I live for summer! The kids are out of school, the weather is beautiful, the farmer’s markets are up and brimming with tons of fresh produce, I don’t have to wear 42 layers, the list goes on and on. That being said, as a stay at home mom, if I keep my girls cooped up too much, they go nuts and in turn, so do I. (And my husband as well since he works from home!) So here is the ultimate list of things to do with your kids that won’t break the bank! This list is indicative to the South Metro Area and Denver Area but some of these things you can find no matter what city you live in. Just google that shit!

Parks: This one is a no brainer. Parks are free and everywhere. We live in Castle Rock so a few of our favorites include Matney Park, Gemstone Park, Wrangler Park, and Metzler Park. No matter where you live, there will be a park near you for quick and easy entertainment. If you’re a hermit like me, go early to avoid the crowds. If you want to meet new parents and potential future play dates, hit the parks up in the afternoon or late morning.

Swimming Pools: We have two in our neighborhood that we pay to use through our HOA and we LIVE there in the summer. My trick is to get there as early as fucking possible so we can have the pool to ourselves. (I am a introvert at heart.) So we get there around 7 and hang out until the kids get worn out. Plus, since we are the only ones there, I don’t feel bad letting my kids use their ridiculously large alligator float!

Adventure Pass: Douglas County has an Adventure Pass that includes FREE ADMISSION to a number of places. All you need is a valid library card! Their locations include things like: The Butterfly Pavilion, Denver Firefighter’s Museum, The Molly Brown House, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. You just pick a date you want to go and reserve it and can print the pass from your home printer. Last year we did the Denver Firefighter’s Museum with all the neighborhood kids and it was a blast!

Denver City Pass: Like the Adventure Pass mentioned above but it costs money and includes one-time admission to 3-5 attractions in Denver. Get it here.

The Denver Zoo: We have an annual membership to the Denver Zoo and utilize it A LOT during the summer. My best insider tips: Get there right when it opens to avoid heat stroke (and fucking crowds…are you sensing a theme here?) And pack your own snacks to keep costs down. My kids love the Tiger exhibit and like to feed lettuce leaves to the giraffes! We also like doing “Boo at the Zoo” during Halloween time where the kids get to trick or treat through the zoo and everyone dresses up in costumes. There’s also Brew at the Zoo for adults! If you want to head south to Colorado Springs you can check out Cheyenne Mountain Zoo as well but I prefer the Denver Zoo! Hot tip: Google which days are free admission if you want to get in for free. Hotter tip: Google which days are free admission, so you know when to stay the fuck at home.

Museum of Nature and Science: Now that we know our two and a half year old can sit through a movie, my goal is to take the kids to see an IMAX film this summer. But I’m a sucker for the Egyptian exhibit and the kids love the Discovery Zone there. Check out their current and permanent exhibitions here.

Children’s Museum: Now I need to flat out say that for someone who has kids, I generally have a strong distaste for other people’s kids. So crowded museums geared towards just children is kind of my own personal hell. But most people are better than I am in that regard, so check out the Children’s Museum of Denver.

Lollipop Park: This little gem is in Centennial in a place that I am fond of because I spent many summer nights there in high school playing mini golf and watching my friend Kathy’s hockey games. (It’s the old Family Sports Center off of Arapahoe Rd and Peoria.) They have a bounce house and rides now. It’s not ideal for older kids as the rides are definitely catered to kids 8 and under I’d say, but it’s great! There’s an arcade and a decent restaurant upstairs. Here is their website.

Local Festivals: My favorite one during the summer is the Lavender Festival at the Denver Botanic Gardens. This year it’s on July 20th from 9-5. We’ve gone that last couple of years and my kids love the pony rides and getting their faces painted. I love all the lavender products local artisans sell and my husband and I both enjoy the lavender beer. (Sounds disgusting I know, but it’s pretty amazing.) Adults are $7 each for non-members and kids under 13 years old are free.

Another big one is A Taste of Colorado which usually happens over Labor Day weekend. You and your kids can eat your way through!

Never underestimate of fun in your own backyard. Sidewalk chalk, bubbles, slip and slides and those cheap plastic pools from Target filled with water from the hose have given my girls HOURS of endless entertainment. It’s also handy on days when I just don’t want to deal with the fucking crowds. And on overcast days, I tend to go to Hobby Lobby a couple times a year and stock up on craft supplies and on those days we make our own slime, color, make cards, paint, play with play-doh and do anything artsy that keeps the kids amused and me sane. My husband bought this chalkboard spray paint and used it to paint one panel of our backyard fence with so that the kids can color with chalk on the actual fence.

These last two things are more for adults than kids, but helpful nonetheless:

Farmer’s Markets: My oldest daughter LOVES helping us pick out fresh produce from local farmers, and many of my summer menus revolve around what kinds of goodies we find at the farmer’s market. Along that note, my husband likes when we stock up on roasted green chiles to make chile rellenos and we buy them from a local guy that parks his truck on the side of the street near downtown Castle Rock. Not anything to do with the kids, but a good tip nonetheless! If you hit up the tiny farmer’s market off of University and Arapahoe Rd in the church lot, do yourself a favor and try the German/French pastry stand! Soooooo goooood!

For meals out: Check out Kids Eat Free. It lists restaurants where kids eat free depending on what day of the week it is! Plus when you take your kids to a kid friendly restaurant for a night out, no one second glances when they see corn getting chucked on the floor or see some kid losing their shit.

I hope this list is helpful to those of you who are having mild panic attacks wondering what to do with your kids all day during summer break!