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It’s still summer, but school is right around the corner! So if you want to continue some summer fun on a budget while still encouraging the kids to learn and play, I’ve got some free summer fun you can take advantage of right in your home and around Nashville!
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I shared these tips on Talk of the Town on July 24, 2012, so if you watched the show and missed any of the details, here you go:
I wanted to make sure I accomplished a few very important things with my kids over the summer: learn more about music, get comfortable on the computer, teach them tennis and read more.
As a wife, blogger & mom who has never homeschooled (or thought anything of the sort was possible), my ideas for how to structure summer learning, yet make it fun, didn’t exactly come together as quickly as I would have liked. But then I discovered I could accomplish several of these objectives with just one program: QuaverMusic.com
I was excited to find this learning resources in our local community – QuaverMusic.com has developed a new program for teaching kids about music using the latest technology (and fun kids will appreciate!). Quaver himself is a bit of a mad scientist (think Bill Nye the science guy, but for music!) who is obviously passionate about passing on his love for music to kids. There is an entire DVD system designed for music educators and homeschool parents, but there are also amazing YouTube videos and free activities on their website where kids can not only learn about general music & theory, but also create their own music!
If you’re on the go but stuck inside, I’ve found that doing an App search on my smart phone will turn up a lot of great free educational games for school aged kids, including everything from Sight Words to Math games!
Of course, if you want to get the kids out of the house to learn and play, I’ve found a lot of great free summer fun around town too!
The Frist Center for the Visual Arts is always free for children 18 & under. If you are a Bank of America card holder, you can also get in free the first weekend of every month (same program applies for The Country Music Hall of Fame).
If you want to get outside, check out the great TN parks. If you want to cool off, head to the Cumberland Park splash pad downtown. To get in touch with nature, head to Edwin Warner park closer to Bellevue/Belle Meade and explore their free Nature Center (you can also get free guided tours with reservations).
If the heat’s got you beat and you want to continue learning about TN in air conditioning, head to the TN State Museum where the permanent exhibits and Military Museum are ALWAYS free! Of course, the TN Public libraries are offering great storytimes, concerts and more throughout the summer (just consult with your local branch). And don’t forget the fabulous puppet theater at the main branch downtown!
Do you have a budding fireman on your hands? Most fire stations will give tours with advance notice (and kids will usually get a cool fire hat & sticker too!)
*Monkey’s Treehouse in Bellevue is also free from 5:30-7pm tonight (July 24)
I’ll also be teaching a Savings Nation Grocery Workshop from 6:30-8pm tonight at Grace Christian Academy in Leiper’s Fork. For more information or to find out how to book your own workshop, contact me.
