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The winner of the $100 Diapers.com giveaway, selected using Random.org, is Kemesha Salmon. Congratulations Kemesha!

$100 Diapers.com giveaway!

I used to be a on the road for work. A lot.

So naturally, I had the whole packing efficiently thing down to a science. Only room in that carry on bag for two or three items but need 10 outfits for the trip? No problem! I was like a little fashion MacGyver.

And then I had kids.

Now when it comes to packing for a trip, I’m a chronic over-packer.

It’s like parenthood has turned my travel brain to mush.

I’ve been THAT woman in line at the airport taking things out of a bag so it would make the 50 pound weight cut-off.

I’ve been THAT woman on the side of the road with and entire mountain of stuff strewn on the grass so that I could change a tire.

This summer’s vacation is going to be different, though thanks to a little help from my friends at Diapers.com. I order items I need from them, they ship them to my destination so they’re there when we arrive. FOR FREE! Yep, they have free shipping on orders of $49 or more.

The boys and I are headed up to visit Pop Pop in his cabin next week. No TVs, no internet, basic, basic cabin amenities and tons of outside adventures to have. We can’t wait!

But the cabin (and the boys) needed some basics like bowls, sippy cups, shampoo, books, PJs, and the like.

So I hopped on Diapers.com and ordered away. I put the order in on Wednesday and the box arrived on Pop Pop’s cabin door on Thursday.

Here’s what Pop Pop found inside the box:

Some new cool Toy Story bowls & sippy cups for hungry boys. They’re obsessed so I expect some whooping and hollering when they see those on the dinner table that first night. Who knew Diapers.com had things like this for sale?

My favorite shampoo.

It’s so my favorite shampoo, it inspired a haiku:
Lachlan fresh from bath
Fine hair smelling of Burt’s Bees
Fills my lap and heart

Neat jammies for my almost two-year-old who has outgrown nearly every pair of his summer PJs. Already. Needless to say, I was thrilled to see Diapers.com had them – never would have known they had those too!

Some swim diapers…of course!

And finally books. Because bedtime without books just isn’t bedtime. I got 2 for Will (the “original” Toy Story – The Velveteen Rabbit and Puff the Magic Dragon. And 2 fun ones for Lachlan.

Diapers.com is currently having their semi-annual sale where lots of items from Carter’s clothes to Britax car seats are discounted – I got all of the above for less than $100. Be sure to check it out. They also have a year round discount program for loyal customers called Take 5. It’s free to sign up and new customers get $10 off their first order and $5 off every order after that.

***GIVEAWAY ALERT!***

Want in on the Diapers.com fun? One lucky GetButtonedUp.com reader will win a $100 diapers.com shopping spree. To enter, tell us by commenting on this article what you’d buy from diapers.com for your baby/kid/yourself. Diapers? Cute bathing suit? Maternity pillow? Toys?

All entries must be received by Friday, July 15th at 11:59 PM EST. The winner will be selected by random drawing and announced at the top of this post on Monday, July 18th.

Don’t want to wait until next week? Join @BabyCenter and the lovely @resourcefulmommy tonight (Friday, July 8 ) from 9-10 PM EST for a #diapersdotcom Twitter party and participate in a scavenger hunt to win prizes. To attend go to tweetchat.com and enter #diapersdotcom in the search box at the top. More details here.

Legal: US residents only. Employees of BabyCenter and Diapers.com are not eligible.

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by BabyCenter in conjunction with the BabyCenter blog Network. I also received a $100 shopping spree. BabyCenter did not edit our post or direct our content in any way, so the ideas & opinions are entirely my own.

Simple Ideas to Organize Travel Plans

Travel can be many things. It can be an obligatory visit to your relative’s home for the holidays. It can be a quick one-night getaway to the city to see a show and do some shopping. Or, it can be a week-long toes-in-the-sand vacation where you escape from everything just for a little bit. Whether you’re packing the car or boarding the plane, travel planning requires some dotting of i’s and crossing of t’s. You’ll never be able to control the long line at airport security, but if you follow some general guidelines, you will be able to get organzied and shape your next trip.

Ten Tips for Trouble-Free Travel

1. Set a Budget.

Sit down ahead of time and determine what fits with your budget. Nothing spoils a great trip more than flying blind and then getting the bill (and that sinking stomach feeling). Knowing your budget helps keep you in line while dining out and hitting up the gift shop.

2. Map it Out.

If you’re just planning a visit to parents or relatives, then you won’t need as much planning, but figure out everything you need ahead of time and then make the reservations accordingly. Flying? How will you get to and from the airports – both at home and at your destination? Travel planning goes far beyond picking a hotel. Make a master list of all of your needs to get organized.

3. Delegate.

Figure out what can be delegated, whether it’s making dinner reservations or packing suitcases, and then do it. All the planning and organization should not fall on one person’s shoulders. If you have children, rest assured that kids can help pack, too. Just give them a list and let them check off the items. Make sure you take a glance, just to be sure your four-year-old hasn’t packed just pajama bottoms and no tops.

4. Live the Trip Before you Get There.

Sketch out the trip in your mind. What do you want to do while you’re there? What can’t be missed? This will help you figure out what needs to be booked ahead of time and it will also help you when it comes to packing.

5. Charge Everything.

Nothing is worse than seeing a blinking no battery light just when you found the perfect photo op. Charge your electronics before the trip and then bring all of the accompanying cords and devices in a large Ziploc bag so you won’t be caught midway through the trip with no power.

6. Document Folder.

Get a large folder or envelope where you will store all of your travel-related documents, from passports to reservation confirmations. You don’t want to have to rifle through your purse with a security agent glaring at you, so having it all together in one spot can be a lifesaver.

7. Medicine.

If you take prescription medicines, pack them in their original bottles from the pharmacy. While it rarely happens, it’s comforting to know that you have all of the information right there. Also, while you don’t need to bring the contents of your medicine cabinet, it does help to have a small just-in-case supply of medicines (Imodium, Tylenol, etc).

8. Pack with the 80/20 Rule in Mind.

It’s tempting to want to pack every favorite pair of shoes and every one of the favorite outfits in your closet, but remember that you can’t bring it all, especially with today’s ever-growing charges for baggage. Typically you wear the same basics (khakis, shorts, walking shoes) every day. Force yourself to pare down by trying to create as many different outfits from two basic pants/shorts/skirts and two or three different shirts.

9. Happy Kids = Happy Parents.

If you have children and you’re bringing them along, don’t let them bring every stuffed animal. That said, it is important to bring a stash of toys, games, or books that will keep them busy and entertained while traveling. Bring a small coloring book and crayons for the plane or a portable DVD with never-before-seen movies and you’ll keep them calm and relaxed.

10. Pack for the Kids.

We don’t mean that cute sailor dress for your toddler, either. We’re talking car seats, strollers, and other gear. Just focus on the essentials, but you’ll need to know whether you’re bringing the car seat or renting one from the car rental agency.

There is sand in your shoes and ice cream melting on the back porch. As you pack the cooler and the boogie board for a trip to the beach, the last thing on your mind right now is stuffing stockings. Christmas may be many months away, but the summer can be a great time of the year to nab some extra time to plan ahead. Work has slowed down, schools are closed, and most people have a little extra time in their schedules. Little things, such as checking your address list for changes so you won’t be panicked for Uncle Bob’s new address in Florida, can make a surprisingly big difference later. Another bonus to planning ahead? Money savings. These days, most of us are looking for ways to save a few bucks, so if you start crafting your gift list, you can pick up items that might be on sale. If you make your list now, you’ll even have the time to check it twice!

Sarah on “stretching the dollar”

“Normally, I’d have to say that I hate the whole Christmas in July thing. I like to enjoy the seasons as they come and summer is a time for surf and sand, not thoughts of snow and Santa, but money is tighter this year, so I want to try to get organized and plan my gifts well in advance so I can grab them when I see them on sale. I tend to travel more in the summer too, so I’m planning to stop by all the local boutiques to see if I can find something more unique or special for those on my gift list. It can be festive running around at the Christmas rush, but I definitely spend more money on last minute gifts.”

Alicia on “plan now, enjoy later”

“I’m the first one to say that I am a total lunatic at the holiday season. I am that person running to the stores at midnight and I tend to thrive on that pace, but last year I happened to get a few things done ahead of time and I ended up slowing down and really enjoying the season so much more. Now, I never want to wait until the last minute again and want the season to be about enjoyment, not errands.”
Here are a few things to consider even if your thoughts drift more toward sandcastles than gingerbread houses:

1. Plan your Travel.

If Aunt Sally already begged you to come for Christmas last year and you know you’re going to give in, book your travel in advance. You can save a lot of money (and headaches) by booking your airline tickets, hotel reservations, and car rental bookings now.

2. Make your List.

Next time you’re at the beach, bring a pen and paper and jot down your gift list. Think about conversations you’ve had recently with the people on your list and you’ll likely come up with a gift idea or three. Then, the next time you’re out and see something perfect or even better, it’s on sale, you don’t need to wait. Buttoned Up has some free downloadable forms designed to help you stay on top of holiday gift-giving – and on (or under) budget. You can find them at www.GetButtonedUp.com/tools

3. Off-Season Sales.

You know that cute Christmas or holiday shop that you drive by? It’s probably having a sale this summer. Stop in and see what you can pick up. Maybe you need new lights for the tree or want to select ornaments for your favorite teachers. Holiday décor really never goes out of style, but it does get much more expensive come Fall. You’ll be ready when the season approaches and you’ll feel even better knowing you snagged it all on sale.

I’m absolutely IN LOVE with these colorful eco-friendly tote bags!

The Duck Bag, named for its recycled cotton material, has two handle length options; shorter handles work for hand-carrying while a 40″ one is for over-the-shoulder use. Another welcome feature rarely found in a tote, the inside pocket keeps items like mobile phones and keys in close reach securing them with a snap.

The new cotton carry-all also looks stylish thanks to its colors, clean lines and elegant construction. This is the perfect everyday tote. Brings home everything from a laptop to groceries.

16″ high / 10″ wide / 5.5″ deep. 40″ adjustable shoulder strap. Snap Closure. Interior pocket. 100% recycled cotton canvas.

And only $18! Now, I just need to decide which color to get! Go to the Baggu site.

Tips For Bravely Traveling With A Baby

By Jill Besnoy of www.honestbaby.com

My husband and I loved to travel before we had children and made a conscious decision to not let having babies get in our way. Now that my two boys are out of their baby stage, I can look back fondly on the “challenges” that I endured. My first trip from New York to Los Angeles with my 3-month old was memorable to say the least, but I pressed onward. I was brazen with my choices. Before my oldest was 2 years old he had already been to 10 different states including Alaska. Although I enjoyed having my family by my side, traveling with a baby tested my patience. Yet the more places we visited the more I learned to adjust the way I travel. These top ten tips are what I’ve learned, but not always followed, during my travels with my babies (who sadly aren’t babies anymore).

Location, Location, Location.

Choose your vacation spot wisely. Realize that the days of going on a serene romantic getaway are over…at least when you’ve got the baby in tow. You can still visit beautiful places, just make sure they’re kid friendly and you’re not dealing with the glares of honeymooners. Pay attention to how you get there. Driving 20 hours straight with a 6-month-old might not be the wisest choice. Taking three connecting flights before you even begin your vacation, again not wise. Make getting there simple and you’ll have more time to relax.

Love Those Kid Perks.

Take advantage of all the perks you can. If taking an airplane, make sure to get the 50 percent discount for kids under 2- years old. Don’t forget to pre-board the airplane. We parents can use all the extra time we can get. Use the car rental’s car seat if they offer it. Request the hotel room closest to the elevator or pool so you don’t have to walk as far. Choose a hotel that provides a crib in the room or high chairs at dinner. The more they have, the less you have to lug along. (My husband would be carrying so many things at the airport, he looked like a pack mule). Family perks are there for a reason, to make your life easier, so use them!

Taking Baby Steps.

Slow down and plan extra time for dealing with your baby. It might take most of the morning for you to pack the diaper bag and get out of your hotel room. If you don’t create unnecessary time constraints and leave it loose, then you’ll be okay. Trust me, don’t try to change the baby’s leaking diaper before the last ferry pulls away from the dock (I missed it). Plan for frequent stops if driving and make sure you have chunks of free time each day. Don’t over-schedule. If sightseeing, only plan one big location each day. Remember to allow time for the unexpected.

A Comfortable Baby is a Happy Baby.

Bring all the right equipment to ensure your baby isn’t roughing it. A portable crib if they won’t provide it, plenty of extra formula or snacks for off-hour hunger, extra pacifiers, bottles, sippy cups, teethers, etc. Basically anything your little dictator may demand that you won’t be able to get in the middle of the night or quick enough before a melt down. If you’re doing a road trip I recommend lots of blankets and pillows for the car. If you’re taking a plane, bring lotion (in a 3 oz. container) and buy lots of bottled water once you’re through security. Remember your baby doesn’t care that this is your vacation. Make sure you have all the accoutrements that your little prince/princess has become accustomed to.

Handling the Sun.

Too much sun exposure can ruin a vacation quicker than you can say SPF. Make sure your baby wears a hat and use lots of sun tan lotion (SPF at least 30). Don’t forget to re-swath throughout the day, especially if your baby is fair. Remember, just because you’re in the shade doesn’t mean there’s no UV rays poking through. There are all sorts of gear out there to protect your baby; beach tents, cover ups, special bathing suits, high end sun tan lotion, etc. Choose your weapon and stay on top of it!

Give up on Schedules (or don’t).

Rigid nap and feeding times can be a downer on vacation. If your baby let’s you, be flexible. Try not to be the mom who runs from the picturesque scene of dolphins leaping in the air to get baby down for his noon nap. Let the baby fall asleep on a blanket in the grass rather than sit inside the hotel room for two hours of naptime. We all know some babies stick to their schedule no matter where they may be and sometimes breaking a routine will wreak havoc when you return from your trip. But sometimes it’s freeing to let it all go on vacation. Of course, if you can only breastfeed in a quiet room, or you have to head back to the hotel for naptime, it’s okay. Depending on the kid, sometimes routine makes your vacation go smoother. Do what works for your family.

Entertainment is Under-Rated.

Make sure to have plenty of books, your baby’s favorite music and engaging toys on hand. These will help during any rough patches. If your baby watches television, I highly recommend bringing a DVD player with their favorite program. Believe me it will come in handy. Great diversions (depending on age) include, stickers, pretend car keys, doodle pads, mirrors, and playdoh. Of course bribery is okay when you’re on vacation; secret treats or brand new toys are part of a clever parents arsenal.

Having a Medical Emergency Free Vacation.

Now is not the time to have your 10-month-old try eggs for the first time. Allergies are the number one vacation spoiler. Don’t leave home without Benadryl or some other antihistamine. Also take along Tylenol, or Motrin, band-aids, etc. You never know what can happen. When you arrive in your room do a quick scan for dangerous things like, small objects that are choking hazards, exposed outlets, or wide-open balconies. Obviously be careful in the in the pool or ocean, I don’t need to tell you that one…

Cleaning Up Gracefully.

Let’s be honest. Babies are not neat. They poop on you, pee on you, vomit on you, spit up on you, stick their hands where they don’t belong. They’re a mess! And you need to be prepared. All parents traveling with a baby should have on hand – disinfectant, anti-bacterial soap, wipes, plastic bags and multiple changes of clothing for baby. And when you are on a plane ride or long car ride, I recommend a change of clothes for you (especially if you have somewhere to go afterwards). You don’t want to hear the story about my husband’s meeting he had to attend smelling like baby throw up.

Embrace Imperfect Parenting.

Keep your sense of humor and realize it won’t go perfectly. Traveling without children can sometimes be difficult but having a baby with you almost guarantees it won’t go smoothly. Most importantly remember that this is family time. Enjoy it and laugh at the bumps in the road.

Visit www.honestbaby.com for more articles from Jill Besnoy.

How far would you go for something to make your loved one happy? I went all the way to Green Bay!

My wonderful Hubby had been looking for a 1995 Buick Riviera to buy. Everywhere he looked the cars he saw had high mileage and some were not in really good shape. Then he found it; a beautiful car with low miles and a reasonable price. He contacted the dealer, and decided to go look at the car– in Green Bay, Wisconsin. We live in a city outside of Detroit, Michigan!

So we traveled Friday night to Chicago to spend the night with my sister and her family. We were tired but excited. We got up really early on Saturday and drove the 3 hours up to Green Bay. It was the quickest time at a dealership I’ve ever had! Green Bay is c-c-c-cold! But the car purred. Obviously it had been owned by someone who was OCD! We test drove it, inspected it (hubs was once a car mechanic – handy skill!) and then we handed over the negotiated price and we left – all within one hour!

So I found out that I will travel by car for 4 hours after working a full day and getting up at 5:20 AM, then drive 3 hours with only 4 hours of sleep, stand in the freezing cold, then drive an additional 3 hours (back to Chicago), and drive home again – literally spending the weekend driving! All to see that excited glint in the eye and happy smile from my loved one. But I really already knew I’d travel to the far ends of the earth or live in a cave to see that smile!

Needless to say for the next couple of months I am wife of the year!

I must say that over the past 15 or so years, I have become quite the expert on air travel.

I am a proud 1 million mile member with two airlines but not just that. I have done it all and often…first class, coach class, international, with kids, with an infant, by myself……you name it…….I know the airports as well as I do many malls. I have spent a lot of time often weekly on planes and have learned to make the most of it. Why is this important? What does it have to do with organizing?

For me, airplane time is a great time to get organized, relook at my priorities and rethink my ‘Must Do List.’

This is top of mind right now because I have around ten hours of airplane time coming up soon. It is day travel which means me and Lucy (my 7 year old) will be awake. I have already begun to plan what I will pack in my carryon so that I can use the quiet time (no cell phone, no email, few distractions) to make progress and I get ready to end one year and begin 2010.

I thought it might help if I listed out my projects that I am going to be doing on my trip and see if there are things on this list that you might want to do as well or if my list my spark things that are important for you to get done.

You don’t need a plane trip to do this. If you don’t have a trip coming up, schedule a few hours of quiet time and get going.

My Plane To Do List

1. My holiday card list up to date – I take with me the holiday card envelopes (return addresses) I have already received and update my addresses then I toss out the envelopes.
2. Review my checkbook for items that have any tax implications for 2009 (e.g. like property taxes paid, medical expenses). For each item I list the date, who I paid, amount and check number. Great to do in excel and then you have an electronic copy as well.
3. Update the documents for my mother. My mom is 89 and each year at this time I make sure things like her power of attorney, living will, contact information at the assisted living facility she lives at is all current.
4. Make a list of items I need to do for our upcoming vacation like suspend mail delivery, etc..
5. Put together my five and only five new year’s resolutions for 2010.
6. Think about and commit to a fitness regimine with our fitness.doc that I will start as of January 2, 2010. Will include how often I will do weights, aerobics, etc…
7. Add to my interesting things to tweet list. I keep a file of upcoming tweets that I add to whenever I come across interesting data, web sites, or organizing tips.
8. Catch up on my magazine reading.

I will let you know how I do on my list of items for my plane trip.

Would love to hear things you do if you have free time traveling to get yourself together and organized.

This is it. This is the big week where you start the race of the holiday season.

This year is lasts for a mere 36 days. That is just over 5 weeks of shopping, eating, baking, giving, singing, decorating, traveling, family gatherings, eating, holiday parties, work gift exchanges….oh and more eating. I must say this is one of my favorite times of the year.

Today is the starting line and as in many of life’s races, this is not a sprint but a marathon.

We will all need to pace ourselves to have the stamina and energy to get across the finish line and watch the Rose Bowl Parade on January 1st.

Today I want to focus on two topics to give you a turbo charge for the holiday season: (1) Holiday Travel and (2) Thanksgiving Traditions

Who Among Us Likes Holiday Travel?

I certainly don’t.

During my 17 years (so far) of marriage, we usually make at least 2 family trips during this time of year. I must say that something unexpected always seems to happen to us. There are the crowds, the inevitable delays and the lost luggage. But after flying over 2 million miles, I have developed a few tricks to make holiday travel sane and manageable. Here are my favorites. I hope they are of help to you. Please comment and give us your tips as well. The more tips and ideas, the better prepared we can all be.
1. Plan for Double Time – When I am getting ready for a trip I always assume it will take me twice as long to get where I am going so I prepared. This has really come in handy because it forces me to think about things like bringing with me extra food, buying extra water after security check point to bring on the plane, and having all of my electronic devices fully charged. If you do nothing else but this tip, you are already doing a lot.
2. Fly By Security – Lines in security especially with infrequent flyers can be long and frustrating. Make sure you do what you can to get through the line quickly. I like to wear (and have everyone in the family) wear slip on shoes. I keep my liquids Ziploc in a handy side pouch. And this time of year, do not bring wrapped packages. They will most likely be opened.
3. New Policies – Spend a few minutes on tsa.gov before you depart. They will give you the latest information on all of the new rules. For example, you now want to make sure your airline tickets and ID both match exactly to avoid additional security screenings.
4. Travel Light – While this might now seem realistic, you should try everything in your power to just do carry-ons when you travel. It saves on lost luggage hassles and keeps you in check with how much stuff you ‘really’ need to pack. One thing you can do is to get space bags for packing which help shrink down the size of garments (e.g. especially bulky winter items).
5. Be On Alert – Finally, make sure to sign up for automatic email or phone alerts for your flights so you are first to know if there are any delays or issues.

Start A Thanksgiving Tradition This Week

When I was growing up, we had a tradition where each year before starting Thanksgiving dinner we went around the table and each spoke into a tape recorder about what we were thankful for.

It was something we all knew was coming and enjoyed doing. That was over 20 years ago and no one really thought much about those tapes until last year when we went to move my mom out of the house we grew up in and into an assisted living facility. It was then we found all of those tapes (which we have now had transferred to CD). WOW! To hear my dad talking (he passed away 15 years ago) and hear the adorable voices of my tiny little identical twin nieces (now 34 years old) was absolutely priceless. I didn’t know it then but we were creating memories that span the generations.

As each of you sit down this year for Thanksgiving dinner, think about what things you can do to keep the traditions of family, gratefulness and sharing alive and living long after the final leftover turkey sandwich has been eaten.

Here are some of the things we are thinking about doing this year. Please let me know what other ideas you have to add to the list.
1. Photo Book On Being Thankful – Use a camera and get pictures of everyone coming to Thanksgiving and then jot down what they are thankful for. Take that and make a photo book online (Apple, Shutterfly or Kodak Gallery) and give them out (maybe as your holiday gift). Think of it….after a few years you will have a whole set of these chronicling the family as everyone grows u.
2. Thankful Notes – We have a great download on our site for thankful notes that give you a great free notes to capture what everyone in the family is thankful for. Make a game of it by putting all of the filled out notes in a bowl and having someone read them all and try to guess who was thankful for what.
3. Give Back – Trade off some football or a few side dishes this year so you have a few hours to all go together to a shelter or food bank and help with Thanksgiving dinner for others. Giving back is a great way to remember how lucky you are and a memory that lasts forever. This is especially great to do with kids over the age of 5 or 6.

So there you have the Monday double shot and while it might not wake you up as much as your Macchiato at The Coffee Bean, it might just give you some ideas for easy ways to get organized this week.

Let us know what other ideas you want to hear from us about.

A few dates to remember for the week:
Tuesday – Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day
Friday – Your Welcomegiving Day
And of course, Thursday is Thanksgiving and Friday is Black Friday.

It was a warm summer night. The humidity had to have been 100% and the crickets were extra loud. Lighting Bugs lit up the air like Christmas lights in July and your stomach ached from the 23 marshmallows your buddies challenged you to eat in 1 minute.

These were the nights you’ll never forget and the best part about them? They were in the backyard and didn’t cost anything except for the 99cent mallows. This summer may be one of the tightest our country has seen in a decade, but don’t let money throw a wrench in your summer fun! We want to give you some fantastic summer fun without the extra dough!

1: Homemade slip-n-slide

Got a hose, a sprinkler and a tarp? Then u 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 or family member if you can borrow them 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 (B) If you place the tarp on a slight down slope it works nicely too.

2: Take a Hike!

When was the last time you visited your regional State Park or the hiking trails in your township? Take the kids on a nature walk. Just be sure to wear sunscreen, bug spray, bring first aid supplies and let another adult 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 your kids ever tried golfing? Go on eBay or Craislist.org to find an inexpensive set of youth golf clubs, buy a bag of whiffle golf balls, and set a bucket in the yard as a target. Teach your kids how to swing, aim, and enjoy. Golf is a game of patience and practice, so even if you don’t actually go to the course with them very often, they can still enjoy it with you. You can also teach them the rules while the matches are on TV on the weekends. Hate Golf: Pick another sport you’re kids don’t usually play.

6: Help Others & Learn

Community Service is a great way for kids 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). These activities teach your kids lessons while they make new friends.

7: Neighborhood Camp-Out

Have a camp out with all of your kids friends at your house. Be sure everyone brings their own snacks to share and all you have to supply is your yard, a potty, and beverages. If you’re friends with the parents, invite them over for conversation while the kids play. Note: have a space available in the house if it starts raining or they get scared.

8: Dollar Store Art

Raid the Dollar Store for art supplies and let the kids go wild. You don’t need to give your kids $7 dollar markers and $15 paints for them to have fun.

9: Budget friendly Child Care

Also try your local parks program for free or minimal costing day camps for kids. These programs offer a fun day for a reasonable cost.