Fortunately, a little research yields a lot of information on free and inexpensive ideas for summer fun.
First check with your local library and parks department. Sign up for a summer reading club, where your children can get prizes, and keep up on those all-important reading skills. With that, they're ready to head back to school in September. My sons always loved going to the library to pick out new books each week and get their stickers or other rewards for the books they read.
The City of Philadelphia runs a number of free programs for kids throughout the summer which you can find here. Many other townships run day camps in their parks where kids can take part in sports and arts and crafts for free or just a small fee.
Don't forget the National Parks in our area, like Independence National Historic Park and Valley Forge, where you can take free guided tours and sneak a bit of history into the kids' summer.
A number of local factories also offer free tours. If your kids like watching "How It's Made," they would love these. For a list of free factory tours, click here. Also check out your local Home Depot, Lowe's or A.C. Moore store for their calendar of free make-and-take craft events.
Kids can also bowl for free at some local lanes over the summer. Click here for a list of participating bowling alleys where kids can bowl two free games per day all summer long.
If your kids are movie buffs (or if it's just too hot or rainy to be outside) there are a few offers for deeply discounted movies you can enjoy. Regal and United Artists Cinemas offer $1 children's films on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10:00. For participating theaters click here.
And don't be afraid to leave your kids some un-scheduled downtime. After the hectic school year, there's nothing wrong with spending time just riding bikes, shooting hoops, jumping waves or perfecting your cannonball at the local community pool.
For more free and cheap summer fun ideas for kids, check out this great post by Moms By Heart
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