Cheap Summer: Revere Beach National Sandsculpting Festival

Looking for something fun to do this weekend?  Head up to the North Shore to check out Revere Beach's National Sand Sculpting Festival.  All the details can be found on THIS LINK HERE.  BONUS:  Revere Beach is on the DCRs Park Passport checklist so kill two birds with one stone.  Holla for Roast Beef and Revere!


  

Cheap Summer: Go Camping

I'm not sure if camping is really as "cheap" as people say it is.  We like going camping but we have two boys so they dig that sort of thing.  There's just an element of camping that is really "vacationy" to me though.  There really is no "hustle and bustle" - you just go, set up your camp site and mostly relax the whole time.  For me, traditional vacations are filled with activities, eating out, and running the kids ragged to the point of meltdowns.  We don't really have that experience with camping and that's why I like it.

Camping ranges from extreme cheapness to seriously luxurious places.  For the most minimalistic (and cheap) experience, you can camp at a state park.  These sites are as low as $12 a night.  You can pick tent sites that are just a piece of land, a fire pit and picnic table.  We personally like to "step it up a notch" and splurge for the sites with water and electric.  This makes washing dishes and whatnot easy.  Plus, I need electricity to keep my cell phone charged and to plug in my Keurig for my morning coffee.

The "problem" with state parks is that they lack the amenities of private places.  Usually no pool, arcade, snack bar, activities, playgrounds, etc.  With two kids, it's just beneficial to have these things as distractions.  That's why we go private.

Real luxurious places offer extreme amenities:  Normandy Farms in Foxboro, MA and Yogi Bear in Sturbridge, MA are two examples of places with a ton to do.  These places can range in price from $40 a night upwards to $70+.

It's not as cheap as some people make it out to be, because, as time goes on, we have been adding things to our arsenal of camping stuff.  It's just getting bigger and bigger all the time:  3 person tent upgraded to an 8 person tent.  Keurig is a camping list MUST.  I think next year we'll add our folding table.  We have incorporated bringing a 10X10 canopy.  We got a camping stove last year.  Each year, the list grows and grows.  I want an RV for my 55th Birthday gift from the husband.  I'll be able to store lots of pink flamingos in that thing for display.

Find a campground that suits your needs by going to Go Camping America's LINK HERE.  If you like to take your camping up to beautiful tax-free New Hampshire, check out the site U Camp NH by clicking HERE.

Happy Camping People!

Cheap Summer: Houghton's Pond Cool Summer Fest

Saturday, July 28th

10am - 3pm

Houghton's Pond - Milton, MA

Water games, music, dance, live wildlife, pond exploration and free fishing.  Free equipment loans for fishing or bring your own.  Crafts, games and other wet and wild activities too.  

Thanks to the DCR for putting on the event!

Cheap Summer: Create Chaos

At a loss of what to do on a rainy or lazy day?  It's simple - just create some fun chaos with the crap you have.  It's easy.  We do it a lot.  Take your crap, scatter it all over and play with it.  Simple, cheap & fun.  No money spent on gas.  No money spent going out and about.  Just pure simple fun with the only cost being cleaning up said chaos.  

And yes, sometimes we store toys in beer boxes.  That's how pure white trash rolls.

Cheap Summer: Our DCR Park Passport Adventures

So I blogged about doing the DCR Park Passport program a few days ago.  My kids are on a mission to get the stamps in all the Boston Region to earn their free t-shirt.  I have to say - it's pretty cool so far.  Although we have spent some gas and time getting to some places - it's been a real motivator to get out there and check some new places out.  

We currently have knocked out 5 places and have 10 more to go.  I think we can do it this summer.  

If you decide to embark on this pretty cool adventure - just be sure to pack a backpack with snacks and water.  My kids are really into the "hiking" and "exploring" part - which is nice and stuff, but honestly, I'm not really a crunchy, "let's go on a hike" type of person.  I guess I'm becoming one of them - but I refuse - REFUSE to start packing granola.  That's just too crunchy for me.  

If you want to see my original post on the DCR Park Program, CLICK THIS LINK HERE.  

Cheap Summer: Free Event at Home Depot

The first Saturday of every month, Home Depot does their own version of Lowe's Build & Grow for the kids.  It's free.  It's fun.  It's the Home Depot way.

Saturday, July 7th will be the next event.  Your kid can build a truck.  Holla!  Quincy is fortunate enough to have 2 Home Depots within the city limits.  And a Lowe's.  And some Curry Hardware Stores too.  I guess many people in Quincy like doing home improvements.

For more information and to find a Home Depot near you, CLICK THIS LINK TO SEE WHAT YOUR LITTLE CHERUBS CAN MAKE FOR FREE.

Cheap Summer: Free Lego Events at the Store

I heard the line is ridiculously long and I have never been - but if you are a Lego freak, there is their monthly free event coming up on Tuesday, July 3rd at 5pm at the Braintree and other stores.  I will not be attending because I'm really popular and have plans for the 4th of July holiday.  Get all the details and information on other upcoming events by CLICKING THIS LINK HERE for the Lego Store.

This month's event is an olympic torch or something that looks like it. 

Cheap Summer: Hike Blue Hills

Milton/Quincy/Braintree/Canton/Randolph is home to this really big reservation called Blue Hills.  I recently took the kids on a little hike there.  There are a bunch of little hikes that the kids can do.  Parking is free and the place is pretty huge so it can be sort of intimidating.  Here are some quick hikes you can do if you need to get your kids out and about.  These are taken from the brochure "Ranger Tom's Suggested Hikes" that can be found at the headquarters and trailside museum.

From the Reservation Headquarters (located down the road from Houghton's Pond - at 695 Hillside St. in Milton)

Skyline Loop - 3 miles.  The entrance is right near the Reservation Headquarters.  The signs should say "North Skyline Trail".

Hancock Hill - .5 mile.  This is just a mini version of the Skyline Loop.  Start at the same starting point and stop at the first hill and come back.

Wolcott & Border Path - 2.5 miles.  Follow the Wolcott Path approx. 1/2 mile to the Five Corners intersection (five trails coverage).  Upon reaching Border Path (intersection 1135), turn right and continue to intersection 1175.  Turn right and follow the path past intersection 1178 and back to Wolcott Path.

From Houghton's Pond (pretty easy to find - it's on Hillside St.)

Houghton's Pond Loop - .75 miles.  Just walk around the pond.

Dark Hollow Loop - 2 miles.  Start at the little house there at Houghton's.  Walk toward the bathhouse. Follow the green dots which begin past the bathhouse and loop around the base of Tucker Hill.  Follow the green dots to the Skyline Trail (blazed in blue) and head uphill to the summit of Tucker Hill.

Buck Hill Loop - 3.5 miles.  From the Houghton's Pond house/bulletin board, follow the red dots toward the beach and bathhouse.  Follow the red dots over Breeze Hill to the intersection of the red dot and green dot trails.  Here you have the option following the red dot loop either direction.  Either direction will loop you back.  This is a pretty challenging course.

From the Trailside Museum (located on 138 just by the Canton line).  

Wolcott Path Loop - 2 miles.  Starts just north of the museum.  Follow the green dots starting at the bulletin board.

Great Blue Hill - 1 mile.  Follow the red dots just north of the museum at the bulletin board.

For more detailed information about the Blue Hills and all that jazz, CLICK THIS LINK HERE TO GO TO THE DCR SITE.

Cheap Summer: Storytime at CrewCuts

The first Wednesday of every month - head on over to Crewcuts at Derby Street Shoppes for a free Storytime from 11am-3pm.  Whoa!  That's a whole lot of story time!

Cheap Summer: Boston Harborfest (& cheap commuting tips)

Starting this Thursday (the 28th) and running through the 4th, Boston is putting on their yearly Harborfest.  Tons of activities and festivities - mostly free.  Some highlights include the 18th Annual Children's Day on Friday the 29th from 10am-3pm at City Hall Plaza.  There is also a parade at the USS Constitution at 6:45-8:30pm that day.  On Saturday, the Tall Ships start arriving in South Boston at 7am.  Great viewing of this can be had at Castle Island.  Although it comes at a price, the annual Chowderfest is Sunday the 1st from 11am-6pm.  Festivities wrap up on July 4th with Fireworks and concert at the Esplanade from 8pm-11pm.

Get the full schedule by CLICKING THIS LINK HERE.

Thinking of attending?  Try taking the T instead of driving.  Here's the prices for commuting in the Quincy/Weymouth/Hingham/Braintree area:

If you have a Charlie Card, rates are just $1.70 a ride from the red line in Quincy.  If you don't have a Charlie Card, just grab a Charlie Ticket for $2 a ride (when you buy at the kiosk, it gives you the option to load $5, $10 or $15 on a ticket - click "Other Amount" and do $4 or $8 depending on how many people you are paying to ride).  Kids under 12 ride for free.  Parking at Quincy Center is $7.  Save $2 and park at Wollaston for just $5.  If you are going on the weekend, you might be able to find free street parking in Quincy Center - or a little tip - the Harvard Vanguard Medical Building across from the Quincy Center T-station does not charge on the weekends.  So if you can handling walking a block and crossing a street, you can save $7 and park for free in Quincy Center.

If the commuter rail is more your thing, you can park at Weymouth Landing/East Braintree for $4, but since it's Zone 2, you are talking $4.75 a ride.

You can shell out more if you take the ferry - Hingham to Boston is $6 per trip (kids ride free).  Parking in Hingham is $3.  Quincy too is $6 per ride and parking is $3.  PLEASE NOTE:  Effective July 1st - rates for the ferries will increase from $6 to $8 per ride.

Those links there will give you more information about the cost and schedule.

Cheap Summer: Friendly's on Wednesdays

Want to treat your kids out to lunch?  Wait until Wednesday - where kids eat for only $1.99 at Friendly's.  This includes the drink and of course an ice cream treat.  It's not free, but every now and then you have to treat yourself.

Cheap Summer: Wollaston Beach

The kind people of "Friends of Wollaston Beach" host some nice events during the summer months at the beach and at the playground there on Quincy Shore Drive.

Although their summer schedule hasn't been posted yet, "Like" them on Facebook or check their website for updates as summer rolls around.

Cheap Summer: Playgrounds

When in doubt, take your kids to a playground!  Cheap, free fun.  There are many a playground all over - but here are my local favorites:

Quincy:  Wollaston Beach Playground on Quincy Shore Drive.  I love this playground because it's completely fenced in.  It's relatively clean.  There's many tables and benches and great views of Boston.  The only word of caution is you might want to pack a sweater and/or sweatshirt because it can be chilly - even on seemingly warm days.

Weymouth:  Kids Landing behind the Tufts Library on Broad Street.  Pretty good playground that includes two big play structures, a sandbox, and many swings.  Bonus is that you have the children's room right there if you need to use the bathroom facilities or if you need an "inside break" if it gets too hot.

Hingham:  Playground behind the Fire Station off Main St.  The parking lot to this great spot is actuality the driveway to the Fire Station on Main St.  The playground is behind the town hall.  This well thought out playground with many structures, mini houses, swings and a sandbox is a great spot.  The playground is completely fenced in.  There are also playing fields and a track next to it in case you want to bring a soccer ball or other fun activity.  Only con is that there is no public bathroom - they usually throw a port-a-potty up during the summer but trying to change a kid or help a kid in a port-a-potty can be pretty nasty.

Braintree:  The most awesomest of playgrounds is right on Route 37.  It's new and it's huge (it cost something crazy like $250K so of course it's going to be good).  Completely fenced in and tons of stuff for the kids to do.  I don't remember bathrooms there and because of it's awesomeness - can be rather crowded.  Nice backup spot is the playground at Hollis School.  Only con, once again is the lack of bathrooms.

Cheap Summer: Eat Out When the Red Sox Win

The Ninety-Nine Restaurants are still kicking strong with their Red Sox promo - kids eat free the DAY AFTER a Red Sox win.  The only "cost" is their drinks are not included in the "free" of this.  Drinks are typically $1.29 - so it's not a real back breaker.  Also, you only get one free kid meal per adult entree purchased.  So if you send your 3 kids out with your husband hoping they'll all eat for free - they won't.  Only one will.  But free is free and eating out is so good.

Thanks to the Ninety-Nine for this great promotion once again!

Cheap Summer: Events at Hingham's Library

Hingham Public Library is starting it's Summer Reading Program registration the week of June 25th.  Stop by to sign your child up.  When you sign them up, you'll receive their summer calendar that is full of story times, yoga, movies, a reptile show, ceramics and special concerts.

You can see their event calendar by CLICKING THIS LINK HERE.

Cheap Summer: Storytime at Tufts Library in Weymouth

Weymouth's Tufts Library is hosting a Storytime every Monday at 10am starting on July 2.  This is a drop in event that requires no registration.  This is good motivation to do your summer reading list there.  They're giving out prizes and everything for kids who read over the summer.  It's in the form of a raffle so you might not get a prize - but it will help the wee little ones with their reading.

Also - you can register your child to have a 'Book Buddy'.  This helps your little one continue to learn to read or just read and also helps a local teen in helping your little one.  A win-win situation.  This Book Buddy program is held on Tuesdays - contact the library to set up a time for your little one.

Cheap Summer: Lowe's Build & Grow

Lowe's provides a great activities for kids every other Saturday at 10am - and this continues throughout the summer.  The next build event is this Saturday at 10am.

Check out the COMPLETE SUMMER SCHEDULE and register your kids through this LINK.

Thanks Lowe's!  You're grrrrrreat!

Cheap Summer: Serenity Garden at Derby Street Shoppes

Cheap Summer: Musical Nights at Derby Street Shoppes

Go get your glam on and hang out at the Derby Street Shoppes.

Cheap Summer: Barnes & Noble Storytimes

We're blessed with a Barnes & Noble in both Braintree and Hingham here in the "Northern South Shore" - so why don't you check out a free story time sometime this summer?

There are a couple a week.  CLICK ON THE LINK TO FIND EXACT TIMES AND DAYS for the Story time that will best suit your needs.