Now that summer is here, kids will want to eat all summer long. It’s true, it appears once summer break hits they turn into bottomless pits that can never be filled. The good news is you do have some frugal options when it comes to snacking. Look below at these 15 frugal summer snack ideas for kids so you can fill the kiddos up for less. You might be surprised at how far you can stretch your grocery budget even when an assortment of summer snacks is on the menu! 1. Fruit kabobs. Give kids wood skewers and cut fruit (use what it is in season as it will cost less!) so they can make their own yummy and healthy fruit kabobs. 2. Make your own freezer pops. Buy refillable freezer pop trays and fill them with fruit juice or powdered drink mix for a cool summer treat. 3. Make your own fruit chips. Dehydrate or bake fruit slices into fruit chips. These are perfect for snacking and a great way to use up produce before it goes bad! 4. Try making trail mix. Buy inexpensive nuts, … [Read more...]
8 Ways To Save Money On Summer Activities For Kids
While the arrival of summer brings excitement, you might also be seeing dollar signs. It is no secret that beating summer boredom can also mean racking up the bills, but the truth is there are ways to save money while still having fun! Look at these 8 ways to save money on summer activities, so you can still have all the fun you want without going broke. 1. Check Groupon and Living Social daily. Since deals on these websites are always changing, it is always worth checking them out! Look for attraction tickets, movie deals, gift card deals, and other offers from summer fun spots. This way, you can enjoy the activities you love for less. 2. Call your local parks department. Chances are your local parks department is offering all sorts of summer camps and activities for kids. Since these programs are often funded on tax dollars, this means the cost passed onto you is minimal. Call your local parks department for a schedule of summer events and be in the know! 3. Head to the … [Read more...]
Honey Lime Rainbow Fruit Salad
It might seem like the summer weather is far away when you take into consideration all of the rain that we have been having here in New York City lately. Maybe it is my wishful thinking longing for some sun and fun outdoors but I am really looking forward to cookouts and family get-togethers this summer. Since my brother and father work in the produce business, I always have access to fresh fruits during the spring and summer. There is nothing better than enjoying fruit salad with your loved ones when the weather is warm. Honey Lime Rainbow Fruit Salad is one of our favorite recipes because, not only is it incredibly easy to make, but it is delicious too! It's also an extremely versatile recipe because you can substitute any of the fruits for those that you prefer or that are more pleasing to your palate. Not to mention any that you need to exclude due to any existing food allergies that you may have. So have fun with it and serve it at your next outdoor event this summer! … [Read more...]
The Ultimate Beach Trip Packing List
Is your family beach bound soon? If so, you want to make sure you are well prepared! Packing for the beach can be tricky, because you might be in such a hurry to get out and go that you forget some essentials. To make sure you are well prepared for your next trip of sun and sand, look below at the ultimate beach trip packing list. This list will help you arrive to the beach well stocked and well prepared for anything you are likely to encounter! 1. Mini first aid kit. Cuts, scratches, and other minor injuries can occur when at the beach. Save yourself a trip to the life guard stand or searching for a band aid when you bring your own mini first aid kit. It is an easy way to deal with minor injuries fast. 2. Inflatables. Don’t forget water wings or vests for kids as well as any inflatables adults may wish to use. Carry an air pump in your trunk so you can easily inflate your items without having to blow them up by mouth. 3. Baby wipes or wet wipes. Hands can get dirty at the … [Read more...]
Piggie Grahams Recipe
We are two days from the end of the school year and the beginning of summer vacation here in New York City and I'm so excited! Our family joined a pool club this summer and we will be going there almost every day so I have been trying to come up with easy snack ideas that we could take with us that the kids could enjoy. What's summer without some sweet treats to let the kids indulge in? Piggie Grahams are so easy to make and my boys love to eat them. I like that they don't take up a lot of my time to make and that they are so adorable! The only bad part is that I end up eating some of them as I am packing them in the picnic basket and the boys are always asking where all the extra Piggie Grahams went. I always plead the fifth so, if I don't tell and you don't tell, there is nothing to worry about. Ingredients - white frosting, any brand pink gel food coloring graham cracker squares Wilton pink … [Read more...]
Cool Off This Summer With Homemade Ice Pops!
When I was a kid, I remember visiting my grandmother and taking my bike to the park to spend all day outdoors with my friends. Throughout the day, we would get hot and thirsty from playing "Red Light, Green Light, 123," "British Bulldog," and Freeze Tag. To cool off, we would visit one of the neighbors who made homemade ices and buy one each for only a quarter. I have such fond memories of sitting on the edge of the curb with my buddies enjoying these cool and refreshing ices. Now that I'm a mom, I want to prepare some of the treats that I enjoyed during my childhood with my own sons so I am always on the lookout for ways that I could replicate them right here at home. I'm a teacher so I have summers off and I greatly enjoy spending time with my boys and also enjoying cool desserts when we get overheated during our warm weather outings and adventures. One of the ways that we get refreshed after a long, hot day here in New York City is by enjoying some homemade ice … [Read more...]
32 Ways You Can Keep Kids Learning Over The Summer
Summer seems to rapidly approach every year and many of my students' parents have approached me for advice on how to support their children's learning at home. I always tell parents that allowing their kids to have fun is extremely important, but you also want to ensure they are learning in some capacity. Here are 32 ways that all parents can keep their child learning this summer: Take them to your local library! Read to your child, and with your child, regularly. Help them master different math concepts as you cook together. Play counting and math games while swimming in the pool. Take nature hikes and use science terms to study nature. Complete science experiments as a family in your kitchen. Do arts and crafts together a few times a week outdoors. Sign up for educational learning boxes that are delivered to your front door and are very affordable. Listen to educational songs and talk about the lyrics and compare it to poetry and poetic terms. Create … [Read more...]
