We are expecting a baby around July 29 and I’ll be taking some time off to welcome him to the world. I am grateful to friends and fellow bloggers who are helping out with guest posts.  This article is by Sarah Welch and Alicia Rockmore of Buttoned Up.

It was a warm summer night. The humidity had to have been 100%, and the crickets were extra loud.  Fireflies lit up the air like Christmas lights in July, and your stomach ached from the 23 marshmallows your friends challenged you to eat in a minute.

Maybe you didn’t have exactly that experience, but chances are you enjoyed something pretty close to it — a quintessential summer evening. The best part about such a night: it involved nothing more glamorous than hanging in the backyard and cost no more than 99 cents for the marshmallows.

We may be languishing in one of the tightest economic downturns our country has seen in decades, but there’s no reason to let money woes throw a wrench in your summer fun.  You can have a fantastic summer and create lasting memories with little or no money.

All it takes is a little advanced planning.   Read on for inexpensive ways to beat the heat and have some fun this summer.

1.  Homemade Slip-n-Slide

Got a hose, a sprinkler and a tarp?  Then you can make your own Slip-‘n-Slide® for free. Just flood the tarp with water and add a sprinkler or two into the mix for extra fun.

Don’t have any of these items? Ask a neighbor, friend, or family member if you can borrow theirs for the day.  Home Depot sells tarps for fairly cheap if want to buy one.

Two tips:  (a) Be sure to get all sticks and rocks out from underneath first, and (b) If you place the tarp on a slight down slope, it works nicely too.

Fun for children of all ages.

2.  Take a Hike

When was the last time you visited your regional state park or the hiking trails in your township?  Take a nature walk by yourself or with others and recharge your batteries.

Just be sure to wear sunscreen and bug spray, bring first aid supplies, and let another person know where you’ll be and when you’ll be back.

3.  Just Beachy

Even if you’re not near the ocean or one of the Great Lakes, chances are there’s some form of a beach on a lake within 50 miles of your home. Take a day trip to the lake and just relax in the sun and shade.

4.  Rack those Little Brains

School may be out, but learning can be fun.  Try out your library’s summer reading programs for fun and free entertainment with an educational twist.  For added incentive, invite your child’s friend to go along.

5.  New Sports

Have you and your children ever tried golfing?  Go on eBay or Craislist.org to find inexpensive sets of golf clubs in adult or youth sizes, buy a bag of whiffle golf balls, and set a bucket in the yard as a target.  Then swing, aim, and enjoy.

Golf is a game of patience and practice, so even if you don’t actually go to the course very often, you can still enjoy it.  You can also teach yourself the rules while the matches are on TV on the weekends.

Hate golf?   Pick another sport you don’t usually play and give it a whirl.

6.  Help Others and Learn

Community service is a great way for kids of all ages to get out of the house and learn about others. Donate your time with the local animal shelter or join a community service club, like 4-H (www.4-h.org).

Volunteer activities remind you of what’s really important in life and enable everyone involved to make new friends.

7.  Neighborhood Camp-Out

If you have children, backyard camp-outs are always an adventure. Be sure everyone you invite to camp with you brings their own snacks to share and all you have to supply is your yard, a bathroom, and beverages.

Note for parents:  have a space available in the house if it starts raining or the children get scared.

8.  Dollar Store Art

Raid the dollar store for art supplies and go wild.  You don’t need to have $7 markers and $15 paints to have fun and stretch your creative muscles.

9.  Budget-Friendly Childcare

If you’re wondering what to do with the little ones this summer, try your local parks program for free or low-cost day camps for kids. These programs offer a fun-filled day at a reasonable price.

Sarah Welch and Alicia Rockmore are co-authors of Everything (Almost) In Its Place and co-founders of Buttoned Up, Inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized. We welcome your thoughts!  Please send ideas and questions to us at yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at Buttoned Up.

Photo credits: fireflies, clover, beach.

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