Christmas Break

[leadfootlevi]

I need budget friendly ideas for things to do over Christmas break.

Here's my list so far:
Arboretum because we have annual pass so we've already paid for it
Indoor water park and playground at a local community center
Sledding (hopefully)

Yep, that's it. 3 things. DS5 and I will be home together for 12 days straight. Of course, we will spend many days at home, but I would like to add 2 more things to our list. What are your budget-friendly ideas for your families?

 

[scrapquitler]

How about having a friend over to play? (free) Matinee Movie ($5 each), or rent a bunch of DVDs, make popcorn and have a movie night at home, play with those Christmas gifts (family game night), make ice cream sundae bar, Go out for Pizza, Build a fort and have a campout in the living room (can he have a friend stay over?)

 

[Debbie Jean]

Often public libraries will schedule special activities when children are out on break... free or low cost... you might want to check that out.

 

[Janepod]

• Make homemade bread dough ornaments -- also a great gift from the kids to others.
  
• Bake homemade cookies & decorate.
  
• Make a gingerbread house - can be simple or elaborate depending on kids' ages.
  
• Go ice skating
  
• Ski trip? The small mountain near us is free if you stick to the bunny hill & magic carpet (still have to pay to rent equipment if you don't have it though.)
  
• Do a nature hike & bring a camera - have the kids take pictures of what they see
  
• Make ice cream if you have an ice cream maker
  
• Go swimming at the local Y or whatever free/cheap pool is nearby

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Well I'm employed so my one day off will be C-mas Eve *only cause C-mas day is on a Sat. Also I leave on the 26th *I better get furloughed the last week of Dec. and 1st week of Jan. or I'm gonna have to be "sick"* to visit my fiance - so my kids will spend time with their Great Grandma but hopefully they'll spend some time with their dad *but he works Mon-Fri* ideally they'll spend some time with their cousins - some are close *20 min. away* and a bunch are an hour away or their other grandparents *my Ex's parents who I love* they're an hour away from us as well.

 

[VAfamily1998]

Often public libraries will schedule special activities when children are out on break... free or low cost... you might want to check that out.

Yes this!

Also, see if your local book stores will have any type of stories/crafts sessions. I know Barnes and Noble near us does, usually on Saturdays.

 

[jenlynn0808]

Bowling? I have some a free game of bowling coupons from the back of Tony's pizza boxes. I'm thinking about taking the kids to do this over break.

Local museum? We have a small historical museum the next town over and the kids and I spent a gloomy summer day there. They had a good time, it had a bunch of old pioneer items, there was a coal mining presentation, and a couple of trains the kids could explore. It was free to go, they did ask for-but not require-donations though, which we did.

 

[jenlynn0808]

Yes this!

Also, see if your local book stores will have any type of stories/crafts sessions. I know Barnes and Noble near us does, usually on Saturdays.

Aren't the ones at Home Depot free too? I bet they will have some during break.

 

[scrapquitler]

Aren't the ones at Home Depot free too? I bet they will have some during break.

i Think the ones at Michael's are free.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

Home depot workshops are free. They are the first Saturday of each month. Check the website to see the project. Kids get a free apron to keep.

Lowes does the same thing, but I'm not sure of the schedule.