Free/Cheap things to do as a family

EmmaLi

We have a 7 month old girl, not much money and currently very boring lives. Can you suggest free or cheap things to do that will make life more fun and rewarding again?

Thanks

Sharra

I remember the feeling well. I think when my son was that age, most of our excursions were to see friends (that way you don't even have to pay for the biscuits!).
If its not too expensive near you, she's of an age where she may love swimming.
Go and feed the ducks.
If you don't go, check out baby and toddler groups - a great way to meet other parents.
Play on the swings in the park.
Build sandcastles if you're near the beach.
When the warmer weather comes back, stick a little paddling pool in the garden and invite all the little 'uns you know to come and play (with parents).

justontime

I don't think it matters that you have a tight budget, the important thing is to make time to do things together as a family. Some of these activities will have to wait until your daughter is a bit older, but children enjoy, picnics in the park, playgrounds, country walks, going to the beach, fishing in rock pools/streams, collecting feathers, shells, leaves, pine cones to use in art or craft activities later. Museums are often free or good value and they often have children's activities, libraries often have activities too. My children used to like to watch the trains coming and going at the station (most young children have a Thomas the Tank Engine phase) we were lucky to have a preserved railway nearby. My daughter loved watching the aircraft at the little airport a few miles away, there were some nice walks near there. Most children enjoy anything involving animals, farm open days, lambing weekends that sort of thing. Mums and tots is a good idea, they often have outings and extra activities during the year.

My youngest is 12 now and the oldest is 18. Time passes so quickly. However hard up you are please try to take loads of photos and not just the staged ones with every posing for the camera, take the fun, silly and ordinary moments too. My husband developed cancer and died in 2003, having so many photos has really helped the children to treasure all those memories. Be warned when your daughter is older she will be horrified by the clothes you made her wear! When my daughter was 18 I scanned a load of old photos and then spent weeks creating a scrapbook for her, she loved it and it is packed with memories of her childhood. Most important of all make time for your daughter and enjoy every stage of her growing up.

lebly

Planting seds - cress tomatoes sunflowers.

Dominoes,snap etc.

Going for walk.

Do you remember the old I spy books? Create your own version for where you live. Making tents out of chairs and sheets and having an indoor camping day with picnic etc

You dont have to be outside to be "out"

tiff

If you have bikes, ask for a childs bike seat on freecycle and find a cycle route. Its good fun, make sure you take plenty of water, hats, sun cream etc.

lebly

also not being funny seven months old - sleeps - find fun things to do as a couple whilst asleep you wont always have this time. at 7 months a card board box is a day out but not for you have a romantic picnic as a couple while b asleep doent matter what time of day still time out!

doraexplorer

going for a walk together as a family has to be one of the most lovely things to do. its free and the fresh air is great. my kids age 7 and 2 love going for a walk always have done.

when baby gets little older you can collect acorns, cones, pebbles, logs. i have lots of stuff sitting on my door step that we have found from walks.

we paint the peebles to look like ladybirds. dead easy. makes your house homely before you even walk through the door.

tiff

I just remembered something else, we used to go to the city farm a lot in Bristol, free to go in. Also, camping is cheap, good fun and the baby will be fine!

Mics_chick

I don't know if this sounds a "stupid" question but where do you go for walks? Coz I would need to take a buggy for when my 2yr old got tired so tramping across a field isn't really an option - any ideas please?

slinks

Mics_chick wrote: »

I don't know if this sounds a "stupid" question but where do you go for walks? Coz I would need to take a buggy for when my 2yr old got tired so tramping across a field isn't really an option - any ideas please?

hopefully there's plenty of walks on paths near you - riverbank, by the canal, near the beach - always somewhere other than field trampling!

type in your hometown on google and add 'walk' etc

purplepurple

Mics_chick wrote: »

I don't know if this sounds a "stupid" question but where do you go for walks? Coz I would need to take a buggy for when my 2yr old got tired so tramping across a field isn't really an option - any ideas please?

When ours were smaller, we always took a trike with a handle on walks.... a lot easier than a buggy for us to push / carry while they were walking and a bit more fun for them when they're tired.
We're lucky where we are (chiltern hills) so we go and sit on the top of a hill at least once a week.... but even going for a really long walk from one side of town to another can be exciting for them....

Also, before christmas, we got bargain digital cameras from Superdrug for the kids. We use them to go on "hunting trips" such as how many different types of lights can they find to photograph on a walk, how many different front doors, how many different types of trees, windows.. whatever. They absolutely LOVE those walks and they can last hours without a grumble because they're busy the whole time. After the initial outlay for the camera (£20) it's all free as you can just keep the good picies on the computer and delete the rest. They normally take a hundred piccies or so each! But it's lovely to get home and then look at them.... and then plan the next hunt.:D