Summer Activities and Preschooler

It would be nice to have an activity or place to visit each day.

Check out local libraries in your area, they often have programs, or just stop by on a rainy day.

Check with your local park & rec, sometimes they have summer activites for free or a very small fee.

I think a membership to the zoo would be fantasic.

Some theaters in our area offer a free day, or minimal addmission like a $1 or $2 for a special showing of an older movie.

Do you have a park or playground nearby? Be sure to visit several times a week.

You could go out to a restaurant (even if it's McDonald's) once a week for lunch or just a little snack.

If you go to the park, library or just sign up for a few low cost mommy-and-me type classes you will probably meet some other moms, and then you can make plans to get together with them. It's WAY better being home with a kid all day when you have some other adults to hang out with, and your daughter will get some playmates as well :)

What are you near? Library, Park, etc.? Many libraries and/or local parks have storytime hours or other activities. See what they are offering. Pick a different theme each week...animals (or a specific family or type of animal), solar system, beach, automobiles, etc. Check out some books on the subject of the week, read the books, watch a related movie, do some fun activities and/or crafts, seek out that item or animal. She'll be entertained, have fun, and be learning at the same time.

They don't need complicated things.
If she or you have friends with kids, have play dates.
Kids also like "routines" and they get accustomed to it pretty quickly.
Everyday, have a "schedule" or routine.
My son at that age LOVED when only he and I would have breakfast together after taking my older daughter to school. Because it was just he and I. That alone time with me, was what he enjoyed.
Then we'd go home and he'd help me "wipe" tables and while I did the chores.
Then we went to the park.
And on other days the library.
And on other days, collected stuff in our yard and made things with it just gluing it to paper.
And on other days we colored together and made "art." Or painted rocks.
Or I would get some spices together, sprinkle some in a dish and have him smell it and I would tell him what spices they were. Then, I would have him guess which it was by having his eyes closed.
Then it would be nap time.

Kids also need runaround time. At this age. Just physical stuff.
Play ball, by tossing or kicking it to each other. Playing tag. Playing Simon Says etc.

Have simple crafts for her to do. Or decorate and play with big boxes. Kids love that.
Or hide like 5 objects under a towel. Let her look at the objects then have her close her eyes. Then while she is doing that, take 1 object away. Then take the towel away and have her look at the objects and guess, which one is missing.

Make a "path" in your home, with pillows or wash cloths... then let her scamper around the house, just by hopping from pillow to pillow or washcloth to washcloth. Kids love that.

Just think of anything. Main thing it is fun. And it does not have to cost money. I did things like this with my son and daughter when that age.
We would also just lay out on a blanket in the yard and stare up at the sky and I would teach them about clouds/their names and pretend where they might be going. Imagination stuff. Its a good thing.

But yes, kids like routines. Tell her everyday what you might be doing. Kids like to know and they look forward to it. Even it is just something simple.

-picnic in the park
-zoo trips. a few times. don't buy the pass if money is tight
-swimming at a nearby community pool or swim lessons!!
-tea party
-scavenger hunt in your backyard. hide toy keys, balls etc
-make a mini carnival in your backyard. keep it simple. fashion booths
from painted cardboard
-bowling in your backyard w/those plastic kid toy sets
-finger painting
-library for reading time
-check your local toy stores for any type of scheduled "fun time"
-mall for their indoor play-yards

I'm confused. You said "money's tight," but want to pay for day camp, zoo membership, and a public pool membership. You really don't have to worry about your daughter's social skills if she goes to preschool/daycare during the school year. She probably needs more "mommy time," which is a time when you and her can do things together and she can learn other skills. Kids need to learn a balance of being busy, socializing, and how to just relax/sit still/focus. If you have her do too much, she won't be able to sit still...a much needed skill for when she starts kindergarten. The best things you can do with her is to enjoy the summer with her....read books together, clean the house together, find things she can help you with when you cook, (like have her arrange fruit on a plate, cut tubes of cookie dough with dental floss...) go to the park together and blow bubbles, got to the playground, etc.

I am always looking for things to do with my 11 month old and have found some great resources.

1. Meetup.com has wonderful mommy groups who do all kinds of great trips particularly for women who aren't who are available during the week. It includes free library and bookstore story times for toddlers, playdates on beaches and parks, and playdates in various homes and playgrounds. Just go to meetup.com, put in your zipcode and the word mommy or family and you will get a list of groups in your area.

2. I dont' know where you are located but if you are in westchester county ny or the bronx, there is a place in Tarrytown called 'The Parents Place'. It holds programs 5 days a week for children under 5. The building has play stations where children can find interesting things to do including painting, leggos, sand play, books, dressup, play kitchen. That's for an hour and then they do story time and music and dancing, snack time, and then parent groups where you can watch your kids play and talk with other parents about various topics. It is wonderful program.

There are also children's museums like Stepping Stones or Manhattan childrens museum (not as good) that provide memberships and have fantastic programs, puppet shows, science exhibits etc.

I'm also getting a membership to Bronx Zoo also. That should be fun!

Good Luck.

Check into storytime at the local library for a great weekly activity. In summer, a lot of libraries do special programs too, like magic shows, puppet shows, etc. It's all free and it will provide some nice structure to the day. Some bookstores and Pottery Barn Kids stores also free offer weekly storytimes.

Look into your local MOMS Club (www.momsclub.org) and try to connect with other moms in your neighborhood. You can probably find a playgroup with kids the same age. Look into local meetup.com groups too for fun get togethers at parks, pools, etc.

Look into classes through the local community center. They are usually a lot cheaper than classes offered through private companies.