Summer is upon us and what better way to kick off the season than with an electronics makeover for your home! Whether it’s a new TV, a kitchen redesign, or laptop for school, tell us what you’d do with $1,000 at Best Buy and you could win it!
Red, white, and blue, BBQs, parades, fireworks. Every 4th of July celebration comes with some variation of these classics, yet not all holiday celebrations are created equal. We polled our community to see what tips and tricks they recommend for having the best Fourth of July experience this year.
4th of July Preparation
Consider being an ‘includer.’
Holidays can be lonely for those who don’t have family nearby and/or who have a small social circle. Invite someone to your party or get-together who may be sitting at home alone. Extending kindness and hospitality goes a long way. – Kristen E.
Have a plan
BE SAFE! Don’t drink and drive! – Charlene D.
Leave your dogs at home or inside when fireworks are present. More dogs are lost on the 4th than any other holiday because of the loud noises that come with fireworks. – Melissa B.
Sunscreen, sunscreen, SUNSCREEN! – Paola S.
Keep everyone entertained during the Parade
Bring beach balls! Bring the water bottles that can mist you. Pack summer snacks like watermelon! Pack something comfortable to sit on. Make t-shirts as a family or be sure to wear red, white, and blue! – Lindsay M.
Midday Activities
Keep it Cool
Get a kids plastic pool…fill it with ice and water…throw your drinks in there….gets and keeps them ice cold for hours! (Add ice as needed) – Brittany T.
Go Floating
Here in Texas it is HOT hot!!!! 4th of July means finding water to cool off in – so floating the river is a big deal!!! You need ice cold adult beverages, tubes/floats, a floating cooler and something to play tunes that is waterproof and you are set for a grand day of celebrating! – Katelyn N.
Go Get Some Kicks
Do some shopping at the outlet mall. Get some kicks while there. – Jeffrey P.
Fireworks
Don’t burn down your house.
Only shoot bottle rockets outside once your front door is actually closed. – Melissa B.
Sparkler Safety
Punch a small hole in the bottom of a solo cup to create a hand-shield for little ones who might be a little nervous about holding a sparkler for the first time. They can put their hand inside the cup, pop the sparkler stick through the hole and little fingers will be safe from burns. – Melissa B.
Let someone else handle the Fireworks
We are very lucky to live close to a Six Flags. My kids enjoy spending the evening riding rides. Then when it is time for fireworks we stop and enjoy the awesome show. Then ride a few more rides and then head home. – Ruth H.
4th of July Dessert Options:
Get creative with your S’mores Recipe
Use chocolate chip cookies as the “bread” for an epic s’mores on the grill once the meal is over. Spread the flat side of a chocolate chip cookie with peanut butter then fill with marshmallows and chocolate squares. Wrap individually in foil. When you’re ready for dessert, toss them on the grill and get ready for a fantastic twist on a classic summer dessert. Bring enough for everyone! – Melissa B.
Personalized S’mores
Get some mini flower pots, fill it with charcoal and get some skewers. Each child will have their own pots to make s’mores. – Molly R.
Make a Sparkler Cake
Me and my kids usually bake a cake and we put Sparklers on each of the four corners and light them up. So my tip is, bake the cake, put Sparklers on the 4 corners and light them up!! However, before you cut into the cake, make sure the Sparklers are fully out. Enjoy your cake –Molly R.
Don’t forget the real reason we got the day off:
Remember what you’re really celebrating – our independence, a very important historical holiday – Kyle J.
Have your own 4th of July tips and traditions? Share them with us on twitter @Shopkick
With summer in full swing, it’s hard not to think of fun cocktails, drinks around a bonfire, barbecues with friends, and lazy summer afternoons. But let’s face it: these kinds of days can be expensive and time-consuming to prep for. So I’ve decided to lend you a hand and make your lazy summer days even lazier, more fun than ever, and cheaper too!
Here’s a list of five super simple and quick drink recipes that all contain six or fewer ingredients and take under 20 minutes to prep for. Oh, did I mention you can grab everything you need for them at your local Wal-Mart?
But before I tell you what these amazing summer drinks are, I must disclose… I lied a little. There’s really 10 drink recipes since I’ve adapted every alcoholic recipe to be kid-friendly, too. So pick your favorites and head over to your closest store to stock up, your summer will thank you.
Is there anything more summery than some fresh strawberries? The strawberry flavor is subtle and perfect for those who like their drinks on the not-too-sweet side.
Makes: approximately 2 cups
Total time: 20 minutes
Strawberry syrup
1 cup of sliced strawberries
½ cup of sugar
¼ cup of water
Kid-friendly
⅓ cup of strawberry syrup
1 ⅓ cup of lemonade
Adult version
(Instead of the above)
⅓ cup of strawberry syrup
⅔ cup of whiskey
⅔ cup of lemon juice
How to make it
For syrup: Combine strawberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan over low heat and bring to a light simmer. Stir the syrup mixture occasionally until strawberries have softened and all of the sugar is dissolved (approximately 15 minutes). Once the sugar is dissolved, strain syrup into a container and save the strawberries for garnish (optional).
For drinks: Combine all ingredients for your chosen drink variation in a pitcher and serve immediately over ice. Use leftover strawberries as garnish (optional).
Not in the mood for strawberries? No problem, you can substitute the strawberries for blackberries, raspberries, or blueberries. If you’re looking for an even fresher twist on this summery drink, add a little bit of muddled mint or basil.
Want an easy set it and forget it drink for party prepping or lazy summer days? This drink could not be more perfect for you! It takes only 15 minutes to make a batch large enough for a cookout. But a word of warning: you might want to make an extra just for yourself. I won’t tell.
Makes: approximately 6 ½ cups
Total time: 15 minutes (prep) 8 hours (freezing time)
Kid-friendly
½ cup of tea
2 cups of orange juice
3 cups lemonade
½ cup of sugar
Adult version
(Add to the above)
1 cup of bourbon
How to make it
This drink could not be easier to make! Simply brew some tea and dissolve the sugar in while it’s hot, combine all the ingredients for your chosen drink variation, throw the mix in a Ziploc bag or freezer-safe container, and store in your freezer until you’re ready for a refreshing and delicious slushie.
This super simple drink recipe is refreshing and involves less than 5 minutes prep time so you can get on with your lazy summer afternoons faster than ever before.
Makes: approximately 4 – 5 cups
Total time: 5 minutes
Kid-friendly
5 cups of seedless watermelon
2 tablespoons of sugar
Ice
Juice of one lime (optional)
Adult version
(Add to the above)
1 cup of vodka
How to make it
Combine all ingredients in a blender, blend until smooth, and enjoy immediately.
Bonus: want a frozen watermelon slush? Pour the mix into a Ziploc bag or freezer-safe container and pop it in the freezer for a bit.
The crisp, dry flavor of ginger ale is complimented by the sweet, tangy flavor of fresh peaches, giving this drink a refreshing and sweet twist. Plus it’s super quick, easy to make, and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next gathering!
Makes: approximately 4 – 5 cups
Time: 15 minutes
Kid-friendly
3 cups ginger ale
½ cup peach nectar
2 thinly sliced peaches
1 tablespoon of grated ginger
Adult version
(Add to the above)
One cup of whiskey
How to make it
No blending required, just combine all ingredients in a pitcher, serve over ice, and you’re ready to go enjoy your summer.
Like Moscow Mules? Swap of the whiskey for some vodka to give this drink an extra kick.
If you’re not a huge fan of bourbon on the rocks, this drink may make bourbon more approachable for you. The sweet, fruity flavor of the cherries combined with the mellow flavor of vanilla tames the taste of the bourbon for a smoother and sweeter drink that’s perfect for lounging in the yard on a hot day.
Makes: one drink
Time: 5 minutes
Kid-friendly
½ cup of pitted cherries
¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract
3 teaspoons of fine sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
¼ cup of club soda
Adult version
(Add to the above)
One shot of bourbon
How to make it
In a glass, combine all ingredients of your chosen drink variation, and muddle cherries until the cherry juices are released. If you don’t have a muddler you can grab a wooden spoon, and that should do the trick just fine. Add ice and serve immediately.
Wait! One more thing!
Before you hit your local Wal-Mart to grab supplies, don’t forget to share this article with your friends so they can vote on which drinks to serve at your next gathering and download Shopkick so you can earn free gift cards while you shop.
There are over 87,000 possible drink combinations at Starbucks. Although not all of these combinations would be palatable, some off-the-menu concoctions are quite tasty! Be warned though — knowing how to order from the Starbucks secret menu may make you change your go-to iced Caramel Macchiato or Frappuccino order! It never hurts to change things up, right?
What’s on the Secret Menu Anyway?
image credit: starbuckssecretmenu.net
You may be wondering how you managed to go this long without knowing there was a secret Starbucks menu. Alas, being in-the-know has its perks. Some of the stars of the secret menu include; Banana Split Frappuccino, Pink Drink, Purple Drink, Cotton Candy Frappuccino, Grasshopper Frappuccino, Raspberry Caramel Macchiato, Red Velvet Frappuccino, and so much more! These delicious drink combinations love to fly under the radar. They are not on the standard Starbucks menu, but you can place a custom “secret menu” order if you know how to order the right way.
How to Order from The Starbucks Secret Menu
Maybe you are itching to try the Starbucks Pink Drink. Think sweet strawberry acai flavors with delicious side notes of passion fruit combined with acai, coconut milk and strawberries. But, before you start your order with a quick wink, know that not all baristas at Starbucks will know what you want when you say, “give me an Iced Venti Pink Drink”. To ensure you get the right beverage, start your transaction off by mentioning that you want a “custom order” then order your drink starting with the base recipe. In the case of the Pink Drink you would order as follows:
Starbuck’s Pink Drink Order:
Select your Size
Order a Strawberry Acai Refreshers®
Replace the water with Coconut Milk
image credit: vix.com
Seem too complicated to remember all the Starbucks secret menu drinks? There are several apps that can help you with how to order all the secret menu drinks.
Now that you’re in on the secret, share it like a #MomBoss!
Disney may be the happiest place on Earth for you and your loved ones, but your bank account might not feel the same way. According to Hipmunk, in 2016 the cost of a Disneyland trip would cost a family of four an average of $1,624 in airfare, $2,128 to stay four nights in a Disneyland Resort Hotel, and $1,010 for park admission tickets for four days. Don’t forget to add in the costs of souvenirs, dining, and other must-have experiences!
The good news is that with a little faith, trust, and creative planning, you can take advantage of several money-saving tips when it comes to planning a Disneyland trip. Here are a few we recommend:
Take advantage of points programs
Booking flights and hotel rooms are often one of the most expensive parts of a Disneyland trip, but with all the mileage and points programs out there, you can significantly cut back on these costs.
Signing up for a travel credit card like Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard or Capital One Venture One will allow you to rack up travel points with every dollar you spend on the card. Richmond Savers even figured out a formula for using these types of credit cards to take your family to Disneyland for nearly free.
Use your kicks
Shopkick user Courtney Cole discovered a really smart way to use her kicks to earn some extra spending money for her family’s upcoming Disneyland trip. “My daughter is three-and-a-half and we promised her a Disneyland trip as an incentive for potty training. Because I’m in Target all the time, I started using the Shopkick app a lot more and used my kicks to buy Target gift cards, which I then used that to buy Disney gift cards. I would go to Target, check in, scan everything I could and get those kicks.”
During her family’s Disneyland trip, Courtney used her gift cards to buy things that might normally be over budget. “I knew I was going to spend money on meals, toys, and a princess makeover,” Courtney explains, “But because I used my kicks to buy the gift cards, I didn’t have to feel bad about it.”
Due to the success of this trip and her ability to accumulate so many kicks with only a few months prep, Courtney and her family have another Disneyland trip in the works. “I plan on making more of an effort and saving up my kicks to do the trip next year. That’ll give us a whole year worth of kicks to use in the parks.”
BYOFD (Bring your own food and drink)
image credit: bentolunch.net
Food and drinks in the park can cost a pretty penny, but sometimes you just need to splurge on a Dole Pineapple Whip or indulge in Chef Mickey’s Character Dining experience. The key is finding a balance. Before you leave, plan out which meals, snacks, or drinks you most want to splurge on in the park. Bring everything else with you.
According to the Disneyland website, guests can bring coolers that are 18”x25”x37” and store them in the rentable lockers by the Disneyland Park main entrance. You can also bring in hydration backpacks, which are great for storing water and any souvenirs your little ones might pick up throughout the day. Just remember you can’t bring any alcohol with you into the park.
Snag discounted admissions tickets
Are you a member of AAA? Do you plan on taking a youth group of 10 or more kids to the park? Are you or your spouse in the military? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be able to take advantage of special Disneyland park admissions prices.
If not, don’t worry. There are other ways to snag discounted admission tickets, but it can be tricky and risky to do so online so proceed with caution. The key is finding a reputable discount ticket source. MouseSavers (a website dedicated to helping you save money when it comes to all things Disney) recommends using aRes Travel for discounted tickets.
Go during the off season
Last year, Disney rolled out demand pricing for park admission. On certain high-demand days, the ticket prices increase, while days with less traffic are less expensive. These off-peak times are usually after the holidays—January and February are ideal—and from the end of August until mid-to-late October.
When it comes to the resorts, Disney offers three “seasons”. Around January, February, and the first three weeks of October, November, and December is the Value Season. If you manage to time it right, Value Season is the least expensive and least crowded time to book at the resorts.
Do you have a money-saving tip when it comes to trips to Disneyland? Share with us @Shopkick on Twitter #ShopkickBlog
It’s summertime, and you know what that means – it’s time to break out the barbecue! Whether you are a seasoned expert when it comes to seasoning, or a novice grill-master in the making, we’ve got some tricks and tips to help you cook up the perfect smoky meal for your friends and family.
Grilling Preparation:
Plan Barbecue Cleanup Now
To make cleaning a breeze, line the inside bottom of the cooker with a few sheets of aluminum foil. This means a quicker cleanup of used coals and ash when you are finished barbecuing.
Don’t Confuse your Tools
Beyond your grill, there are two must-have tools: two types of BBQ tongs – one with insulated handles and one set with grips. Use the insulated set to handle and turn coals, and the one with grips to turn and handle food. Make sure these two tools are easy for you to visibly identify (that way the food grease won’t cause the coals to flare up, and your meal won’t get ashy).
Gas vs. Charcoal
Although there are a number of ways to cook ‘cue, (charcoal, wood chips, split logs…) a purely gas grill is not the best way to go. That’s because the smoke produced by burning wood is an ingredient in itself. Without smoke, you’re heating your meat but missing out on flavor. If you use gas, think about adding smoking chips the next time you hit the grill.
Safety First
To handle any flare-ups, keep a spray bottle full of water nearby.
Ready to Grill:
Grease Up The Grill
Before you add anything to the BBQ, make sure to grease the grill. Not only will it help the food cook, it will prevent residue from adhering to the grill and stop your food from getting stuck. This means you’ll hold on to the charred flavor that makes barbecue so tasty. To grease the grill, you can use garlic-marinated oil to add a touch of flavor to the food.
Cook Slow and Low
The perfect barbecue meal takes time and patience when in doubt aim for a lower temperature and a longer grill time. Once you’ve decided on a set temperature and time try not to check on the meat more than every half an hour.
Have a Secret Ingredient
As your meat cooks, spray it with a squirt bottle full of apple juice. This adds an extra kick to the flavor and keeps the meat moist.
Don’t Play with Your Food
Piercing your meat with a fork will cause the juices to escape, making the meat less flavorful and drier. Instead, use tongs or a spatula to flip or move your food.
Serving your Barbecue
Serving Grilled Meat
When you remove your meat from the grill, allow it to sit for a couple of minutes. That way the juices will seal and the meat will be prevented from drying out. In fact, you should refrain from cutting until you are ready to serve and eat immediately.
Get Creative with Sauces
You can flavor it with booze, by adding bourbon, beer, wine or rum to your standard sauce, branch out with new sauces you haven’t tried like jerk sauce, teriyaki or hot sauce, or add in lemon juice, red peppers or chopped onions for an extra kick.
To master the art of barbecue, you need an adventurous spirit and a good deal of trial and error. Use these tips and hacks to experiment, and you’ll be an expert in no time.
For years, I tried to get my children interested in money management and saving their money for things they wanted. Mommy can’t always foot the bill for extravagant desires like those fidget spinners and the entire Major League Soccerball collection. Not too long ago I saw an article on social media about a young man who had invested in his favorite sneaker company with the help of his mother. The experience spurred his interest in further investment and he owned several stocks by the time the article was written.
Leverage what Your Kids are Interested in
That article got my wheels turning. My 15-year-old son loves video games, soccer, and his phone and my 13-year-old daughter loves books, electronics, music, and plays soccer as well. With a small allowance budget for each of them to utilize, I tasked them with researching the cost of shares in companies that relate to their hobbies. My son looked into Sony, T-Mobile, and Apple while my daughter opted for Amazon, Samsung, and Barnes and Noble. Based on their research, they determined how much a share was and how many shares they needed to buy in order to reach their goals. The best part of all of it was that investing in stocks gave them the chance for their money to actually grow — if they could exercise patience and did their research well.
Using Shares to Pay For Their Wish List Items
I was totally shocked with how committed they were to this project — I believe it was the fact that they’d be making money off things they interact with daily. My son loves the fact that he can sell shares at any time if he wants to buy the newest video game or some costly new shoes. He wears a size 12 by the way. Size 12’s are NOT cheap! And on my daughter’s wish list when she’s ready to cash in a few shares? A rabbit and a guitar. What a combination!
Starting Early in Money Management
The sooner you educate your children on the benefits of investing and saving, the better. Start them young and they’ll develop good habits that will shape their spending and saving as adults — I sure wish I had received more education on investing and saving when I was my kids’ age!
How to Set Up a Stock Exchange Account for Your Kids
To get started you should do some more research on investing to determine which account option is right for you and your children. Talk to your bank or a local credit union, investigate online trading websites and stock brokers — some of them may have low fee plans for minors. If you have a 401K or IRA plan, see if they have a way to involve your kids. Find out whether the shares will be in your name (and will need to be transferred when your kids turn 18), and how the fees and taxes will work. With a proper plan and education, your kids will be on their way to buying you your dream car in no time!
When family and friends gather in the kitchen, there are bound to be plenty of laughs and great dishes. Sometimes, though, the party could use some “oomph” and that’s where playing fun cooking games can be your secret weapon. Start planning your next get-together with a cooking theme and play one of these fun kitchen games.
Mystery Ingredient Challenge
We’re all familiar with popular cooking television shows, so imagine bringing those shows to life in your own home! Invite a few friends over for a themed night surrounding a mystery ingredient. A few days before the party assign each guest to create either an appetizer, main course, or dessert featuring the mystery ingredient. You could also focus on just one dish (like the dessert) and have everyone create their own unique and fun version.
Cooking Show Charades
Another great idea to combine cooking with a traditional group game is Cooking Show Charades. This will work best if you are familiar with popular cooking shows, but the options should be some kind of TV personality or show styles like a southern chef, homemaker, cake decorator or grill master.
Try it with specific ingredients or dishes if you’re brave! You’ll have to decide if talking is allowed, but acting out your charades pick while your dinner guests try to guess who or what you are is a recipe for a good time. Get into it and have fun!
Cooking Bingo
A great game to play with kids in the kitchen is Cooking Bingo! You’ll need to create a few bingo boards ahead of time with squares consisting of common ingredients, utensils, cooking methods, and phrases like “preheat the oven.” As you make dinner, you’ll go about your business and talk your way through the recipe while the kids keep their eyes and ears open so they can mark their bingo squares — and maybe learn a little! Laminate the bingo cards and have them use stickers, small candies, etc as markers. The first one to yell “Bingo” gets a prize – maybe the dessert of their choice!
Play Dough Chef
This one is for the younger crowd, the ones who are a bit impatient while you prep and prep — keep them busy creating their OWN dish. This works great for pizza night – supply some extra pizza dough and let them play with the stretchy, sturdy dough, making shapes, sculptures, and animals. Throw in a few cookie cutters, and they’ll be fully entertained ”cooking” alongside you. While you focus on the main course, they’ll be safe from the hot oven, sharp knives, and other kitchen hazards.
The best part is that you’ll be able to bake their finished creations, and they’ll be able to eat them! Supply some dipping sauces and turn their entertainment into a perfect pre-dinner snack to tide them over. Heck, you might even find this a hit with older kids and young adults!
Entertaining your dinner guests does not have to be expensive or elaborate by any means. By simply being creative in the kitchen and using one of these fun cooking games, you can create memories and delicious meals anytime!
Adulting is hard. Saving money, eating healthy, planning school lunches, even shopping can feel painfully repetitive. HOWEVER, we’ve created a list of 6 fun apps to help you look forward to those mundane tasks.
Running – Zombies, Run!
image credit: Zombies, Run
For many, running is a necessary evil that allows you to indulge in a cupcake (or six — don’t judge!) without having to splurge for bigger jeans every other month. Instead of simply tolerating your daily run, look forward to it with an app called Zombies, Run! Instead of listening to your playlist again, you’ll run to the narration of a zombie apocalypse unfolding. If a zombie is on your tail, you’ll have to pick up your pace in order to escape. The app can be used whether you’re a blacktop warrior or prefer the treadmill, and you can track and share your progress. The story is engaging, and you’ll end up earning that cupcake as well as polishing your skills just in case of a real zombie attack! (Zombies, Run!, free trial version or $3.99/month, available for Apple and Android devices)
Eating Healthy – My Fitness Pal
If you’re trying to eat healthy but the thought of kale causes a spontaneous eye roll and/or gag reflex, the My Fitness Pal app can help you stay on the straight and narrow path paved with carrots and 8-ounce portions of lean meat! While it might be a stretch to say this app makes eating right fun, it does make it easier, and it’s pretty rewarding when the app gives you a thumbs up for making healthy choices or provides a gentle reminder that, perhaps, the double cheeseburger wasn’t the best decision. A paid version is available, but the free version of My Fitness Pal has what you’ll need to get started. Enter your age, weight, and basic fitness goals, and the app tells you how many calories a day you’re allowed. If you exercise, the calories you burn are added to the calories you can consume. Weekly weigh-ins help you track your progress, and you can share your workouts and weight loss milestones with your friends. (My Fitness Pal, free or $9.99/month or $49.99/year premium version, available for Apple and Android devices)
Planning School Lunches – LaLa Lunchbox
If you have a picky eater in your home, planning meals for them is probably one of the most frustrating tasks on your to-do list. With the help of a friendly looking monster, LaLa Lunchbox involves the finicky family members in the meal planning process by letting them choose the foods they want. When picky eaters get a vote, they are less likely to rebel against what’s in their lunchbox. Don’t worry about their selections being all chicken nuggets and cheese sticks. You set the choices, and then they make their picks from various parent-approved food groups. You can even create a grocery list to make it super simple to do the school lunch shopping for the week! (LaLa Lunchbox, free, available for Apple devices and on iTunes for Mac and PC)
Budgeting and Saving Money – Prosper Daily
Sometimes all it takes is a little competition to knock you out of your complacency and get serious about responsible budgeting and saving! In this case, the competition is against yourself, but it’s still motivating enough to make a difference in how you handle money. The app, formerly called BillGuard, lets you track all your accounts in one place, provides a free credit score, and lets you see exactly where your money is going. Plus, you’ll compete against last month’s budget to see if you can do better this time around! (Prosper Daily, free, available for Apple and Android devices)
Cleaning the House – BrightNest
If only there was an app that would clean your house for you. In lieu of that invention, BrightNest has fun tools to help you set goals for your home and then follow through with them. You can schedule tasks, get reminders, and even browse a massive collection of articles about how to keep your home clean and organized. Plus, it looks pretty. That’s always a plus. (BrightNest, free, available for iPhone)
Getting Up for Work – Alarmy
Perhaps “fun” isn’t the best way to describe the functionality of this app, but it will help you with one of the most difficult tasks of the workweek: getting out of bed in the morning. It’s hard to resist the urge to hit the snooze button 10 or 11 times, but if this app is part of your morning routine, you’ll have no such option! Instead, Alarmy forces you to wake up by refusing to turn off until you get out of bed to take a picture of some item in your house, complete a math problem, or perform some other task. At least the name is cute. (Alarmy, free, available for Apple and Android devices)
In the mood for downloading apps?
Check us out too while you’re at it! Not everyone views shopping as a chore, but whether you love strolling the aisles of Target or you’re a run-in and run-out kind of shopper, the Shopkick app adds rewards to your everyday shopping experiences. As you’re out and about, check the app to see which participating stores are nearby. Click on each store’s offerings in app to see how to earn kicks (our point system). In some stores, you can earn kicks for just stepping inside! Other ways to earn kicks include scanning items listed in the app, inviting friends to join, and linking your Visa or MasterCard to get kicks for what you buy. All those kicks you collect can be redeemed for gift cards to places like CVS, Target, Sephora, Starbucks, and more! (Shopkick, free, available for Apple and Android devices)
Ahhh, summer. You’ve been waiting for it to roll around since it ended last year. The sun is shining and everyone seems to be in a better mood — but two dreaded words from your kids can switch that mood faster than you can say summer vacation.
“I’m bored.”
What do you do to battle that summer boredom? Since every day can’t be a trip to the zoo, it’s important to find other summer activities that won’t cost you a penny. Sound good? It’s time to get on board the free summer activity train!
Park it at the Park.
Parks are a great place to spend the day with the kids. From swings to slides to sandboxes, you won’t hear “I’m bored” until you get home!
Pack a lunch and some snacks and make a day of it. Don’t forget the sunscreen! If you frequent the same park often enough chances are you and your kids will also make new friends. It’s a win-win!
Make a Splash.
Splash pads and local beaches are a great way to keep busy for free. You may hit a speed bump when it comes to parking. But, you can usually side-step any parking fees by parking on side streets and walking a bit. Get your exercise and beach time in all at once.
Sea Shell Art.
While you’re at the beach have the kids pick up some sea shells. They’re free!
Bring them home and make pictures by gluing them to cardboard, or decorate old picture frames. This is a boredom buster that can linger throughout the summer.
Take a Hike.
Hikes are a great way to get outdoors and exercise during the summer.
Find a local trail that’s not too difficult for the kids. Bring along plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen and you’re ready to take a hike.
Don’t Pass up Free.
Check your local library for free passes to museums and other attractions. Benefactors sometimes donate free passes that you can borrow throughout the summer. It’s a great way to turn a $100 trip into a free one in just a matter of minutes!
Free Summer Jammin’.
Many local communities hold free concerts throughout the summer.
Do some digging at your local Department of Parks and Recreation to see what’s planned. Pack a picnic and make it a night of family fun for free!
Visit a Farm.
Kids and animals go together like peas and carrots. Check out local farms in your area.
See what animals are around. Many times you’re allowed to bring along food for feeding.
It’s Library Time.
Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean the learning and reading stop.
Check out your local library for books as well as free events. Many libraries host craft events and free movie viewings. Read a book for free and get involved with activities that are available in your area.
Take the Time to Volunteer.
Got some free time on your hands? Want to teach your kids valuable lessons while keeping them busy? Volunteering is a great way to do this. Summer is the perfect time to take part in beach and park clean-up days. Keep your eyes and ears open for events near you.
Got some free time on your hands? Want to teach your kids valuable lessons while keeping them busy? Volunteering is a great way to do this. Summer is the perfect time to take part in beach and park clean-up days. Keep your eyes and ears open for events near you.
Free Workshops.
Stores like Lowe’s hold free build and grow workshops on Saturdays. These events teach kids the skills to make so many projects. Hammer out boredom during these workshops! Be sure to sign up in advance. While you’re there, earn your kicks with our Shopkick app!
Who said summer fun had to break the bank? There are plenty of free activities for kids that will leave you wondering what took you so long to find them!
Pack a lunch and some snacks and make a day of it. Don’t forget the sunscreen! If you frequent the same park often enough chances are you and your kids will also make new friends. It’s a win-win!
Bring them home and make pictures by gluing them to cardboard, or decorate old picture frames. This is a boredom buster that can linger throughout the summer.
Do some digging at your local Department of Parks and Recreation to see what’s planned. Pack a picnic and make it a night of family fun for free!
See what animals are around. Many times you’re allowed to bring along food for feeding.
Check out your local library for books as well as free events. Many libraries host craft events and free movie viewings. Read a book for free and get involved with activities that are available in your area.