UPDATED - 20 Free Things to do with the Family

Updated!!! 
I'm resending this out from last year and have added a few extra ideas because let's face it, we all need ideas on entertaining our kiddos during the long summer days.

School is out and the kids are starting to get bored.  Try one or all of these FREE suggestions to entertain the kids or just you.

1.  Check your city's recreation website for free movies in the park normally played during the summer months.

2.  Get your digital camera and go on an alphabet hunt.  Starting with the letter A take pictures beginning with that letter all the way to Z.

3.  Camp in your own backyard.  Set the tent up and roast some marshmallows.

4.  Write a poem together as a family.

5.  Have a WII Bowling tournament.

6.  Bake cookies and take them to a neighbor.

7.  Pick an object such as a hula hoop or stick and play object charades.  Use the object to act out something and everyone guesses what you are doing.

8.  Use magazines to make a collage of favorite things and places.

9.  Make a couple of batches of play dough and have fun.

10.  Find some mismatched socks, buttons, markers, yarn, and whatever else.  Create puppets and have a puppet show.

11.  Set out the good dinner ware, dress up and light a candle for dinner even if its just macaroni and cheese.

12.  Act out your favorite Children's book

13.  Turn on a family favorite movie and have a picnic on the floor while you watch.

14.  Play tag in the front yard with the sprinklers on.

15.  Play beauty shop.  Hair, facials, manicures, and pedicures.

16.  Check out a book about birds from the library and bird watch in your own neighborhood.

17.  Pick a person to make a card for or write a letter to as a family, mail or hand deliver it.

18.  Have a tea party, use cookie cutters to make pretty fancy sandwiches.

19.  Turn on the radio and play freeze dance.

20.  Make a family mural on the sidewalk with chalk.

A few More Ideas:

1.  Have a serious water fight in the yard using water balloons, water guns, and/or sponges.

2.  Using things found around the house create an obstacle course and hold your first annual family fun day race.

3.  Save the seeds from your veggies and fruits and start a garden with them.

4.  And an idea from ny sister in law....turn off the lights and play indoor hide and go seek in the dark.

Add Character to Your Table

I have the book Country Living Shoestring Chic - Extraordinary Style for Less and I love love love this idea. In the book Gail Abbott suggests using mismatched table china when entertaining. Plates, glasses, silverware, everything...if it makes you feel good, use it. I love this because I actually have a set of dishes, but I only have so many and really not a lot of money to add more. But I can pick up pretty little dishes all over the place for pennies on the dollar. I can pick up as many as I want and if one gets broken, while it will be sad, it won't be a hopeless situation of trying to replace with the same china pattern.
Plus what adds more character and conversation than a table full of colorful plates and glasses? Its a simple elegance with a very low price tag. I can't wait to get out and start looking for my new china!