There are lots of summer carnivals and fairs all around the area, so it's not difficult to find one close to you. Check your local newspapers and look for posters at the grocery store.
We have a three-day carnival in our area called "Fun Days" that we go to every year. Of course the kids love the rides. The problem is that ride tickets are $1.25 each, and rides are 3 or 4 tickets. That means it costs $3.75 to ride a little roller coaster and $11.25 for all 3 kids to ride it! So I could easily spend $50 for 4 rides for 3 kids!!
What we do is go for the "ride special." They have it on a Saturday afternoon, which is probably their least busy time, but for $15 per kid they have unlimited rides for 4 hours with a wrist band. So, it might still cost me $45, but they rode non-stop for 3 hours (we got there a little late then stopped for a snack), which was about 15 rides each. The ride ticket was worth it.
I know carnival food can also be expensive. I don't have any complaints because at ours you can get a hot dog for $1.00 and a hamburger for $1.25. Bottled lemonade and iced tea (from a local dairy not a national brand) are just $1.00. I can even get a homemade waffle with ice cream for just $3.00.
When you're there, look for food and games that may be run by a local church or non-profit, which are often cheaper & just as good.
Of course, there's no harm in setting limits. Visit the carnival to walk around & enjoy the free things, like demonstrations and bands, but pick one thing the kids can do-like 1 ride, 1 game or 1 snack. They get to get out of the house, see their friends, enjoy the sights & sounds and it won't cost you a fortune.
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