Can't Afford Summer Camp? Create Your Own.

Summer camp can be a great experience for kids, but - financially - it's not always feasible, especially for families getting by on one income. If that's the case for your family this summer, consider creating your own summer camp at home. Whether you're with your kids all-day-every-day, primarily in the evenings, or only once a week, these ideas will help you get started:

• Begin by making a list of topics your children are interested in exploring.


• Assign one topic, or theme, to each week in the summer.


• Look for ways to weave each week's theme into your everyday activities, such as cooking, playing, and reading.


• Plan some type of culminating activity, such as a "field trip," play, or concert.


• Be creative, and have fun!

And if planning isn't your thing, check out the resource Ten Weeks of Fun Summer Activities. It takes you through ten weeks of activities to share with your kids - such as going to the zoo, having a picnic, and visiting an amusement park. In addition, each week's theme includes recommended books to share with your kids, and a list of corresponding crafts and recipes. You can either read through the step-by-step article online, or opt to receive each week's activities and resources as a weekly E-mail.

More: Have you developed some do-it-yourself summer camp activities of your own? Share them when you participate in the All About Parenting Blog Carnival.

Related Resources for Single Parent Families:

• Single Parent Family Camps
• Basic Summer Schedule

If this post was helpful to you: