Day 1: Sign them up for your area church's Vacation Bible Camp! They range from FREE to very low cost and tons of fun.
Looking for a VBC... Contact local churches in your area to see when they offer VBC or look online for a church near you.
Day 2: Have you taken your kiddos bowling yet this summer? If not, there are several programs available that offer free bowling in the summertime, and it’s a great way to keep cool on a hot summer day.
Visit KidsBowlFree.Com and find a bowling center in your area that offers free summer bowling. You’ll need to register on the Kids Bowl Free website, and kids get two free games of bowling each day (you’ll pay for shoe rentals only.)
Shoe rentals typically run $3-$4, and other bowling alleys may also participate in similar summer programs, so it’s worth calling your local bowling center before you head out.
Day 3: Take your family to the Movie Theater Drive-In! In most cases, you'll get 2 movies for around $20-25 a car load and you'll have a fun and memorable family night out!
Day 4: Bike Aboard! - Bike the Towpath Trail - Ride the Rails!
Have fun experiencing two great travel experiences in one outing. Available seasonally - typically May through October. You can bike one way and ride the Scenic Rail back the other for $3! It’s a great way to explore the National Park
Day 5: Go to Blossom to hear the Cleveland Orchestra with the family. Kids under 18 (two per each adult ticket) sit on the lawn for free and you can bring a picnic to enjoy under the stars!) The “Under18s Free” program is designed to encourage families to attend Cleveland Orchestra concerts together.
Day 6: Go to a minor league baseball game. The Akron Rubber Ducks or Lake County Captains captain are a less expensive alternative to the big leagues! Great trip for the family and you still get the feel of a good old ball game!!
Day 7: Go to the “big library.” If you live near a branch of the public library, try going to the main library in your city. It’s usually a “wow” factor because it’s so much bigger than the usual library.
Day 8: Try a spray park! They offer a fun interactive way for children to beat the heat during the summer. And the best part about them… they’re FREE or low cost. Bonus: There are over 30 locations to choose from in Northeast Ohio! Here’s a link I found listing them all!
Day 9: Enjoy a movie under the starts with the family for FREE! Just remember to bring your popcorn and blanket. Here’s a link for FREE outdoor movies in Northeast Ohio.
Day 10: Enjoy a Kid’s Eat Free Night! Here’s a listing from my good friend, Rachel, from CouponingWithRachel.
Day 11: Take the family downtown Cleveland to visit the Cleveland Museum of Art. The children’s area is filled with many hands on interactive ways to experience art and it’s FREE! Plus, they also have a great restaurant there too!
Day 12: If you have smaller kids, say 2-5, take a trip to Memphis Kiddie Park. At Memphis Kiddie Park you pay as you go. Each ride is only one ticket and tickets never expire! Buy the Book and save even more PLUS you get coupons for additional savings within the park!
Day 13: Take your kids to one of the amazing parks we have here in Northeast Ohio! The Nature Realm in West Akron is part of the Summit Metropark’s and is FREE and has fabulous hands on nature / science stuff for kids. Other great places are Penitentiary Glen Reservation in Lake Metropark and Nature Center at Shaker Lakes. They’re FREE and also offer great hands on learning about nature.
Day 14: Try kayaking or paddle boarding with the family. A nice option is Fairport Harbor Beach, part of the Lake Metroparks, offering affordable options.
Day 15: Visit the largest fully accessible playground park in Northeast Ohio, Preston’s H.O.P.E. One of the biggest and coolest playgrounds I’ve ever seen. Your kids will love it!
Day 16: Take a FREE 45 minute guided tour of the Harry London / Fannie May Chocolate Factory! Your tour ends in our chocolate shop for fabulous Fannie May and Harry London chocolates with a FREE tasting of our famous chocolates.
Day 17: Attend a FREE Cleveland Institute of Music concert. In July they’re having several Lunch and Listen sessions with beverages provided.
Day 18: Visit the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Did you know on Mondays Cuyahoga Country residents get in FREE? Considering a Zoo Membership is also a great idea… if you plan on multiple visits during the summer/early fall it is well worth it!
Day 19: Take a hike around Cleveland! Get to know your city better, with one of these fantastic free downtown walking tours offered by the Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corp. This year’s tours explore the Gateway District, the Warehouse District, Playhouse Square, Canal Basin Park in the Flats and the Civic Center. Tours are offered through Sept. 16. See website for schedule.
Day 20: Try Wade Oval Wednesdays, or WOW at University Circle. University Circle’s free Wednesday parties are an awesome family night. The 2015 WOW series will run from June 17 to Aug. 26, from 6 to 9 p.m, Wade Oval will supply the music and picnic spots. You supply the food and drink (vendors are on site, too).
Day 21: Visit Stearns Homestead for FREE. This forty eight acre farm has lots of animals – always a favorite with the children – as well as several historic museum houses and a Yankee barn, loaded with antiques and historic items.
Day 22: “Star-Spangled Spectacular”: See the best band in the land — at least WE think so — when the Cleveland Orchestra plays its annual free July 4th show with music and fireworks on July 1, 2015, on Mall B. 9 p.m.
Day 23: Visit Lakeshore Learning for free crafts for kids. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday, this educational superstore offers free crafts and fun ideas for kids. One of our favorite stores for kids toys, too!
Day 24: Take a trip to the Columbus Zoo! Listed as of the top 5 zoo’s in the US by USA TODAY in 2014 it has even passed up the San Diego Zoo now! Worth the day trip to Columbus with the family, or splurge on a low cost hotel while you’re down and there and make a weekend out of it. Learn more by visiting the Columbus Zoo website!
Day 25: Take advantage of free workshops at Home Depot and Lowes for the kids. These workshops are FREE and the kids make a project they’ll get to take home. Check the schedule on each stores website for details.
Thanks to 95.5 Fish listener Joya Hart for contributing some awesome ideas! If you have fun frugal ideas to share send us a message on our Facebook page.