One of the best things about summer in my neighborhood are the yard sales. They're on every corner, just about every weekend. Yard sales are by far, one of the most baby-friendly summer activities. Even if you're not interested in buying a single thing, between people-watching and all the interesting fare you're sure to have a stimulated baby. Starting a summer tradition with your littlest one while the others are at baseball games, dance recitals and beach parties could be a wonderful bonding experience--"when you were just 10 months old you and mommy went to a yard sale and you loved this silly clown lamp so much I had to buy it..."

A few things to remember when yard saling away--

• Whether you're walking the neighborhood or driving from town to town keep baby sunblocked. The SPF can be easy to forget when you're not planning a sun-centered day.

• Bring bags for your purchases & small bills--making change of a 50 for a 25 cent item is a no-no.
  

• Keep new treasures away from baby until you've got them home. You don't really know what people have in their houses and what kind of reaction your little love could have to them. At the very least inspect them before setting them out. 

*Experts suggest putting anything that's not washable (records, pictures, etc) in a plastic bag and in the freezer for 24 hours first.

If you can't get out on the weekend to yard sales, go driving around Monday morning before the garbage has come. Often whatever doesn't sell is curb fodder = FREE!

Here's to finding you're own hidden treasure and starting your own baby friendly summer tradition.

Remember Baby Skates? Who could pass her up, still in the box, for $2.

Do you have any free, easy, special summer traditions to share?