Free or Cheap activities for young children.?

Question

I am going to be looking after my young cousins (aged 5 and 8) soon and want to know what free or cheap activities I can do with them to keep them occupied.

Answer 1

Just go lay out in the yard and look at bugs & collect rocks. Go for a walk. Get the hose out and let them play. Give them a bix empty box, they will be occupied for hours. Let them help you make cookies or some other treat. Make tents in the house out of sheets and blankets draped over chairs and give them lunch in there. Go to the park. Let them play in the bath tub. Give them old clothes to dress up in. Have them make masks and make up a story to go with them. Just use your imagination and you can come up with all kinds of things to keep them busy.

Answer 2

I am mom of one 5 year old. Here are several things you can do on a shoestring. Take them to the park weather permitting. If you have a wacky warehouse nearby go there, it is £2 per child for 1 hour of play (they come home knackered and well behaved), there is swimming, possibly the movies (depends on how far you budget can stretch).
For in the house if you have any board games get them out kids love to interact with you and beat you at a game, painting (I know messy but can be kept to a minimum if supervised), rent a film, make homemade pizze or popcorn to watch the film with, a treasure hunt in the house with a toy or sweet as prize at the end, hide and seek in the house.
Tons of things you can do. What else did you like to do when you where little? Nine times out of ten it is the simple social inexpensive things that entertains the kids the most.

Answer 3

Park on swings, feeding ducks, playing football, of flying a kite.If you are near London the Natural history museum is free and has lots to interest young children.

Answer 4

I don't know where you live, but here in Portland the Zoo has discount days. Also check out your library they often have activities for children. Community churches and your local elementry would also have information on kids activities.

Answer 5

Well they'll be at school during the day obviously. After school, you can take them to the park or visit the local library, or go swimming. Activities in the house can be reading with them, painting, drawing, just playing with them can sometimes be enough.

Answer 6

At Wal-mart, there are hand puppet kits (Martha Stewart) that are roughly $3 to 4 each, if you could get at least 2 for each child... they could make the puppets first... and then with a large paper towel box from your local market (call and have them save one for you) you can help them make a puppet theatre with materials you have at home. And they could put on a show for you and the family.

Answer 7

Why don't you go to a car boot sale or flea market there are plenty of stalls selling children goods,you may pick up a few bargains

Answer 8

depends where you live, kids are pretty easily amused, you dont need big expensive gestures, play footie in the park, go ice skating/roller skating, cinema, take a walk and try to find various objects, find a animal park or zoo, beach (if its warm),
paint at home, board games, make cakes.
hope theres a few ideas there

Answer 9

Most local libraries have story telling afternoons where they do face painting and drawing. Our library also does wriggle and rhyme where they dance to music and exercise. My neighbour takes her children (mine are grown up) and she doesnt have to pay a thing.

Answer 10

the local park or most swimming baths offer free swimming for school age children now and all kids love swimming