Tips for a fun and stress-free summer

Get ready to make this summer a stress-free blast for you and your kids! As the school year winds down and the days get longer, it's time to create unforgettable family moments. In this blog article, we'll share valuable tips for a fun-filled and hassle-free summer. From summer camps to affordable family activities, we've got you covered. Get ready to enjoy every sun-soaked day with your kids and make this summer one for the books!

1. Summer camps 

The ability to have relaxed, schedule-free days at home depends on many factors, including your child’s ability to play independently or the parent’s desire to create a full day’s schedule of activities. 

Attending a day camp or overnight summer camp is a popular choice to get kids out of the house and immerse themselves in something they enjoy, like art, science, theater, sports, coding or other pursuits.

ActivityHero is a one-stop-shop for families to find local summer camps by child’s age, interests, or date. Some families enroll their kids into camp every week of the summer, while others may alternate weeks or pick a few days to do a drop-in camp like Phoenix Sports. 

Worried about the cost of camp? If your kids are under 13, summer day camps qualify for tax credits and dependent care flexible spending plans. You may also qualify for financial assistance at camp or apply for a scholarship with ActivityHero.

2. Summer vacation

Planning a summer vacation and traveling with the entire family can evoke thoughts of delight and stress at the same time. Whether you vacation at the beach, mountains or somewhere in between, you may be wondering how to prepare for a family vacation without packing up the whole house.

Once you decide where to go, making a packing list will make you realize that “traveling light” isn’t possible when you have kids. At the same time, the cost of bringing a car seat, pack-and-play and other kids gear as checked baggage is $30-40, and most airlines charge more for the second or third bag.

One way to lighten the load is to arrange to rent baby/kid gear from a service like BabyQuip. BabyQuip has Quality Providers in over 1,200 locations in the US, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and beyond. Local Quality Providers deliver full-size cribs, car seats, and anything else you need right to you, whether you are staying at a vacation rental, a hotel or resort, grandma’s house, or even want it delivered to the airport. BabyQuip says that full-size cribs are the #1 most rented item because “when a baby doesn’t sleep well on vacation, no one does!” 

3. Affordable family activities

While the days heat up, your family can stay cool at the movie theater for as little as $2 per person if you take advantage of the summer movie deals at Regal or AMC Theatres. The trick to getting the lowest price to go in the middle of the week during morning hours. These theaters feature a different movie every week, so check out the schedule to see what’s playing this week.

A unique family activity is to do an outdoor scavenger hunt from Puzzling Adventures. The company describes it as a cross between a scavenger hunt, an adventure race, and an informative self-guided tour of the city. 

Heading to a theme park? You can save money on tickets to the San Diego Zoo, Legoland, Sea World, Disneyland and other local attractions by purchasing your tickets in advance. Get access to theme park discounts on ActivityHero. 

With school out and the sun shining, your family is sure to create lasting memories and enjoy quality family time. Have a great summer!