Need ideas for free/almost free stuff to do with kids during school vacation

[pjlla]

Well... our school vacation is next week (yup, we are a bit off from the rest of the east coast). Anyhow, since we are currently trying hard to save for our DL trip this summer and WDW next January, I don't plan on doing any expensive day trips or such with the kids (we usually the aquarium, various children's museums, but admission with Boston parking is TOO much!) I am looking for some good suggestions of things we can do with little $$. So far I have told them each they could have one or two play dates with friends in town, plus we will do a "game day" at home (we love board games) and maybe a baking day (cookies, pretzels, homemade pizza). And I found out that an art museum a few towns away frequently has "free" days during school vacations, so I will be looking into that. DH will be away on business all week, so no help there!

ANY OTHER great ideas?? Come on... you guys are so creative!..........P

ETA, my DS is 7 and my DD is 9.

 

[vossjemi]

Free stuff....ck your local library for story time hours or activities. Ours usually has lots of fun things to do. Check your local conservation dept. We've had lots of fun programs over there...Bugfest (lots of bugs/spiders and critters some alive/some dead), kids shows with a sort of singing/dancing Steve IRwin type group). Check local gymnastics studios. Many offer a 1 time free class to see if you like it. You might also check local movie theaters. We have one here that always offers free movies to kids at 10 and 11am in the morning. They make their $ off the concessions. Just some ideas to get you started!

 

[jeepgirl30]

Although its not free, what about a season pass to the zoo? You have to pay upfront but then all summer long you can go free.

We went to a lot of parks this summer. Or a picnic outside? Even on the lawn a picnic is still fun.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Are they into arts and crafts, maybe they could make a special project for the grandparents etc. A decorated flower pot, think spring!! You must be sick of looking at all that snow there!! Crazy hat, make your own ice cream sundae, decorate your own cupcakes etc. Can you take the cupcakes to a shut in from church etc. I have done nothing with my ds all week, I have a cold, I was thinking of a movie one day and promised to take one bowling with a friend friday. Do you have any discount coupons for any thing like bowling etc.

 

[JCTigger]

have you tried getting passes to the museums thru the library? a cheap way to get into the city is to drive in like Alewife station (parking is 4.5) and then takin the T in (1.25 for adults unsure about kids though) they have like an all day vistors pass for the T as well...

how about going to Build a Bear theres on in the Rocking ham mall or paws and claws in nashua... and build a bear has disney related clothing for the bears as well....

I dont know where in new hampshire you are so i dont know how long of a drive it would be but theres a plaster fun time in Chelmsford Ma which is pretty fun (you pick out a plaster object and then paint it) its like 10 bucks or less for some of the items....

Hope you find stuff to do! and good luck!

 

[pjlla]

Although its not free, what about a season pass to the zoo? You have to pay upfront but then all summer long you can go free.

We went to a lot of parks this summer. Or a picnic outside? Even on the lawn a picnic is still fun.

Please understand... I really appreciate the suggestions, but we are really rural out here where I live in NH. The nearest zoo is about 2 hours away. And as far as a picnic.... I would have to shovel the snow off the lawn first!! But thanks for taking the time to help me out... truly I appreciate it!.....P

 

[imsayin]

And as far as a picnic.... I would have to shovel the snow off the lawn first!!

I haven't done it in a while, but I used to have "indoor" picnics (too much snow in Chicago too). Just set up the blanket and have lunch picnic style.

Movie day - get your movies for free at your local library (if possible).

Cleaning day - go through the kids rooms with them getting rid of old junk.

Write letters to far away friends & relatives.

Get the book "A Treasure's Trove" by Michael Stadther and find the hidden jewels! If you haven't heard about it, this book reveals (in code), the location of hidden coins in the US which you can trade in for jewels. There are 13 hidden coins, jewels value at $1 million. You could spend the whole week on this one. My DD10 & I are addicted. Lots of websites out there to help with clues. No one has found a treasure yet.

 

[juliegirl]

Two play dates, a game day and a baking day sound like a pretty full day here.

Not sure if you are game, but my DD 10 likes to 'stay up all night', I have let her try 2-3 times, she is usually out by 1 am and it keeps all the requests for "something to do" the next day at bay!

Your kids are at a pretty good age to learn some new skills, or new more challenging games. If they like board games, try backgammon or chess. Do you have Monopoly? You can kill 2-3 hours with Monopoly. Cribbage? Oooh, we love to do 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles, these can be had for cheap, and there is a great variety out there, you can find something to appeal to all of you.

Arts and crafts? Origami is fun and a 'kit' is pretty cheap. Once you get pretty good you can use your creations for gifts, too. Do you have Perler beads? Boys and girls both like to make designs, again pretty cheap and takes up some time. Again, can be gifted to others by adding a pin backer, a magentic strip or a lanyard.

Have you been saving change for your trips? Maybe roll some of it, have the kids guess how much is in this small bowl, etc. Strengthens the math skills and keeps your eyes on the goal in sight, this might keep down on requests to do things that cost money.

Do you have a digital camera? My DD loves to be allowed the privilege of filling a memory card and if you cull out the useless images, you could print out the best of them for a nominal amount of money.

And never forget the appeal of Playdoh for kids of all ages.

Gotta stop, I could go on and on and on......

 

[Twinkies]

That is ADORABLE!! -

EDITED: Somehow I posted to the wrong thread. Sorry!

 

[MrsPete]

The library is a great suggestion; ours has movies, special days with live animals, fitness day, etc.

How about your Parks and Rec dept.? Ours offers very low-priced tennis lessons, swim lessons, etc.

A pool membership can be a good investment. For $300, you can provide the kids with exercise and fun that'll keep them busy 1/2 a day or more. Or, do you have a friend who lives in a neighborhood with a pool? See if you can bring a picnic lunch in exchange for an invite once a week or so.

Consider Girl Scout day camp. Ours is only $30 for a whole week of activities. YMCA camp isn't bad either.

The 4H Clubs have craft programs that are very cheap: For example, learn to make woven purses -- 2 hours, 2 dollars. You're just paying for the materials. Their programs fill fast though.

Do you have state or national parks nearby? Hiking and picnicing is a great family activity. Camping too.

For something totally free, go through your house and pull out all the craft materials you bought and never finished (that would be quite a bit in my house).

Around here we have free kids' movies on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings.

Many musuems have free days or at least free afternoons (usually once a month).

 

[frannn]

We picked out books for us and DD15 (DD2 alrady has a bunch), and all sat reading after we got home. We also do crafts, watch videos, and they listen to music & dance. DD11 just went to her friend's house for a while, and tommorrow, she has a birthday party. Since DD2 and DD15 are both ill, the tv and books are keeping them quite busy.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

What about going to watch sugaring or up/over to Quechee to watch glass blowing or to hike the gorge? The glass blowing demos are free. Also I think there is a cheese farm & museum in that neighborhood too.

Searching online in areas of ski resorts can yield additional entertainment options as well.

 

[powellrj]

Do you have any hotels in the area? We will priceline a room for not very much and its almost like a vacation! Take a picnic supper with you and breakfast for in the morning and let the kids swim all evening and the next morning. We do this a lot and its really a great mini vacation without spending a lot of money!

Another idea is a film festive. Rent several of the sametype movies and pop popcorn and make a pizza and watch movies!!

Write letters to soldiers.

Have themed night dinners. Have a mexican night and a french night and make things to go along with your dinners from the country.

 

[pjlla]

Thank you for all the great suggestions... but perhaps I wasn't clear enough. I am looking for things to do NEXT WEEK for February/March vacation. I don't usually have any trouble filling time in the summer for vacation, as we have our own pool... plus we are taking two vacations this summer. But thanks again for all the great ideas!...............P

 

[YetanotherMouseFan]

When mine were around that age, we had an "Unbirthday Party" one miserable Spring Break. The kids and I made an UnBirthday cake: used up all the leftover bits of decorator frosting in the cupboard,too: It wasn't pretty, but it was their own creation; decorated our own "UnBirthday" wrapping paper and party decorations, and each chose something small of their own to give each other. DH thought we were nuts when he heard about it, but the kids are in their mid-20's now, and they still talk about it.

 

[pjlla]

When mine were around that age, we had an "Unbirthday Party" one miserable Spring Break. The kids and I made an UnBirthday cake: used up all the leftover bits of decorator frosting in the cupboard,too: It wasn't pretty, but it was their own creation; decorated our own "UnBirthday" wrapping paper and party decorations, and each chose something small of their own to give each other. DH thought we were nuts when he heard about it, but the kids are in their mid-20's now, and they still talk about it.

We did almost the same thing a few years ago. DS and DD was bored on a rainy fall day. We invited a friend's son over (same age as my DS), as he was bored because his older sisters had gone back to school. I made a cake, gave them each a tube of left over cake decorating stuff and left over sprinkles.... we turned old party hats inside out so they were plain and let them decorate. Then we put odd, leftover candles on the cake and let them blow them out. I think we sang "happy rainy day to you". It was fun. Good idea for next week. We could have a "Happy February vacation" party!..............P

 

[WishingOnAStar]

How about checking out a book on science experiments from the library and doing some of them. DD9 used a gift certificate she had for Walden Books one time and bought a book of science experiments. Most of them are fairly easy to do and lots of fun (plus, they don't realize they are learning things). As a matter of fact, we are going to grow crystals this weekend.

Are any of your kids in scouts? We also go through their badge books and pick badges to earn. DD8 is earning her cooking badge this weekend.

We have pajama day occasionally, we stay in our pj's and watch movies and/or play games. I don't do any cleaning or housework all day (the kids LOVE this because it doesn't happen often! )

My girls also have a doll bathing day- we give all their baby dolls a bath.


...... just a few thoughts.......