Momcamp: Summer, Afternoon, and Weekend Activities for Families

The sun is shining. The birds are singing. School is here. As summer comes to an end, and us mamas are trying to limit technology as much as possible, you may be wondering how to enjoy your weekends and evenings after the children return from school without overwhelming your budget or yourself.

I want to make the most of the time with my kids without breaking the bank so I developed “Momcamp” – where we enjoy camp activities at home. Here are some camp activities you also can also use entertain your young ones in he evenings and on weekends.

1 – Scavenger Hunt

You can never go wrong with a neighborhood scavenger hunt for kids’ camp at home. It gets the children outside and gives them something to do while they are out. Scavenger hunts can aid your child in learning numbers, letters, and colors if they are at that stage in their development. Even if they already know, my own kiddos have enjoyed scavenger hunts for as long as I can remember and continue to enjoy them at ages 7, 9, and 10. I have linked a few freebies for you here:

1. Around the House Indoor Scavenger Hunt (for rainy days)
2. Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
3. Nature Scavenger Hunt
4. Selfie Scavenger Hunt
5. Photo Scavenger Hunt

2 – Field Trips to Free Local Attractions

What’s camp without field trips? New Orleans has many places that offer free admission for locals on certain days of the week. Google “free things to do in (insert your city here)” to find the local freebies in your area:

1. Zoo/Aquarium – Audubon Zoo and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas Orleans Parish Appreciation Days
2. New Orleans Botanical Gardens – free to Louisiana residents on Wednesdays
3. New Orleans Museum of Art – free to Louisiana residents on Wednesdays
4. Studio Be – Free on Wednesdays (students, educators and Louisiana residents)
5. Other New Orleans Free Attractions

3 – Water Play

Most water parks and splash pads are open through October. In addition, many splash pads cost nothing, and most children (including my own) love to play in the water. Weekend afternoons are ideal for parents to relax while the kids splash around. To find these water parks/splash pads in your area, simply enter the term “water park ___________” and enter your city in the blank or “splash pad _____________.” For South Louisiana, I enjoy taking my children to the following water parks.

1. BREC Splash Pads (Cost: FREE)*
2. Fontainebleau State Park Splash Pad ($3 per person)
3. Splash Pad at Mandeville State Park (FREE)
4. Liberty Lagoon ($12 per person – admission works from 10am-1pm or 2pm – 5 pm)
5. Cool Zoo at Audubon Zoo ($24.95 zoo entry fee + $10 Cool Zoo for adults without membership, $19.95 zoo entry fee + $10 Cool Zoo entry fee for kids ages 2-12; With Audubon Zoo membership, $10 per person)
6. Parc Des Familles Spray Park in Jefferson Parish on the Westbank (FREE)
7. Ormond Spray Park in St. Charles Parish (FREE)
8. St. Bernard State Park ($2 person 16 and older)

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What are some fun activities for families you do with your kids during the summer, on weekends, and in the afternoons?

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Check out some other pieces about budget friendly activities for families:

1. 30 Cheap At-Home Summer Activities
2. 15 Budget Friendly Activities
3. 20 Activities for Summer Fun in the Sun

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