Zero-Budget Summer Staycation

CEBU, Philippines - An average Filipino household has an income of around P22-thousand per month. That amount of money is just enough to cover the family’s daily expenses. It is generally not enough that parents are forced to get cash loans in order to get everything covered.

Now, it’s been weeks since the start of summer vacation. The kids are probably starting to get bored staying inside the house all day. It could be a bit annoying to parents when the little ones start insisting about going to the beach or water park. Such leisure activities can be really expensive and parents will have a hard time squeezing those in a tight budget.

Fortunately, the family may still have fun summer activities without having to spend way out of budget. There are ‘bonding’ activities that don’t cost extra but leave huge smiles on everybody’s faces jut the same.

Backyard Camping

There’s no need to go to an isolated mountain or island, if there’s no budget for that. The backyard is there to camp out at – for free. A camp-type tent may be set up and the family can stay there overnight. It’s a good way to let the kids get engaged with nature. The whole family can get involved together – from setting up the tent, to roasting marshmallows, sleeping under the stars, and cleaning up after. It is also a good way of giving the television and the computer a rest, and thus means savings in the electricity bill.

Making and Flying Kites

Flying kites is a popular recreational activity during summer. It’s a good idea for the family to pick. Everyone may get work on their own kites, instead of buying ready-made ones. This stimulates the kids’ creativity and also means savings on the family budget.

Old materials around the house may be used, such as old table covers and wires, to make into kites of original designs. The kids might discover their hidden talents in arts-and-crafts.

Crafting Unique Ice Candy Flavors

Ice candy is a Filipino favorite. And it can be made fun for the whole family as well. Kids and their parents may bond together in crafting their unique ice candy flavors.

They may make twists to the classic flavors by adding nuts, fruits, nutella or chocolate chips. There are a lot of ice candy recipes on the internet, for inspiration. Ice candy ingredients don’t require much budget; and if everyone enjoy the outcome, it may be peddled around the neighborhood for the kids to earn some income.

Playing Mini Games

Mini games can be a trip to memory lane for the parents and an exciting new memory for the kids. A simple mini game can be made more exciting if parents and kids place bets with each other. Parents may treat the kids to ice cream if the little ones wins or the kids may have to wash the dishes if they lose. Laughter is sure to fill the home as everybody gets excited in the little competition.

The important thing is for the whole family to have fun together. It doesn’t matter where that fun happens. And it does not have to cost anything.

Everyone’s most wonderful memories are mostly of those times they were having a fun time with their parents and siblings. The summer vacation is a good time for making those memories. And there’s nothing to get in the way of that! LorgieVillarin (FREEMAN)