Taking care of your family doesn’t have to cost a lot; especially in the summer, when some seasonal items and creative thinking can go a long way to save you money and keep your kids happy and safe.

Take pool noodles, for example. Kids love to play with them, but experienced moms love them, too, because they know how many other family-friendly uses they have. And at just $2 or $3 a noodle, they’re a flexible fit for your budget, too. Check out some of these creative uses some moms have discovered for these fun and versatile water toys:

Soft bed rails. Instead of expensive metal bed rails, some moms like to slide a pool noodle lengthwise down each side of their toddler’s bed, under the fitted sheet, for soft bumpers that are just high enough to keep little ones from falling out.

Childproofing in a pinch. When traveling, lots of moms find that a noodle sliced lengthwise and cut into shorter pieces makes a great soft bumper that can be placed on sharp table corners, furniture sides, fireplace mantles and other pieces of furniture that toddlers may bump into.

Floating friend. While little ones still need constant supervision in the water, lots of moms like to “tie” a noodle around their child’s waist when they venture into the pool so they can get used to the water while the noodle keeps them afloat.

 Car seat adjustment. Pool noodles can actually level out the fit of rear-facing child safety seats in cars. To make sure the base of the seat is level with the ground (and not sloping with the curve of the cushion), some moms use up to three noodles to bring the base up to the proper angle.

Moms can also give their budgets some relief in the summer by making yummy hot-weather treats that are healthier for their family – and their wallets – than many popular freezer-aisle finds. Try some of these fresh ideas the next time your little ones ask for a cold and sweet treat:

Frozen fruit.  Peel bananas and place in the freezer for about an hour. Insert sticks beforehand and eat them like a Popsicle, or place them in the blender until they’re soft  - then you can place into bowls and let little ones scoop it up with a spoon or refreeze with popsicle sticks in a small disposable cup. If you don’t have time to wait, try making frozen fruit kabobs by sliding chunks of frozen fruits onto a skewer - you can find these bagged and ready to go at your local grocery.

Juice pops. Pour your kid’s favorite fruit juices into an ice tray or Popsicle mold. Cover with clear plastic wrap and insert sticks for a healthy treat packed with vitamins and nutrients.

Yogurt cups. Stick Popsicle sticks through the lids of single-serve yogurt cups and freeze them for an easy treat. This also works well with pudding cups.

Graham sandwiches. Try making your own “ice cream” sandwiches by placing yogurt or whipped cream between two graham crackers and freezing them.