The days are hot and long, the kids are out of school and everyone is looking for something fun to do that won’t burn holes in their pockets. Here are nine budget-friendly ways to have fun with the whole family this summer!
1. Get spicy at the Sun and Salsa Festival. This annual festival takes place on July 24, 2011, on 10th Street in Kensington, and it’s an exciting event for the whole family. Spend the day tasting over 40 different salsas (and vote for your favorite!), listening to fabulous Latin music, watching beautiful dancing, and shopping in the trendy shops or at the vendors set up throughout the festival. Head to the Children’s Carnival Zone for family-friendly fun for all ages! Go to www.visitkensington.com/sun-and-salsa for more information.
2. Stampede on a budget. Take advantage of Value Days at the Calgary Stampede and save more than a few bucks! Head to the grounds on Sunday, July 10, 2011, for Suncor Energy Family Day, and get free admission for the whole family from 6 to 9am. Plus, the first 20,000 people get a free breakfast in the Grandstand Courtyard. Wednesday, July 13, 2011, is BMO Kid’s Day, and all kids 12 and under, as well as accompanying adults, receive free entry between 6 and 9am and a free breakfast. While it may seem early, the head start will give you and your family a chance to avoid the long lines, crazy crowds and, of course, the high admission costs. Save even more money by arriving prepared: pack a backpack with water, sunscreen and an assortment of healthy snacks, and you’ll avoid making unexpected purchases.
3. Give back. When the carefree days of summer start to turn into the “Mom, I’m bored” days of summer, it’s time to switch it up a bit. Get the whole family involved in activities that are different from the everyday by signing up for an exciting volunteer opportunity that will not only be fun, but will also teach valuable life lessons to kids and parents alike. Head to www.volunteercalgary.ab.ca and browse available positions; examples of volunteering opportunities include: plant counting in the parks, event planning and assistance, wrangling knapweed in Waterton National Park and visiting seniors.
4. Bake for a cause. While on the topic of giving back, it’s always good to make a point of helping others in need - and in the wake of all of the tragedies that have occurred in recent months (like the earthquake in Japan), there is plenty of reason to start helping out. So, instead of setting up a lemonade stand on a hot summer day, get the whole family in the kitchen and start baking! You can charge more than you would for lemonade, and then donate the raised funds to the charity of your choice. Want to go bigger? Organize a neighborhood bake sale; have each family donate one or two dishes, and get your kids to make signs to put up around the neighborhood.
5. Stay camping. You don’t have to go out of town to go camping - look no farther than your own backyard! You can have just as much fun and spend as much quality time with your family as you would at a campground, but this way, you can avoid excessive fees and high gas prices. Just be sure to keep the experience authentic - no phones, electricity or other conveniences (though it is nice to have a working toilet!). Cook all of your meals over an open fire, tell ghost stories, sleep under the stars; there are few activities better than camping that will allow you to truly bond with the people you love. Bonus: it’s free!
6. End-of-the-day deals. One of the best parts of Calgary in the summertime is the sheer amount of farmers’ markets. You can go practically anywhere in the city and pick up a variety of local produce, baked goods, meat and more! It can, however, get a little pricey (though, when compared, many things are actually less expensive than grocery stores), but there are ways to avoid excess costs. First, make your rounds. Don’t stop at the first stall and buy everything you need, because different vendors charge different amounts. Second, show up fashionably late. Toward the end of the market day (about half an hour before closing), many vendors will offer deals on perishable products. Lastly, buy produce toward the end of its season - you’ll be able to get caseloads for a fraction of the cost of the same items at a grocery store.
7. Splash around outdoors. Skip the indoor pools while the weather is nice and take advantage of one of Calgary’s many outdoor swimming pools. They tend to have lower admission prices, and provide a fun change of pace. Visit www.calgaryoutdoorpools.ca for a list of locations. Alternately, head to one of the City’s splash pads or wading pools for an exciting, free way to cool down; visit www.calgary.ca and search for ‘Wading Pools and Spray Parks’ for locations.
8. Paint nature with nature. Create a truly unique painting by skipping the brush! Take the family on a nature walk and pick up a few items along the way, such as blades of grass, a few leaves and small flowers. Put some non-toxic acrylic paint in a deep plate and water it down slightly. Dip a cotton ball in the paint and blot the color onto one side of the grass, leaves or flowers, and then press (paint-side down) onto the paper. Encourage your kids to use a variety of items and colors for their paintings, and to try something new each time.
9. Tweet and get deals. With so many deal sites popping up (think Groupon, Living Social and Team Buy), it’s tough to know which ones to sign up for. If you sign up for too many, your inbox will be packed; if you don’t sign up for enough, you could be missing out on great deals. Find a balance by following these different sites on Twitter. If you haven’t already, start a Twitter account; not only will you receive alerts about Calgary deals (follow as many deal sites as you want without getting emails), but you can also follow Calgary’s Child (@calgaryschild) and find out about cool contests, events and articles.
Stephanie is a freelance writer specializing in travel and food writing. For more information, visit www.stephaniearsenault.ca.
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