Fun Free Things to do as a family

[hmcfall711]

I am just curious what free things you do with your family?

In the spring/summer I would say go to the park, go hiking etc. but it is getting too cold to do these kind of things around here. We have an extensive movie collection but we have been doing movie nights a lot lately (it kind of looses its fun when you do it all the time). I am trying really hard to fend off the winter blahs. Any ideas would be good?

Background, we are not in an urban/metro area that has a lot of museums, public spaces etc. We are on the fringes of suburb/ rural area.

 

[meliss8599]

We've been facing the same problem here. I'm so over watching movies and playing board games--I need to get out of the house but it's so gosh darn cold. We took the dog to the park yesterday and her and DD ran around for awhile which was fun but after about 40 minutes the dog's belly started turning bright pink and I was worried she was going to get frostbite. Today's 15 degrees colder than yesterday so it's no longer even an option.

Our park district has indoor ice skating which wasn't free but was reasonable ($27 for 3 people including skate rental). I'll be subbing to get others' ideas as well. Thanks for posting OP!

 

[tommya60]

Check those local museums that you do have, ours offer a free day (3rd Sunday or something) to everyone in the local area once a month. The Art museum does a kids art program (free) about 6 times a year.

 

[Planogirl]

I would plan a drive into the city to visit museums and on a day that isn't too cold maybe visit the zoo. The crowds won't be so bad and the animals prefer chilly weather.

We also enjoy going to the mall or electronics stores and just window shopping. Our son was taught from an early age that he couldn't have everything he saw (except books) so wanting something was never an issue.

 

[MickQuinn]

Not sure where you are from, but www.shortdrives.com is a website for attractions in New England. You select the state and city and it puts area attractions in order by travel distance. We have used it before when rain washed out a week of camping.

Another suggestion... kind of weird, but we discovered a couple of businesses that offer free tours. My son was fascinated when we went to Tom's of Maine. He got to see how they cut and wrap soap and also how they get the toothpaste into the tube. It was pretty interesting. You might want to check local places and see if they offer that kind of thing.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

We do indoor camping alot. We really go all out on this and usally start a small contained fire in the grill on the deck to roast marshmellows. We sled alot. Skating isnt bad. We bought a snowboard at goodwill and took turns trying it ($5 and its for up to 150 pounds). The kids like to rearange my funiture. I guess thats fun for them.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

snow shoeing xc skiing aside from getting the equipment which you can find reasonably used (I did) you can find plenty of trail sn woods to venture on for free

 

[MSSANDRA]

libraries are great.

 

[Maddykins06]

Not sure if you have a Lakeshore Learning store near you, but they have a free craft every Saturday.

Check Lowe's, Home Depot, Michael's & AC Moore too. Sometimes they have free crafts as well.

We also hang out at Barnes & Noble.

 

[Leader of the Club]

How old are your kids?

I live in a metropolitan city and have tons of free stuff to do. Some things in your area might be:

Free build-it projects at Home Depot and Lowes. My HD does it once a month and Lowes does 2 or 3 a month. Many craft stores also have free craft projects.

If you live near a college or university check out what they offer on campus. Many of lots of free activities for the community to participate in. We have seen many different sporting events, concerts, plays, dances, etc. Our local campus also has several free museums on campus that are interesting.

Is there a YMCA system near you? Many times you can join for a small fee, or ask if they have "pay-per-use" or sign up the kids for a swim class or something.

Our library always has programs going on. Last week was Wii week and they had that going on all week. My kids have done cooking projects, craft projects, screened movies, etc. all at the library. If your library doesn't have an active children's/youth program get together with a friend and volunteer to start one.

Check out your local and state parks. Many have programs for free or low cost. My DS5 goes to one every week were they play active games and such for an hour.

Invite friends over! Its cheap, easy and they entertain each other!

Again, not sure of how old your kiddos are but check out local scouting and 4H programs. Also check out churches in our area. Many have active youth groups.

 

[brandylouwho]

Winter definitely makes it tougher, but these are some things we've been doing. Iceskating at the park, my eldest got skates from the thrift store for $3 and the toddler slides in her boots. Go enjoy the animals at Petco or Petsmart. Eat lunch at a McDonalds with a playland. We have a small art museum that is free. Go window shopping at the mall and I might buy snack and let the kids play in the soft play area. Today we are paying to go to Monkey Joes, but if we don't buy lunch out we'll save some $. I just found out there is a kids magic show at a local comedy club tomorrow for only $5 per person. We have local nature reserve that is awesome to walk through in the summer, but in the winter we utilize their learning center- it has books, toys, some caged animals such as snakes. And story time at the library.

That is what I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[dismom2-3]

teach your kids to cook and bake - let them choose the theme and help pick the recipe. Have them set the table, and create "menus", watch food network for ideas. Not free in the total sense, but you need to eat right?

I have not done this yet, but we are going to make Christmas gifts for next year in the next few weeks. We are not so busy this time of year, and when we need the ornaments that I have the kids make each year, we are crazy with holiday shows, school celebrations etc. I am hoping that this will eliminate some stress next year. I am also planning to do Valentine stuff.

I know you don't have to leave the house to do these things, but it is stuff to do....

 

[jacobsmom]

Game nights are always fun!
We have friends and their families over for supper (everyone brings something) then we play games or play the wii.
Pull out the craft supplies and let your kids create! My boys are learning to build simple kits from lowes etc., then they bring them home and paint them as gifts for friends/family!
Sleepovers--have friends/cousins over for sleepovers! It's great bonding time.
Go to the local high schools and cheer on the basketball/football/soccer/swim/volleyball/cheerleading etc. team!
Have the kids to indoor treasure or scavenger hunts! Give them a list and have them find whatever is on the list!
Teaching kids to bake/cook is also a wonderful idea.

 

[3boymthr]

Actually, we still go hiking, even in winter.

Just 1 or 2 hour hikes but fun just the same.

Everyone bundles up in their winter gear. The kids enjoy climbing around in the woods in the snow. Without snow is also fun.

We pack a bottle of water to sip at while we hike and I heat water thru the coffee maker and make a pot of hot chocolate that I put in the thermos and leave in the car to enjoy in plastic mugs when we get back to the car along with a small snack. I pack the mugs back in a plastic bag when we're done and put them in the dishwasher when we get home.

One of the best parts - the trails are practically empty so we can spread out and enjoy the family time.

 

[B&Bforever]

Thanks for the ideas

 

[brymolmom]

If you have a YMCA near you - watch for 'community' nights. We have them at ours once every few months. They are open to the community and usually the gym and sometimes the pool is open. I am a member and always watch for these so that my sis and her kids can come swimming with us!

 

[Poohbear5]

Check your local library for free or discounted passes to local attractions.

Planning a get together with neighbors for game night and/or potluck supper gives the kids something to look forward to during the week.

 

[lady9]

Our family likes to go letterboxing. You can do it all year round. You can google "letterboxing" and get the details on how to do it. The cost is very low and once you make the initial investment, the only cost is gas for the car. It is similar to geocaching. You can get the clues to the box online. We do the boxes that are not too far of a hike from the car in the winter. It is just nice to get out for awhile and go for a drive.

 

[Mickeymick1967]

We love to geocache all year round, it is like a modern day treasure hunt using a handheld GPS, alot of fun and gets you outside and moving

 

[malibuconlee]

libraries are great.

Check for story times. We go to one on Thursdays, and the one closest to us has a story time on Saturdays, but that usually coincides with nap time.

Some Barnes and Noble stores have story times as well.