Wednesday Wow: CHEAP Family Summer Fun List

Let’s jump right in here. This is a collection of things to do this summer that is not only cheap but educational too! It’s a string of conversations between myself and my online friends everywhere!  The great thing about their collection is that you can find most of the ideas in your town under a different name. Just search, ask and go. The summer you want is available. You do not have to sit in the house this summer.   Get out with your children and have fun! 

K-Moments Photo from the Total Children’s Wellness Fair

Hikes through a wooded area, camping in the backyard/ living room turn all electronics off for the day. We just did this over the weekend and everyone had a great time. We set up games like a water balloon throwing contest, bean bag toss, kick ball, sack races and other fun things. Made a fake fire, and had a simple dinner of hot dogs and chips, lunch we had a picnic lunch at the local park and did some exploring of the trails

 Library programs. Swimming, fishing, and picnics at the lake. Free concerts at the park. Slumber parties or tenting in the back yard. Hot dogs on the grill.

Get active in your mom group. If you don’t have one find one like Queen City Stay At Home Moms. We do a lot of co operative adventures together! 

It doesn’t cost anything just being with friends and family is enough for me. Sitting visiting laughing playing board games card games or sitting around a fire in my back yard

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Both of my daughters (now in their 30’s and 40’s) remember the fun times we had loading up stuff from the pantry – crackers, tuna, peanut butter, jug of water and beach towels – and heading to the beach for the day. Most favorite memories =o)  

Free science museum Thursday afternoons, zoo passes, park, pool, and drop off at grandmas!

Oh, water SPRAY PADS!!!! Everywhere has at least one spray PAD!

Get a foam swim tube @ dollar store poke holes in it attach it to hose. Viola a sprinkler you can make it go upward or down like a shower!

VISIT a friend that live in an apartment with a pool- Grab some towels and go swimming! 

Make koolaid popsicles in ice cube tray. Make a tent in the backyard with old sheet or blanket or tarp. Catch fireflies at night. Look at the stars. Have a block party with neighbors. Potluck and play the radio. Teach kids how to tell ghost stories or read out loud to them from library books.

 

welcome to my life right now. That is ok, some of the most fun things are free.

I set up obstacle courses for my kids then we take turns setting it up we use stuff we already have

Thank god there’s a site for free stuff to do in Chicago lol I’d be struck too often.

 Help your favorite holistic vendor get ready for a local community  fair like the Total Children’s Wellness Fair.in Charlotte NC

Dollar tree, five and below, sisters pool, beach and free library passes to Beardsley zoo. Woo hoo!

Did anyone mention the BEACH????  ( my sons below! #proud mom)

My girls love it too. 1 missing-

 Fishing, box of worms at wal-mart $3.50-4.00 ! Pack picnic lunch, sit on bank !

Definitely, we are using our $3 to go see the dollar movie 🙂

Amtrak & NC by Train $5 Kids Ride Deal

NC by Train and Amtrak are offering a Summer 2016 Deal for kids ages 2-12! Up to two children can ride for $5 (per each full-fare paying adult) to any destination in NC Tuesday-Thursday, and Saturday (some blackout dates apply). Entry promo code V765 for the discount!

 Details below-

Seasonal: Summer

 Day: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday

 Through 8.31.2016

 Grades: Preschool, Elementary, Middle School

 Age: 2-12

 $5

Cont…….

Pack a picnic lunch and go to the park.

  Or better yet, grab a recipe from Kelle Cooking With Kids and create a healthy treat together!

That why we go to the dollar store!

Yes. Think we’ll go somewhere. Go set in pickup in are driveway for awhile. And not even move. Get out go back into house. Wow that was cool

Yup… well, there is always the imagination and that’s free! You can even run away with it. 3 bucks will get you some lemons, you probably some sugar just add water. lol Make the best of your day.

Summer Bonus Perks:

You can even earn free coffee/ make an extra $200-$300 a month with no investment. by hosting Organo Gold House Parties with friends. (You can get more info on that —–right here!

RIGHT NOW I’m hooking up a family in need! I am giving away a week of media camp with Charlotte Youth Broadcasting Camp.

Haven’t heard about it yet?….I’ll update you.

At CYBC [Charlotte Youth Broadcasting Camp]. We have campers from various states, cities, and regions who come for the CYBC experience. Radio (June 20-24) & Sports Broadcasting (June 27th-July 1st) is still available register now atwww.Charlotteybc.com. Age groups 9-12 and 13-17.

All you have to do tell how you would spend the extra $300 you’ll save.

Post it below. I’ll notify the winner RIGHT here on next Friday!

Wednesday WOW: Let’s Get The Kids In The Kitchen.

Involving your kids in the kitchen enhances their appreciation and basic knowledge of different foods and good nutrition. You can teach them safe ways to handle food as well as simple cooking techniques. Plus, the time spent together is invaluable family time and encourages a lifetime of healthy eating.

I like to look in various magazines, cookbook newspaper ads,, and even old menus for inspiration on what to cook. Now don’t get me wrong, I have also passed by other people and have secretly drooled at what they are indulging.

For us, not much is off limits. There are many ways to make just about everything healthier and tastier to enjoy.

Here’s how my large family create a healthy meal together.

1. We look to see what we have and note what we need. Coupons can be grabbed from the Sunday paper and online. In the fridge, we look for:

1. Freshness
2. Enough  of the ingredient for the recipe
3. Something everyone can and will want to eat.

2.We determine who will do what. This is based on each ones age and ability to safely follow directions. There are six children in the home ranging from two to sixteen; a helper or two is never hard to find.

For most children you can give the following kitchen jobs:

2-4- year olds children can stir, roll, and even mash ingredients in a large deep bowl. This age group, however, needs very close adult supervision since their dexterity and motor skills are still developing.

5-7  year olds can help with reading  recipes, measuring, juicing, and prepping, and gathering certain ingredients. They may still need reminders to watch their fingers during grating and peeling.

8-11 year olds can cut, use specialty appliances like the panini press, waffle, ice cream maker, bigger knives and maybe even able to roast veggies. Now with a grasp of some basic cooking skills and an appreciation for the rules of the kitchen, young cooks are ready to take on more complex tasks using more kitchen equipment.  Of course, close and constant supervision are required at all times.

12 & up* This group can place and remove food from the oven, and even help create a healthy menu for an entire  week.

Here’s one of our weekly meals. Lasagna

Ingredients:

• 1 pound dry pasta
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 garlic clove chopped
• 1 pound lean ground turkey* (meat is optional- we use meat alternatives)
• 2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
• 8 ounces muenster cheese (we dice it our self to save money)
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheese (we dice it our self to save money)
• Sprinkles of salt, flax seeds,and pepper to taste

Directions-

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.In a large skillet, brown onion and “crumbled meat” over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).  Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish.
• Layer as follows: 1/2 of the pasta, mixed cheeses,1/2 sauce mixture, remaining mixed pasta, cheeses and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
• Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.

Tilapia and Green Tea

Why teach children how to cook?

• Cooking can be a fun time to bond with your kids, as well teach basic cooking education(importance of proper food safety practices, including food storage and kitchen hygiene ).Your kids will become more independent and confident.
• Before they leave home, they should know how to successfully cook and eat well when on their own.
• Teach them the difference between food and highly processed food items. If you don’t have a garden consider starting a container garden and shopping from a farmers market.

Get more information here;

Food A fact Of Life

Why is Farm-to-School Important?

Noodles does NOT come from a can!

ENJOY!- QC Supermom