Summer's last days: beat the heat without breaking the bank - MetroFamily Magazine
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Summer's last days: beat the heat without breaking the bank

by Callie Collins

Reading Time: 2 minutes 

Oklahoma City family fun is still in full swing. 

Summer days are fading, though. School starts Aug. 1 for many students, a little later in the month for others. 

At our house, we've checked off almost everything on our bucket list, seen and done all that there is to see and do on Independence Day, seen summer movies and sampled ice cream sundaes. July's last days feel fast somehow, even as the sun still stays out until late enough to find everyone in the nightly neighborhood hide-and-seek. 

New lists will soon replace our family's summer fun ideas and tally of which ice cream flavors remain. Back-to-school shopping is on everyone's mind, with clothes and shoes and books and supplies to purchase. Before we turn that corner and throw ourselves into the task of finding exactly which plastic pencil box meets the requested dimensions, it's time to end summer break in a way that's less precise. Making summer memorable also doesn't have to break the bank; there are definitely inexpensive activities to do together and ways to save.

Here are three ways to leave summer behind in a way your kids will remember. Each has an exclusive discount just for MetroFamily readers too.

  • Do Slide the City: Remember Slip 'n Slides? Slide the City is similar but way more fun. It's a community experience; think 1,000 feet of water and vinyl in downtown Oklahoma City with a festival atmosphere that includes food and live music. If your kids are age 5 or older, check it out. You can enter to win tickets here on MetroFamily's contest page and you get 20 percent off just ticket purchases just for entering. Saturday, July 30 is the big day, so it'd definitely make the list of "cool things I did this summer" when your kid goes to school on Monday.
  • Try RIVERSPORT Rapids: Downtown OKC's latest family attraction has some cool new elements. My middle child is 4 and I know he's going to love being out there on the water when he's just a little bit older. Get a $10-off coupon with our Kids Pass here.
  • Stay out of the heat at Dust Bowl Lanes: Lanes are discounted until Labor Day to $15 per hour. What I love about Dust Bowl Lanes is that it's not your granddad's bowling alley; the place is cool, smoke-free and has a vintage vibe that's fun for families. The facility is bright and clean, with food for purchase from Fassler Hall. It's a great activity for kids with very different ages. My oldest is 9 and he was just as entertained as Isaac, 4. MetroFamily readers bowl for free on Mondays be presenting a receipt from McNellie's. Click here for more info.

If you're still looking for summer fun this season, check out MetroFamily's guides here. 

Enjoy these last free days! 

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