It's FRIDAY!!! YAYYY!!!!
So the boys are starting to go crazy being home every day. So I have been putting together a list of things to do that are free or almost free. Some of these things I've done, and some are on my to-do list. I think they're all worth a try.
(I understand that everyone doesn't live in my area, but maybe this will give you an idea of things to do with your little ones.)
1. Library Visits. Check your local libraries schedule, there may actually be events held for kids. My local one has one every Monday at 10am. But even if they don't, an impromptu story time is still pretty awesome. The library may also hold pretty cool kid-free events too; if you can manage to get an hour of baby free time.
2. Play Dates. Play dates are hard to make, but if you can schedule them don't waste that opportunity! It's a great way for kids (and sometimes even moms) to make a consistent friend.
3. Restaurants with Play Areas. I don't feel obligated to buy meals in order to take my kids to play at the fast food restaurants. I will gladly pay for a $1 tea to sip on while my boys run around acting crazy. I think of them as indoor parks.
4. The Fire House. Please, call first. But a lot of fire house will do pop up tours for your little ones. They get to meet firemen, hear about what they do, and see the trucks. Bonus points for this activity, it's educational
5. Nursing homes. Kids and elderly go hand in hand. It's flu season now, but once the winter is over call around and see if you and the kids can visit. They'll learn and teach so much. Come this March, my boys will be going twice a month.
6. Picnic in the Park (or the Backyard). Simple. Cheap. Fun. Enjoy food while the kids run around. It's an adventure if you don't do it often.
7. Downtown Walks. Our downtown is pretty huge! A downtown walk is our go-to family date! It's scenic and since we're constantly moving, we don't have any issues from the kids.
8. Movies. My kids are 3 and under, so I only have to buy a ticket for me. The matinee ticket is like $6, and the kids' movies aren't so bad.
9. Museums. We have museums with family days and neighborhood nights, where admission is free or around $5. It's a great way to educate the kids and learn something yourself. We even have free museums,
10. Chic-Fil-A. They're a regional thing, but they host a lot of community events! Ours has a crafty toddler time, So check their events page, if you're lucky enough to have one nearby! Also, they usually have a play place.
11. Sporting Events. Whether it's school, community, or church. The local football games are usually $5 or less (and small kids get in free). They can jump, they can stomp, they can yell. It's quite exciting if they've never been. Basketball games work the same way, but the outdoors gives them a little more space with a lot less echo. (My kids don't like echoes.)
12. Park Explorations. Go to a different park other than the one nearby. This may cost some in gas, but I've recently found that there are literally dozens of parks within 10 miles that I have never taken my kids to. The different layouts and play areas make every trip an adventure for them.
13. Nature Trails. Not my favorite, but my kids are in love with them. (Until they get tired of walking.)
14. Skating. If you have your own skates, admission into a rink is much cheaper. Or you can just skate for free on a sidewalk, around the neighborhood, or at the park... Or bicycle.
15. Basketball. There are courts literally everywhere. My kids can't quite make the hoop, but balling together is a good way to get your heart pumping and get family time in. Who says you can't bring a mini hoop or make up your own game?
16. Car Rides to Nowhere. My kids like to be in the car. Well, the boys do. So riding around to absolutely nowhere is so much fun for them. We sing, talk, tell stories, dance, observe. It's a really good bonding experience. And I have an excuse to have the Chicken Nugget Song on repeat.
17. Children's Theatre. Our local Children's Theater has events starting at $1 per person. So look into your local theatres.
18. Bookstore. Especially Barnes & Noble. They have story time and a little play area. Check their page, and it'll have the dates and times listed. If you don't have a Barnes & Noble, it doesn't hurt to call and ask.
19. Pet Stores. Kids like animals; animals like kids. We all did this once, and it wasn't too hard to pry our kids from the adorable pets, but there was a major pep talk beforehand.
20. Concerts! Concerts! Concerts! Music makes the soul feel good. Look around for local concerts, at restaurants, schools, churches, community centers or even outdoor areas. They are more common than you think, especially around the holidays! Let those little ones dance the night away!
So the boys are starting to go crazy being home every day. So I have been putting together a list of things to do that are free or almost free. Some of these things I've done, and some are on my to-do list. I think they're all worth a try.
(I understand that everyone doesn't live in my area, but maybe this will give you an idea of things to do with your little ones.)
1. Library Visits. Check your local libraries schedule, there may actually be events held for kids. My local one has one every Monday at 10am. But even if they don't, an impromptu story time is still pretty awesome. The library may also hold pretty cool kid-free events too; if you can manage to get an hour of baby free time.
2. Play Dates. Play dates are hard to make, but if you can schedule them don't waste that opportunity! It's a great way for kids (and sometimes even moms) to make a consistent friend.
3. Restaurants with Play Areas. I don't feel obligated to buy meals in order to take my kids to play at the fast food restaurants. I will gladly pay for a $1 tea to sip on while my boys run around acting crazy. I think of them as indoor parks.
4. The Fire House. Please, call first. But a lot of fire house will do pop up tours for your little ones. They get to meet firemen, hear about what they do, and see the trucks. Bonus points for this activity, it's educational
5. Nursing homes. Kids and elderly go hand in hand. It's flu season now, but once the winter is over call around and see if you and the kids can visit. They'll learn and teach so much. Come this March, my boys will be going twice a month.
6. Picnic in the Park (or the Backyard). Simple. Cheap. Fun. Enjoy food while the kids run around. It's an adventure if you don't do it often.
7. Downtown Walks. Our downtown is pretty huge! A downtown walk is our go-to family date! It's scenic and since we're constantly moving, we don't have any issues from the kids.
8. Movies. My kids are 3 and under, so I only have to buy a ticket for me. The matinee ticket is like $6, and the kids' movies aren't so bad.
9. Museums. We have museums with family days and neighborhood nights, where admission is free or around $5. It's a great way to educate the kids and learn something yourself. We even have free museums,
10. Chic-Fil-A. They're a regional thing, but they host a lot of community events! Ours has a crafty toddler time, So check their events page, if you're lucky enough to have one nearby! Also, they usually have a play place.
11. Sporting Events. Whether it's school, community, or church. The local football games are usually $5 or less (and small kids get in free). They can jump, they can stomp, they can yell. It's quite exciting if they've never been. Basketball games work the same way, but the outdoors gives them a little more space with a lot less echo. (My kids don't like echoes.)
12. Park Explorations. Go to a different park other than the one nearby. This may cost some in gas, but I've recently found that there are literally dozens of parks within 10 miles that I have never taken my kids to. The different layouts and play areas make every trip an adventure for them.
13. Nature Trails. Not my favorite, but my kids are in love with them. (Until they get tired of walking.)
14. Skating. If you have your own skates, admission into a rink is much cheaper. Or you can just skate for free on a sidewalk, around the neighborhood, or at the park... Or bicycle.
15. Basketball. There are courts literally everywhere. My kids can't quite make the hoop, but balling together is a good way to get your heart pumping and get family time in. Who says you can't bring a mini hoop or make up your own game?
16. Car Rides to Nowhere. My kids like to be in the car. Well, the boys do. So riding around to absolutely nowhere is so much fun for them. We sing, talk, tell stories, dance, observe. It's a really good bonding experience. And I have an excuse to have the Chicken Nugget Song on repeat.
17. Children's Theatre. Our local Children's Theater has events starting at $1 per person. So look into your local theatres.
18. Bookstore. Especially Barnes & Noble. They have story time and a little play area. Check their page, and it'll have the dates and times listed. If you don't have a Barnes & Noble, it doesn't hurt to call and ask.
19. Pet Stores. Kids like animals; animals like kids. We all did this once, and it wasn't too hard to pry our kids from the adorable pets, but there was a major pep talk beforehand.
20. Concerts! Concerts! Concerts! Music makes the soul feel good. Look around for local concerts, at restaurants, schools, churches, community centers or even outdoor areas. They are more common than you think, especially around the holidays! Let those little ones dance the night away!
*Sorry there's no visual, my husband decided on an impromptu vacation, and I had no time to make a poster.
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