions apply. Be sure to read the fine print).
Kids golf free
At Stone Creek Golf Club, that is. The information about free golf for juniors (kids up to 17 years of age) appears at the bottom of the link. If golf is already a part of the family budget, why not take advantage of this great deal?
Raid chambanamoms.com for ideas
Our site maintains a calendar of family events, many of which are free or low cost, and a listing of local kids-eat-free deals. Also, check out this article for information about summer reading programs at area libraries. Some end in July, others end in August. There’s still plenty of time to take fun of these fun, beneficial—and, oh yes, FREE—programs!
A few more ideas…
I realize garage sales aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. However, if you enjoy (or even plain don’t mind) going, check them out for good, cheap, summer gear. Pick up fishing poles, camping supplies, baseball gloves, ice cream/sno-cone makers*, golf clubs, etc. for a fraction of store prices. Bonus: by not purchasing these items new, you are helping to reduce the amount of waste floating around in the world. This earns you a guilt-free ice cream cone.
*Never buy pre-made snow cone syrup; making it at home is cheap and super easy.
How are you staying within your budget this summer?
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Don’t forget kidsbowlfree.com You sign your your kids up and each week you get coupons for 2 free games per child per day. You can purchase a family pass for $25 (at $3.50 a game, you will get your money’s worth in 2 trips for 2 adults) for up to 4 adults but it is not required for the kids to participate. Shoe rental costs extra but it is cheap. For 2 adults and 2 kids to bowl 2 games, it costs $8. Not too expensive to kill 2 good hours any afternoon you want.
That is a great suggestion–thanks!!!