Being a parent is no easy feat — especially when you have multiple kids or you’re trying to hold down a job simultaneously.
It’s for this reason that summertime can be both a blessing and a curse for parents.
On the one hand, it’s nice to get a break from things like supervising homework and rushing children to after-school activities.
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On the other hand, once school takes a break for summer, many parents have a huge problem.
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During that two-month stretch, parents need a way to keep their kids busy so they don’t go stir crazy (and, where applicable, interrupt the workday). But the cost of summer camp has become downright unaffordable for so many people.
On average, parents are looking at $73 to $87 per day for summer camp, according to the American Camp Association. At a time when parents are also grappling with the impact of inflation, that’s a cost many families can’t swing.
Costco just solved a key problem for parents.
Image source: Bronstein/Getty Images
Costco is financial lifeline for parents
Costco has long come to the rescue for parents who struggle to cover the many expenses that come with raising kids.
At the infant stage, parents can turn to Costco for low-cost diapers, wipes, and other essential items needed to get through those challenging years.
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Then, as kids get older, Costco becomes a great source of clothing, footwear, outerwear, and toys.
Plus, Costco makes it easy for parents who are on a budget to feed their kids without breaking the bank. The store’s bulk discounts on everything from dairy products to meat to produce can save parents a bundle.
And as every parent knows, if there’s one food item in constant need of replenishing, it’s snacks. It’s typically way cheaper to buy a case of Costco chips or popcorn than to purchase those items in smaller quantities at a regular supermarket.
Costco has a solution for cheap summertime entertainment
In some parts of the country, the school year is about to come to a close. And a lot of parents are still scrambling to figure out what to do with their children for weeks on end.
Enter Costco’s latest find — the H2OGO! Whales ‘n Waves Kids Inflatable Mega Water Park.
Suitable for children ages five and up, this backyard waterpark could provide kids with hours of daily fun, not to mention make it easy to beat the heat.
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The waterpark setup includes two built-in sprayers, a large splash pool, a climbing wall, and an enclosed water slide.
And the best part? The set includes a blower that inflates this magic contraption in just two minutes.
Although the product is new to Costco, it’s already getting rave reviews on the company’s website.
“This waterpark has given my kids endless hours of fun so far,” one customer wrote.
“This has definitely been worth it,” wrote another, noting that the setup was “super easy.”
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Now at an online price of $379.99 (in-store prices can vary), this backyard waterpark isn’t cheap. But compared to the cost of camp, it’s a bargain, even if it only lasts a single summer.
And for parents of young kids especially, the idea of setting their children up in the backyard may be far more appealing than hauling a gaggle of children over to an actual waterpark and having to make sure they don’t get lost. So it’s easy to call this product a solid investment in summertime entertainment and parental sanity.
Maurie Backman owns shares of Costco.
