Wondering how to have fun this summer on a budget? Here is a checklist of thirteen inexpensive family activities – one for each week of the summer - that appeal to children and adults of all ages.

Go Bowling
If you haven’t been to a bowling alley in a while, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. The plastic seats, greasy French fries and grimy bowling shoes of years past have been replaced with cushy sofas, high-end cuisine and…well, the shoes are still pretty grimy. Two local favorites are Lucky Strike Lanes (bowlluckystrike.com) and Strike Bethesda (bowlmor.com).

Draw with Chalk
Even big kids will enjoy a giant game of tictac- toe or hangman on the driveway. Trace your outline, draw a never-ending hopscotch board (complete with squares full of hot coals) or host a ‘draw your favorite celebrity’ contest.

Watch Airplanes Land
Officially named “Gravelly Park,” but unofficially known as, “the park at National Airport where you can go deaf from jet engines flying 100 feet over your head,” this outing is for anyone who is amazed by the concept of flight. The park also has ample space for cycling, Frisbee throwing, boating, jogging, dog-walking and picnicking.

Wash Your Car
Here’s your chance to pull a Tom Sawyer on your kids. Hook up the hose, fill a bucket with soapy water and let the fun begin. You’ll all end up wet and happy – and with the money you saved, you can treat everyone to ice cream.

Attend a Concert
To see incredible performances for free, visit The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage every night at 6:00 pm (no tickets required). Or check out kid-band Rocknocerous’ Family Happy Hour (“buy a beer, get a free juice box”) at Jammin Java (jamminjava.com).

Feed the Ducks
Find a quiet bench near a pond or lake and enjoy tossing stale bread to the ducks. You will be instantly transported back to feeling like a kid. Or like a really old lady.

See a (Free) Movie
Did you know that Wegmans (Woodbridge, Dulles and Leesburg locations) host Friday movie nights for kids? Did you know that Regal Cinemas offers free G/PG-rated movies each Tuesday and Wednesday morning during their Regal Family Film Festival? If you’d rather watch at home, sign up for a free trial a t Neflix.com.

Host A Trivia Brunch
Fire up the waffle maker and invite your friends over for trivia. Visit triviachamp.com for questions and competition ideas.

Shoot Hoops
You probably drive by dozens of basketball courts every day…at the park, the gym, the local elementary school, the YMCA. Head over to the nearest courts for an hour of 1-on-1 and H-O-R-S-E.

Jump in Pudd les
Who says rainy days are no fun? Put on your Wellies and head outside to stomp around in the rain. (Author’s Note: This one was enthusiastically suggested by my three-year-old son.)

Visit the National Zoo
Even though Tai Shan is gone, our National Zoo is still a family favorite. Visit 400 different species of animals, enjoy the interactive Kids’ Farm, hike the Zoo’s 163 acres or visit in the evening on July 22, 29 and August 5 to enjoy the “Sunset Serenades” series of free concerts.

Fly a Kite
Visit a local park and show off your kiting skills to your kids. Or, if you’re like most novice kit flyers, show off your running-whilelooking- backwards, swearing and untangling skills.

Volunteer as a Family
Have your child read their favorite story to a sick child in a hospital, create a comfort quilt or care package for an overseas soldier, play checkers with a lonely senior…these are all ways families can spend time together while helping others. For family volunteering ideas, visit familycares.org/projects.

---

Chris Croll was a corporate executive for 15 years before putting her career on hold to stay home with her two sons. Five years later, she is beginning her ‘third act’ as a professional writer. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .