Summer’s here! While your children must be thrilled, summertime often makes parents anxious. What will they do all day? How much will it cost me? Summer strikes fear in parents everywhere. What are you going to do to survive the summer?

• Check out the local community center. Centers all over the state offer low-cost programs for children of all ages.
• Visit the library. Not only can you check out some great reads, but you can also find great programs and even reading incentives.
• Free movies! Many local theaters offer free or low-cost movies on weekday mornings. Visit your local theater for more information.
• Take an at-home vacation. With the economic front as it is, it might be tough to get out of town for a family vacation. Why not take one at home? Grill some burgers and hot dogs, rent a movie, pop popcorn, camp out in the family room, and enjoy some great family time.
• Cruise the mall. If it’s too hot to play outside, enjoy some play time inside. Do some window shopping with air conditioning on someone else’s dime.
• Give the kids some online time. With school out, help your kids keep up their education by allowing them some well-supervised time on the Internet.
• Quiet reading time. When you’re burned out on play dates, television, and cleaning up toys, institute some quiet reading time. Why not make it a daily activity? Don’t forget that it’s great for adults too!

You don’t have to dread summer. Yes, it may be hot. And yes, it can be a challenge to keep the kids entertained on a daily basis. But think outside the box, and summer is sure to be great without breaking the bank.