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Parenting Tips
Great Summer Fun to
Fill the Lazy Days of Summer…
By Angela Porcelli
School is over and visions of a
relaxing, schedule free summer hang on the horizon. The thought of
being free from scout meetings, soccer practices, spelling tests,
homework, dance classes and the myriad of other activities my
daughter signs up for, has me counting down the days until summer
begins. Then reality sinks in. My children will be home for two
and a half months and I have no scheduled activities for them and
no real game plan to keep them occupied. My relaxing visions of a
schedule free summer suddenly turn into a nightmare. All I can
picture now is the repeating phrases “Mom, I’m bored!” and
“there’s nothing to do”.
After the panic subsides I start
looking for activities to keep my girls entertained while sticking
to our modest one income budget. Thankfully the Tampa Bay area is
filled with free and inexpensive family activities.
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The beach is a good way to spend time
outside with the kids. Pack a picnic lunch and buckets and enjoy
the Florida sunshine.
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Check your county’s parks and
recreation website to find out about events happening at your
local park. Extension programs through city parks range from
family cooking classes to green living. Hillsborough county
http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/, Pinellas county
http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/default.htm
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Lowe’s and Home Depot offer free kids
building workshops where kids can learn to hammer, sand, and put
together various kid friendly projects.
https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com or
http://www.homedepot.com
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Check out your local library’s website
for special summer programs. Many libraries offer a variety of
summer activities including reading clubs, drama clubs,
sleepovers, and movies.
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The Tampa Bay Rays are partnering with
local libraries for the Reading with the Rays program. Through
this program children are rewarded for reading throughout the
summer with Tampa Bay Rays prizes such as folders, pencils, and if
enough books are read a free Rays ticket. Check your local paper
or the children’s department at your local library for the reading
log and official rules.
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Borders reward children for reading
throughout the summer with the Kids Reading Challenge. When your
child has read 8 books simply fill out the Kids Reading Challenge
form and bring it to any Borders or Waldenbooks for 50% off select
items.
http://www.borde9rs.com/online/store/MediaView_summerreadingkids
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Children with an A (E for young
students) on their report card can paint for free at Pottery Bears
and Beads.
http://www.everyonesanartist.com/givingback.php
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Chuck E. Cheese gives children up to
15 free tokens if they have a good report card.
http://chuckecheese.com/promotions/tokens.php
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Liberty Lanes is awarding children
between $100 and $350 worth of free bowling if they bring in a
report card with Cs and above. Awards amounts are based on the
student’s ending GPA.
http://libertylanesbowling.com/Pages/Open%20Bowling/goodgrades.html
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Seminole and Sunrise Lanes are giving
students a free game of bowling for every A they have on their
final report card. For more details call Seminole Lanes at
392-2271 or Sunrise Lanes at 522-2174.
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Xtreme Fun Center awards students on
the Honor Roll or Principal List with free laser tag, batting
cages, or arcade games.
http://xtremefuncenter.com/specials.php
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Starting in June, the Mote Aquarium
will give students in K-12 who received an A in science free
admission with a paying adult.
http://www.mote.org/index.php?src=events&srctype=detail&category=Events&refno=1680
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Regal Theaters will begin its Free
Family Film Festival in June. Every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 am
families can choose one of two free films being shown.
http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx
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Cobb Theaters will show free family
films every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 10 am.
http://www.cobbtheatres.com/kids_film_fest/grove16.html
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Seminole 8 Theaters offers new movies
for $3.75 on Tuesday. Call 727-391-6666 or check Fandango for
movie listings and times.
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On July 19th Lowry Park Zoo will be
holding its summer $5.00 admission day.
http://www.lowryparkzoo.com/calendar_events.php
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If you have a birthday during the
summer take advantage of either Disney’s or Lowry Park Zoo’s free
admission on your birthday program for Florida residents.
With so many different activities
available, beating summer boredom should be a piece of cake.
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