How to Save Money on Summer Activities $50 Gift Card Giveaway : (Ends 5/29)

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It’s a common theme for kids to go from super excited for summer to bored in a matter of minutes. When I was growing up, we didn’t dare mention that we were bored or were having trouble thinking of something to do. My parents always had plenty of ideas when that happened and most often it was chores! I was always on the go when I was younger – off exploring my neighborhood, playing hide and seek, catching lightening bugs. I’d spend hours at the pool and rollerskating. I spent a good amount of time reading too. Of course, boredom snuck in every once in awhile, I just kept that to myself. I try to make sure my kids have plenty of activities to choose from so they don’t get stuck in the boredom trap and there are fun, easy ways to save money while I do that.

How to Save Money on Summer Activities:

Buy a Membership – Water parks, pools, bowling alleys, sports complexes, even movie theaters often offer lower prices when you buy a season pass. Those savings can really add up over buying individual tickets or day passes. I know most amusement parks offer these as well.
DIY: If said water parks are only mentioned in a hushed tone because discount prices are still out of your budget, there are still plenty of ways to have fun with water. Hit up your local dollar store for water balloons, squirt guns, buckets, and bubbles. Break out the hose and set up a sprinkler for tons of water fun.
Check into Camps – Schools and local churches often have camps of various kinds from pottery and photography to robots or sports. They are often cheaper than camps through private institutions. Museums and community centers are also great places to look into camps.
DIY: Host your own “camp” each week at home by picking a theme such as Cooking or Arts and Crafts – stock up on dollar store supplies and create an activity and snack for each theme.
Head to the Library – This was a favorite place of mine to be. I could choose book after book to devour and I could check out videos too! Both are still fantastic options to keep boredom at bay during the summer. Find books to read together. Libraries often have workshops or book clubs, puppet shows, they even show movies!
Plan – This seems like such an easy tip, because it is. Take some time to plan activities to avoid the dangerous “impulsive spending” zone. Some people enjoy planning to the minute while others prefer a more loosely based approach, either is beneficial. Try planning themed days such as Water Wednesday or Treasure Hunting Thursday.

Ice Cream = Summer – For as long as I can remember, ice cream has always been a huge part of summer. While it’s always fun to hit up the local ice cream parlor, I prefer to enjoy mine at home where I can savor it – and get it on my shirt – without a crowd. When your kids are hot and need a break or a special treat, grabbing a cool, sweet treat from the freezer is a fantastic way to put a smile on their faces. Some of my favorites available from Winn-Dixie & BI-LO are: Ben & Jerry’s, Klondike, Fruttare, Good Humor, Popsicle and Magnum. Both stores are offering incredible deals to stock your freezer full. Popsicles are always a fun way to cool off. Fruttare offers flavors such as Strawberry and Milk, Peach and Milk or Orange and Lime. Ben & Jerry’s has long since been making fun flavors with cool names. Head over to Winn-Dixie or BI-LO for these savings:
- Buy 2 Popsicle, Good Humor and Fruttare for $6
- Buy 2 Klondike, Ben & Jerry’s and Magnum for $7
- Offer valid: 5/20 – 6/2 + 6/24 – 7/7 + 7/29 – 8/11

Find which stores and delicious ice cream treats are near you by using this Winn-Dixie or BI-LO Locator.

We are giving away one $50 Winn-Dixie or BI-LO gift card to one lucky winner. Please see official rules here: http://bit.ly/1AqToAa. Note to be eligible you must be a resident of AL, FL, GA, MS, who are eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of entry.

To enter reply (you must reply to this tweet) with your answer and include the hashtag #SummerUnbored

Reply w/ favorite flavor of ice cream using #SummerUnbored & enter to win $50 Gift Card rules: http://t.co/XLXIFBaGPS pic.twitter.com/0XxUQ2Plmc

— Colleen Shibley (@shibleysmiles) May 23, 2015