What FREE kids activities do you do?

This past weekend we went to Home Depot and had a blast taking advantage of their Kids Workshop. DH and I, along with our twins, made an Art Caddy for each one of our kids. They got a Home Depot apron, completion certificate, button, and of course the caddy to keep. It was a great time and it was FREE. I highly recommend it. I heard that it is for ages 5+. We did most of the building while they would hold pieces for us, but still it was fun.

I started thinking of other free activities in my area that I would like to do as well with my kids - story time at a local book store. We already go to story time at the library. But, I would like to go the book store that is close to our house too.

That got me thinking - what other free activies are there that we could do? What have you done? And, what are some of your favorites? I'd love to hear about them.

 

We did story time at our main library, is not going on in Aug for 2yr olds, and we don't have any book stores in the area so will have to wait. We still go and hang out at the library though as they have a great kids area at our main one. We have a membership to Phoenix Zoo so that is free to us "now", and we try to make it once a week, they have great trails and water activities, alnog with sevral other play areas. We have play dates with our twins group. Go to the park a lot, we have free splash parks for the summer. That's about it though around here. I had heard about the Home Depot thing though, they also have one a lowes, but is 5+ so never thought about going, maybe I will look into it now to see if they would be ok with us taking the girls.

 

Concerts in the Park
Craft time at a local teacher supply store
Library story time (they also have special shows and events)
Nature walks (both guided kids/family tours and on our own)
Twins club park playdates
Equestrian center (has free tours)
Feeding the ducks at the lake

 

Other than what's already been mentioned,

Our art museum has a free day (we go every month or so when there's a new show)
Riding the bus (the buses here are free in the summer and they use open-air trolleys which are great!)

 

We go to the farmer's market -- it's impossible to shop there with two toddlers, but we hang out on the grass and have a snack, and I often run into someone I know, or at least another mom to talk with.

Library -- mine are too young for storytime (IMO), but they have a nice play area.

Costco -- not exactly free, but it's something we'd do anyway, and the girls love it.

Swimming -- not free, but it seems free since I prepaid for a certain number of visits.

Zoo and Children's Museum -- also not free, but we joined, so it seems free.

The Home Depot thing sounds awesome -- I can't wait till my kids are older so we can do stuff like that!

There is also an educational farm near here (a working farm, but that makes most of their money from summer camps and birthday parties, I think) that has open hours on Saturdays when you can just go and wander around. We haven't managed it yet, but I really want to go.

 

QUOTE(Minette @ Aug 9 2007, 04:00 PM) [snapback]363263[/snapback]
There is also an educational farm near here (a working farm, but that makes most of their money from summer camps and birthday parties, I think) that has open hours on Saturdays when you can just go and wander around. We haven't managed it yet, but I really want to go.


We also have one of these that hosts riding camps, art classes, etc. for kids, but it is also a public park and you can come and check out the animals, there's a great creek, etc.

*Summer street fairs. Most neighborhoods host one, so from May to October there's at elast one or two a month we can hit. Most places have several free kid craft, game, activity booths, some even offered free face painting. My kids aren't quite old enough to participate in most of these activities, but the people watching/activities/parades are great for now.

*Check with your local parks and rec department for family activities. Ours has lots of inexpensive/free activiteis. In the winter we'll be taking advantage of the $2 drop-in play palace for 1.5-3 year olds on yuky days.

*Pet Stores are a fun freebie
*Check out tours offered. We have a chocolate factory that offers tours (I think that one is actually a couple bucks, but you get chocolates at the end).
*Beaches (check your Parks & Recreation website to see which ones are lifeguarded at what times)
*Mall play areas (great for rainy days). I like to go really early before the mall opens and the playspace gets crowded.
*Sporting events. I take my kids to watch the "big boys" play baseball at our local parks. They get exposure to the sports, but without sitting in cramped stands. We get a snack and wander around on the grass and they love watching the big kids play.


This is a great post, thanks. Look forward to seeing everyone's free finds!

 

This afternoon we went to a free Toddler Wading Pool. My kids LOVED it and thought that they were "swimming." We will do that one again before summer ends!!!

 

QUOTE(twoin2005 @ Aug 9 2007, 04:38 PM) [snapback]363308[/snapback]
This afternoon we went to a free Toddler Wading Pool. My kids LOVED it and thought that they were "swimming." We will do that one again before summer ends!!!



Where was that located Kate? My kids love the water right now.

 

QUOTE(NicoleT @ Aug 9 2007, 04:52 PM) [snapback]363323[/snapback]
Where was that located Kate? My kids love the water right now.


Buena Park, right off the 91...we could meet there! (Only open M-F though )

 

QUOTE(twoin2005 @ Aug 9 2007, 05:14 PM) [snapback]363357[/snapback]
Buena Park, right off the 91...we could meet there! (Only open M-F though )


Thanks! I am taking the following week off from work. We will be spending part of it at home and the other 1/2 at the river in Arizona so I might try to get over there. I will PM you once I figure out our week.

 

Library story and crafts times are about it for actual "establishments". I am taking them to a mall toddler time that I just found out about on Tuesday. It is every other week, so I'll be able to do two of them beofre I head back to work. I also have a beautiful lake by me that I go to after 4 (when it's free) with a playground. I also signed up for a couple of free trial Gymboree classes that we're gooing to in a couple weeks. The local bookstore also has story hours, but I haven't been to one yet.

I am always on the look out for free activities.