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Now that school is out, you may be wondering what you can do to help your children make the most of their free time. As the cost of living rises, signing the children up for summer camp or going on a cross-country road trip might not be feasible.

That doesn’t mean the kids have to stay inside all summer, though. There are still plenty of things they can do that won’t throw your budget off balance. Here are a few ideas for low-cost summer fun.

Check Out What’s Going On at Your Local Library

Let the library be your family’s go-to destination. It won’t incur theme park-sized costs. For example, the Jacksonville Public Library branches host read-along story time for young children and arts workshops for kids of all age groups. Events like these are great places to make friends. View your library’s event calendar to see if any special events for children and students are coming up.

Moreover, you may borrow materials for your family to enjoy at home. Many of these materials are free to residents. If you’ve just signed up for a library card, the librarian can provide an overview of what you might find amongst the stacks.

Need to suspend streaming services for a bit? Ask if your library participates in any digital circulation programs. Your library might offer apps to check out books, music, and movies to view on mobile devices for free!

Venture to Florida’s State and National Parks

Keeping your trips local reduces travel costs. There is much to discover in Florida, and many of these one-of-a-kind attractions might be fairly close to where you live.

Many parks across the state make a wonderful backdrop for adventure. Florida is home to 175 state parks and 11 national parks. Admission to these sites is relatively inexpensive, letting you focus on the experiences instead of your account balances.

From historic sites to nature preserves, the parks let families discover new things. Go hiking on a lush forest trail, or float down crystal clear rivers. Visit historical sites to gain perspective on our shared heritage. Or let the little ones meet a mermaid!

Try Cooking Together

If takeout isn’t within your budget, summertime is the perfect time to cook with your kids. Learning to cook is a valuable life skill—and it’s an opportunity to make memories with the family.

Maybe you have a secret recipe that you haven’t used in a while. Or, your child is getting old enough to use the stovetop. Now’s your chance to share what you know. Or, learn a new recipe together. If you’ve been growing your own produce, this would be the perfect moment to toss them into the mix.

You can even make a party out of it, too! Plan a potluck with your friends and their families. Food brings people together, and events like these can include other low-cost activities. Have the kids work up an appetite playing catch, and close the evening with a board game.

As you can see, summer vacation can fill your kids’ days with fun without emptying your savings. Thinking locally can go a long way toward keeping your expenses in check.