Mom, I’m bored!

Dreading the summer doldrums? Readers of the Parents Council blog offer tips for free or low-cost family outings:

•Hike in Riverside State Park, Tubbs Hill in Coeur d’Alene or the bluff on the South Hill

•Spend a morning at the public library

•Go to the pools, any of the lakes or to the fountain at Riverfront Park

•Learn about plants at Gaiser Conservatory in Manito Park

•Pick fruit at Greenbluff

•Watch free movies at the Garland or Spokane Valley Mall theaters (www.garland theater.com or www.spokanevalley mall.com for info)

•Hold a penny carnival in the garage. Set up little stations – bean bag tosses, fortune telling with a magic 8-ball, etc. – and charge everyone a penny to participate

•Set up a lemonade stand

•Check out local pet stores like Northwest Seed and Pet – they have puppies and kittens for the kids to pet as well as more exotic animals to visit

•Look for fast food restaurants that have ice cream treats for under a dollar – the ones with play structures for the kids give more bang for your buck

•Buy a low-cost sprinkler for hours of water fun

•Hold a backyard scavenger hunt

•Grab the sunscreen and go to Shadle Park’s water playground

•Explore area bookstores. Many offer storytimes and free activities

•Explore Turnbull Wildlife Refuge (http:// turnbull.fws.gov)

•Take the kids to vacation bible school – dozens of local churches host them and they’re usually free

•Camp out in your backyard. Have a marshmallow roast in the barbecue

•Let the kids be bored so they can figure out their own fun

Got a tip to share? Join the conversation at s-r.com/ blogs/parents.