3 Money-Saving DIY Ideas For Summer Vacation

Keeping the kids entertained and safely occupied, saving money AND enjoying some "me" time sounds almost impossible in the summer, huh?

Check out these three super-easy DIY tips!

1.  MAKE HOMEMADE ICE CREAM WITH COFFEE CANS -- No need for that big, expensive contraption you see in stores. Mix whole milk, whipping cream and sugar in a one-pound coffee can, seal it and put it inside a three-pound can. Pack ice and rock salt around the little can, seal the big can and roll it around on the floor 'til it freezes.

2. MAKE YOUR OWN SLIP-N-SLIDE WITH TARPS -- Get tarps at Home Depot, Lowes, or other such store, and poke holes in a cheap garden hose. Then run the hose along the edge of the tarps to keep 'em wet.  Want it faster? Dump a few bottles of baby oil on the tarps before turning on the water.

3. MAKE YOUR OWN COLD PACKS -- With summer comes minor injuries, and if you don't feel like shelling out $15 or so for one at the store, put 2 cups of water and 1 cup of alcohol in a one-quart Ziploc bag and leave it in the freezer. With the alcohol in it, it'll never turn to ice, so you can wrap it around any body part as it'll stay flexible. So long, frozen peas on the face!