Free/Cheap things to do as a family

Mics_chick

purplepurple wrote: »

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

A fantastic idea :T but how old are your kids?

keelykat

You've all got such great ideas! purplepurple-love the idea about taking photo's etc.

My brother in law takes my nieces and nephew fishing, and walks by the canal and watch the birds/wildlife etc-they love it!

You cant beat going on the swings in the park, and having a picnic too!

keely.

Elle00

Oohh one of the best free things I found was the local Baby Rhyme Time session at our local library. You just show up on a Friday morning and have a good old sing song with baby bouncing on your knee and it's great for their speech development and social skills as well as entertaining. People take their babies along from just a few months old so don't think 7m is too young. I know loads of people from different areas who have similar sessions at their local libraries so go in and ask.

There's Home Start or in some areas Sure Start for people with kids under 5 and depending on your area, they offer different things. In my town we have a free play group once a week where we go along for lunch and a chat then the babies and toddlers can play with toys, look at books or do an activity for an hour or two. My Home Start offer two trips a year, one to the Xmas panto and one to the seaside and both are heavily subsidised by the charity so you can afford them even if you're on IS.

The other thing that springs to mind is collecting the tokens from a national newspaper for a cheap holiday. You have to pay for 4 people minimum and be a bit flexible in when and where you'll go but it's the cheapest way I've come across to give my son a good old week in the rain. We're staying for four nights in our own 4 bed caravan, have access to a toddler pool, soft play area and playground as well as enjoying the change of shops to look round etc for just £42 including the entertainment charge. Overall it will cost another £60 - £80 for petrol and chips on the pier etc but that's still a lovely cheap way to enjoy a week away. I know not everyone can afford a holiday of course but I thought it was worth a mention because I'm soooo excited about having been able to afford to take my son away for the very first time and just know he's going to love it.

Lastly my best buys at that age were a 3-in-1 activity pack by Bruin from Babies R Us which was £20 for three interactive toys that kept my son entertained for hours and a selection of books with touch-feely bits and sound buttons from Matalan which sell for between £1 and £3.50 each (RRPs more like £2.99 - £12.99).

Obviously the suggestions like going to the play park (they can often go in a swing with baby safety seats from around this age, my son was 8m) and taking walks are also great activities! And don't be afraid to try activities just because you think lo is too young either because she might surprise you. My son couldn't sit up at 9m old - but could lay on his belly to happily scribble with crayons!

Great thread btw - I can remember really racking my brains at this stage of development. I'll always cherish the day he turned one; people say it just gets harder but boy it got ten times easier and so much more fun for us!

purplepurple

Mics_chick wrote: »

A fantastic idea :T but how old are your kids?

DD is 7 next month and DS is 4...... the cameras are just point and click ones so really easy for DS who has actually taken some amazing piccies (completely by chance I must add!)..... we went out yesterday (in the pouring rain! Still not a grumble from either of them!) and hunted for things with the letter "A" on them.... great fun

Mrs_Dawn

Thanks for the fab camera idea purplepurple. DS is 8 and DD2 is 51/2 and they adore being outdoors whatever the weather, so the camera idea will just mean more fun for all. :T