Cheap summer fun for the family

My kids know I'm cheap. I don't like to spend money on anything, but this can be difficult - and not fun - sometimes.

So how about a few ideas for cheap summer fun?

I'll share a few of mine - you share a few of yours. We all win.

1. Spend $5-10 on cheap and silly items from your local dollar store. I spend a total of $10 at our local Dollar Tree for water pistols, glow sticks, water baloons, popsicles to stick in the freezer, a jump rope, a couple of flinging fliers (Spiderman) and some of the snap pops (you know - those thingys you throw down on the ground for a popping sound for the 4th?). Add my kids, some water and a sunny day and it's cheap and entertaining fun.

2. For water fun - save squeezable condiment bottles, like ketchup, mustard, relish. Clean them out well and fill them with water. The kids will have tons of fun squirting each other - OUTSIDE - on a hot summer day. No spending money on chintzy water pistols that will break (and trust me, the bottles work so much better for a good dowsing!). Cheap and easy - the way I like it.

3. Visit your library! Most local libraries hold summer reading programs for kids that are lots of free fun. Find out what's available in your area. Encourage your kids to read during the summer. Check out books - lots of them. For movies, most libraries have videos and DVDs available for check out, free of charge. Choose a few fun, family movies and plan a movie night.

I'll be sharing more cheap summer fun ideas soon, but in the meantime - what are some of your faves?