Cash Strapped Summer? You Can Still Have Fun!

For many families this summer will be a time of stretched resources rather than carefree afternoons. However there are still many ways to enjoy the seemingly endless hours of daylight without spending a fortune.

Plant a wildflower garden - The State Department of Natural Resources encourages its citizens to plant native wildflowers and will often give away free packets of native seeds. You can check out their website for more information.

Learn your birds and/or frogs - what may seem like pleasant background music most evenings is actually a varied collection of both birds and frogs singing their unique songs. Learning to tell the difference takes a little effort but can be a fun experience for both you and your kids. Check out the USGS website for a primer on frog breeding calls. For bird calls there is the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to help you learn.

Form a neighborhood "Green Association" and make a pact to clean up your streets and garages. Have weekend recycle-thons where neighbors can get together to recycle and trade large items such as sofa's or exercise equipment. Help each other dispose of things like tires and computers properly and remember that many places will gladly take old cell phones for use in 3rd world countries, soldiers or just to keep certain materials out of landfills. Check out the EPA cell phone site for more information.

Got a great idea for summer fun that green and inexpensive? Let me know in the comments below!

Content also posted on Dancing to the Music in my Head.