How to Find Fun Things to Do with Kids for Free

Maybe you need to cut back on the karate lessons, summer camp and other activities for children that cost money. Don't feel that they will be deprived. There are plenty of free activities that your children will enjoy doing with you.

Instructions

    • 1

      Get the kids outdoors. Remember catching fireflies in a jar at dusk? How about picnics in the park or splashing in the creek? Too many structured activities may mean your children are missing out on this kind of homespun fun.
      Go to the library and get some bird identification books from the children's department. Find a book about being a nature detective. Make a terrarium home for a caterpillar and feed it leaves suitable for its type.

    • 2

      Find out when the local museums have free days or special prices for children. In the northeast, the local libraries have museum membership passes that you can borrow. Explore science, local history or whatever type of museum is available locally. Zip past the parts that the kids say is "boriinng" and linger over the sections that intrigue them.

    • 3

      Cook with your children. Teach them to make your easiest recipe and soon they'll be making the deviled eggs for the picnics on their own. Again, the library has children's books on this topic. Try some new recipes that they pick out. They'll learn life skills, plus some math and science, and everyone enjoys eating the results.

    • 4

      Use your imagination and theirs. Act out a story. Have your own American Idol contest in the living room. Look around for free theater performances. Sometimes the library has puppet shows or plays during summer reading. Remember how much fun it was playing dress-up with Mom's scarves, high heels and lipstick? Watch a pirate movie or read a pirate story, then turn yourselves into pirates.

    • 5

      Create something. Look online for children's craft ideas or get books from the library. Turn half of an egg carton into a bookworm. Make gifts for the grandparents. Construct elaborate sand castles at the beach. Turn off the television and shut away the electronic games. Spend the time on arts and crafts.

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