This article is contributed by Heather Johnson, who regularly writes on the topic of business credit. She invites your questions and writing job opportunities at her personal email address: heatherjohnson2323 at gmail dot com.

Many people are gearing up for a summer vacation, particularly those with children who will be out of school soon. However, vacations are far from cheap and gas prices are making road trips even more daunting than usual. If you find yourself bored this summer or — even worse — if you have a bored child who is clamoring for something to do, try the 10 free activities below.

1. Play in the Park – Even if you don’t have children, there are plenty of activities at your local park. You could enjoy a walk, play some sports and even have a go on the swing set (come on, you still love it).

2. Swim at the Lake / Beach – If you live near a lake or are lucky enough to have a beach nearby, you can usually swim for free at either one. Why pay for entry to a neighborhood pool when you can enjoy some natural (and free) water?

3. Take a Daily Walk – While a daily dose of exercise isn’t everyone’s idea of fun, a walk can provide some much-needed fresh air to those of us who are stuck inside all day. Oh, and the exercise really can’t hurt you.

4. Hang Out With Friends – Hey, your friends probably already know you’re a frugal person. So, why not invite them over to just hang out? It is hard to be bored when you are surrounded by good company.

5. Play Board Games – Whether you do this with family or with some friends you invite over, board games can be a lot of fun. More importantly, you probably already have quite a few in the closet, so they won’t cost you a dime.

6. Volunteer Your Time – If you are bored and are trying to save money, you should volunteer some time to charity. This will take care of your boredom and will remind you that some people have it much worse. Karma points are always a good thing, too.

7. Visit Your Family – Is your mother putting guilt trips on you because you never visit? Drive out there and stay for a while. You can probably score some free food while you’re there, which saves you some money.

8. Be Creative – Both drawing and writing are cathartic ways to pass the time and can be done for free. You don’t have to be a genius, just have fun with it.

9. Start a Blog – There are many sites that let you start a free blog, such as Wordpress, Blogger and Tumblr. Whether you are writing a personal blog or one that you would like to monetize, it is always a good way to spend your time.

10. Go to the Library – Not only is reading a lot of fun, the library offers many free cultural events, particularly in the summer. If you have children, this should definitely be a regular summer haunt for the family.

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