Hudson Valley Parent

is always a trip to Lawrence Farm for strawberries and peas." D'Amato says the trip to the farm is her family's official kick-off to summer. "We always have a new goal in mind. Last year we tried to learn to ride bikes. This year we are going to learn to swim in our new pool," says D'Amato. Make time for the family Kids will remember the smallest things forever and summer is a great opportunity to spend time with them. Laura Licata Sullivan is a mother of three, a freelance writer and autism activist. She lives in Campbell Hall with her family. GRAB AN ITALIAN ICE! Keep cool this summer with great frozen treats! hvparent.com/two-scoops 8 ideas for family fun Looking for summer fun the entire family will enjoy? 1. Plant a fall garden. Let your children decide what you will grow. 2. Go to the park. Swing alongside the kids. Don't forget to tilt your head back! 3. Make homemade ice cream. Have a contest to see who can make the biggest sundae with all the trimmings. 4. Count the stars. Don't stop there, look for shapes in the clouds and tell old family stories. 5. Go bike riding. After dinner gather the family and get a quick bike ride in before bed. 6. Watch the sunrise. Get up early to greet the sun or stay up late to watch the sunset. 7. Slip 'n Slide. Run through the sprinkler system together. 8. Catch fireflies. See who can catch the most! Have a blast without breaking the bank 1. Don't charge summer activities. If a vacation or camp doesn't fit into your budget, it just doesn't fit. You should only utilize debt to make investments in things that gain value, such as real estate, a business or an education. If you can't pay cash for trips or activities, don't do it or buy it. 2. Factor in hidden costs. When you're trying to decide whether you can afford a vacation, factor in all the hidden costs. Before you reserve your hotel, make a list of all the expenses you may have overlooked. The cost of a vacation is not just hotel and airfare… it's also the new swimsuits you may have to buy, the gas you'll burn driving around in the rental car, the cost of boarding your pets and the cost of developing all the pictures you take while away. 3. Vacation close to home. You don't need to put the entire family on an airplane and fly thousands of miles away to have a fun time. Airfare is expensive and so is the rental car you'll need once you get to your destination. If you're looking for a fun place to go on one tank of gas, MyFamilyTripPlanner.com has you covered! Once on the site, you can choose from hundreds of places to go, things to do and restaurants right here in the Hudson Valley! 4. Be smart. No matter where your family goes or what they do to have fun together, you can cut costs. Beat the heat at your local ice cream shop! If you're looking to escape the heat, grab the kids and a little cash and head out to one of these great seasonal ice cream stands in the Hudson Valley! Bellvale Creamery. 1390 Rte. 17A, Warwick. 845-988-1818. Cherry Top Dairy Bar. 949 Rt 32 Newburgh. 845-564-6340. Coneheads. 1049 Little Britain Rd, New Windsor. 845-567-0552. Crumb. 157 Main St., Beacon. 845-765-8080. Del's Dairy Crème. 6784 Rte. 9, Rhinebeck. 845-876-4111. Fiddle's Dari-King. Exit 98 on Rt 17, Parksville. 845-292-4169. Gio's Gelato. 31 Pike St., Port Jervis. 845-858-4467. The Jolly Cow. 1620 Rte. 9W, Lake Katrine. 845-336-6090. Mr. Cone. Rte. 17M, Monroe. 845-783-7002. Wally's. 685 St. Rte. 17M, Monroe. 845-782-5656. MORE SHOPS HVParent.com Hudson Valley Parent 25

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