Cheap Entertainment

by Bina
(Toronto, Canada)

My kids love to be entertained, like anybody else's kids. In order to cut back on expenses I only choose entertainment that is either free, or relatively little money. Going to a park (not around the corner and therefore out of the ordinary), a street festival, a library, or a bookstore with a story time. We even have a farm within a half hour drive from home that allows you to come in and feed their animals at no charge to you - just bring the carrots and celery! Check your local newspaper, parenting magazines, libraries and kid's websites for your area for good ideas.

Outdoor activities are usually great weekend ideas too. Choosing appropriate weather activities is sometimes difficult; but when it has just snowed and it is reasonable outside - get out the sled. Take the kids skating a local rink, or a walk through a local "forest" area. Drive to another neighbourhood and walk around there, talk about the different trees, houses...

Want to stay home and do something different? How about collect some stuff from your recycling and give the kids glue, paint, sparkles, scraps of paper and material - anything else that you can scrape together from around the house and give them a title (older kids may like this challenge) or allow them to just be creative on their own.