Ah, the endless cry of summer, “What are we going to do today?” If the whole budget conscious “stay-cation” is already getting old and the whine of boredom is settling in, then join the crowds who are having the “What can we do for free or cheap?” conversation.

The best thing about this conversation is that because everyone seems to be affected by the economy, adults and kids alike are talking about it, asking everyone from their friends to their accountant to their twitter community for advice. And people are willing to participate, to help, and to listen to a new voice – anyone’s voice. There is no fear of being snubbed or feeling awkward about asking for, searching for, and talking about the best deals or how to save a few bucks. If the economy has done one good thing, it has leveled the playing field of where and from whom we are willing to get new information.

As the desperate cries of my summer camp-less kids have grown louder, I sent out an SOS signal to my many varied communities. What I learned about the free or cheap activities in and around The Valley should provide a refreshing break, free air conditioning, and the elusive endless free water from public water fountains, which I have yet to ever allow my kids to drink from, but there is always a first time for everything. This is the summer of true “Free”- dom.

The kids may be reluctant, having grown up at Barnes and Noble, Ultrazone and Jumping Genius, but your local library and city park and rec centers offer lots of free things to do. From book readings to music programs to open play gymnasiums, these community resources are a veritable bastion of free entertainment. Pack some lunch, make a few calls and voila! you have an impromptu potluck party outdoors – just like grandma and grandpa used to do. Life really does come full circle.

Do a little research on the web ahead of time and create a “scavenger hunt” for items and information tailored to your family’s interests then hit the museum circuit. An obvious source of free entertainment, this can make museums feel new again to those who have seen them one too many times on school field trips. The Getty, the Science Center, and the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust are free everyday; the Museum of Modern Art is free every Friday from 4-8pm; the California African American Museum is free every first Sunday of the month; the Natural History Museum is free the first Tuesday of the month, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is free the second Tuesday of the month.

Our kids have not grown up knowing what a drive-in movie is like, but they most certainly can know what movies in the park are like. For a wonderful sense of community, grab a blanket and a folding chair and head to Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills. There are trees to climb, grass to run around on and even a new play structure to turn into whatever your imagination desires. On Saturdays an outdoor family movie plays in the park at dusk and is the next best thing to star gazing. Sundays showcase some wonderful well-known and local music groups with free concerts in the park.

In the east valley, The Starlight bowl in Burbank offers outdoor music concerts on Sunday evenings at 6.30pm complete with a grassy play area, comfy seating and an opportunity to lounge about and converse with others in the beautiful breezy valley evenings. If the heat gets to be a bit too much to bear, The Grove in Los Angeles also plays some all-time favorite movies under the stars every Thursday at 8pm. 

For indoor movies and daytime air-conditioning, Regal Entertainment Group, of which the Calabasas Edwards Grand Palace Stadium is a part, offers a free family film festival. Since 1991 (who knew?) Regal has provided free showings at 10 am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays of select G and PG movies. For nine weeks during the summer, seats are available on a first come, first-served basis.

The Orange Line bus and the Metro (a.k.a Los Angeles Subway) are a full day of fun on the cheap. Buy a day pass for both and explore the city – there are enough stops and ‘must sees’ to exhaust even the most restless adventurer. After all, people do come here to vacation for a reason. It’s time you and your kids find out why.

Free food! Feed your hungry kids at no cost after your museum trips, movie adventures, or days of exploration. Many restaurants offer free kids meals on various days and times – Tuesday’s at Islands and Wednesdays at Maria’s Italian Kitchen. Tony Roma’s, Carrows, Ruby’s Diner, Denny’s, IHOP and Fuddruckers, all with locations around the valley, have kids eat free promotions. Check their websites for specifics and you could be looking at a week without any heat in the kitchen.

As free and frugal have become hip words today, we are all looking for things to do with our kids that ensure all will be entertained. And when push comes to shove, we do live a short drive from the beach and a short drive from the mountains, both of which offer some of the most beautiful state parks in the country. Ultimately, summer is about taking a break together, making memories and connecting with others. I am grateful to have the kids around this summer (as opposed to being at camp all day, coming home exhausted and zoning out in front of the tube in the evening). Planning what we are going to do together, and experiencing the summer days together is a gift this year. And both the summer and the kids will be gone before I know it, so part of my plan is to truly, freely, enjoy it.