Adventurez in ChildRearing: Homeschooling for the Frugal Family: Summer fun savings

In an effort to save money this year, I'm joining my friend Marcy +Ben and Me as well as Sam +Sam's Noggin to bring you this weekly link up full of tips for becoming a more Frugal Family. We will be sharing ideas to help you save money on groceries and meals, homeschool, crafts, and plenty of frugal DIY posts. We've made many sacrifices so that I can stay at home to teach the boys, and I've become pretty frugal in order to help make that possible and to keep it that way. It's become a challenge I truly enjoy, and one I enjoy sharing with you!

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Summer is here and it's time to play! Oh wait, we do that all the time. Still, it's the perfect time to check out local programs and take advantage of special deals for family fun. Many of the opportunities available can even be counted for school credits in certain circumstances. At the very least, they result in happy, well rounded children who are soaking up knowledge as they soak up the sun.

On our summer bucket list:

Join the pool (Local Aquatic Programs - Charlotte County) or take swim classes at the YMCA - don't forget to let them know you are a homeschool family and don't be afraid to ask if they offer discounts for homeschoolers! I have been surprised on more than one occasion when I just threw it out there thinking I'd be turned down.
Join a "regional specific" program, sport, or hobby. On the coast in Southwest Florida - we can walk the beaches and help tag sea turtle nests. Use the subject matter for a special summertime unit study. In coastal areas - learn more about sea turtles here. One way or the other, get outdoors to learn about the local wildlife and enjoy the time together exploring God's Creation.

Spend at least a week or 2 bird watching! Keep track of the birds you see in a log book or download this FREE Printable checklist . Even if you don't know what type of bird you are seeing - you can log in a good description, take or draw a picture - and look it up later with a great guide book -like this field guide for young naturalists. Check this awesome online bird guide from Cornell.
Make a nature collage.
Build a sand castle - you don't have to live at the beach to enjoy building sand castles. Put together a little sand box in the back yard or go down to the creek! Read all about castles in this book by National Geographic or gather books from the local library.
Make a homemade bow and arrows. Gather sticks, use some string and then practice in the back yard with your new primitive set of tools. Read about this and more in the Dangerous Book for Boys.
Build your own backyard Teepee! Gather sticks and secure at the top with rope - drape a simple sheet around it and you have a wonderful teepee. Indoors, you can make a paper village like this one.
Explore local history museums and parks. Learn about getting your ASTC passport here for huge savings all around the country.

Teach the kids to fish! Here's an article called "Fishing with kids: Instilling a lifetime Passion" by my own sweet husband - Captain Mark Becton on the subject of teaching young children to fish. Of course, you could always book a charter!
Use bowling as an extracurricular activity and count it as a homeschool class credit this summer! Learn all about the sport of bowling and enjoy time together as your kids bowl free. There are frugal deals for the parents as well. Plan to meet up with local friends as you refer them to the program and earn prizes for the whole family. See the details below. Please be sure to use my referral email if you sign up the kiddos (totally utterly completely FREE)!