I am a divorced dad now with two boys that I see usually once a week. So I have a question.....?

Question

I had to move back in with my dad cause my ex has the house. Due to child support pmts. and the boys live 1 hour away w/ their mom, I want to do things with them when I go get them, but living in a 2 bedroom apt with my dad and not much money, I don't know what kinds of things I could do with them to keep them entertained. I am trying to get my own apt. to have more room, but money is tight. Does anyone have any ideas on some activities to do with my boys? My boys are 6yrs. and 2 yrs. I love them dearly, I just want to have activities to do with them. Please give me some pointers on activities. Thanks....

Answer 1

Spending time with them is the most important thing. You don't have to worry about spending money at all. Some of my best memories involve me and my dad doing activities that cost almost nothing.

What are you interested in as hobbies? (Aka, what do you want to teach your sons?) Sports? Science? Nature? (Camping, hiking, etc.)

Make sure to have a special activity with each of them that you do ONLY with them. It could be merely sitting in the park and throwing a ball around, or it could be looking at the stars together and teaching your son about constellations.

What they need most from you is the steady knowledge that you love them no matter what, that you are their hero in their lives forever, and that you will be there for them when they need it most.

If you like sports then take them to a nearby park and play catch, frisbee, tag, etc. If you like science, look around online for easy and fun experiements to do together. (The Baking Powder and Vinegar Volcano is always fun. ;))

Look at community activities for summer parades, fairs, etc that are nearby and mostly free.

Good luck with everyone and keep your chin up :)

Answer 2

It's summer and there are so many free outdoor activities you can do with them. Check to see if there is a listing in your area for entertainment and outdoor activities. I know where I live there is something that comes out weekly. Obviously parks are big for kids. But you can also do history centers (free or about $5 bucks each), Children's museums (free or about $5 bucks each), Sports Centers, the zoo (though the darn zoo is getting a little pricey, you can often find coupons for it in the grocery store or in the newspaper). You can take them to a car show, a baseball game (bleacher tickets only $9 bucks). You don't have to be rich to have a good time with your boys. They won't remember that anyway, what they will remember is when dad took the fishing and to the petting zoo and put me up on his shoulders so I could see the giraffe. You sound like a good father, good luck.

Answer 3

fishing, camping, hiking, bike riding, These are all relatively in expensive things to do.
Fishing: if you don't have poles, look for them @ garage/yard sales, let the boys dig up their own worms or create a worm bed for them.
Camping: again you can search for stuff @ sales or second hand stores or just buy it a little bit at a time. Primitive campsites are the cheapest. And if you search out good spots you may be able to find some for free.
Hiking: doesn't cost anything usually except the cost of gas to get there. Also, I do this thing called Geocaching. The kids would enjoy that-but you will need a GPS unit. Go to geocaching.com
Just to name a few things.

Answer 4

Pack a picnic lunch and take them to a park. They can play on the swings, toss a ball with you, and eat. You can take a box and collect bugs (let them go before you leave!).

Take them to the zoo or a natural history museum (usually not too expensive). Teach them about animals, dinosaurs, etc.

Take them to "story time" at the local library. Or take them there yourself and read to them in the children's "pit" there.

Take them to the park and teach them to roller skate or ride bikes or fly kites or play baseball. Even the 2 year old can learn to catch a ball.

Take them to Chucky Cheese or any of the other pizza places that have games.

You are a good dad to try to make the boys happy. Remember...what they want most is to just be with you. What you are doing isn't nearly as important as that you are together...often.

Answer 5

I have a 5 yr old who loves to be daddy's little helper.
Let them help you with things like yard work, hammering nails, etc.
Take them outside to throw a ball or just run around.
Buy some water balloons ($1 at the dollar store!) and have a water balloon fight.
Make a fort out of pillows, blankets and chairs and have a camp out in the living room.
Play wrestle with them.
These things are great and low cost plus you'll actually be spending time with them while you're doing this rather than letting the t.v. babysit.

Answer 6

Try the zoo. It can be pretty inexpensive on certain days. They will like the park as well, just go there and play with them and maybe take a picnic.

If your apt complex has a pool, they will probably enjoy that as well.

Good luck.

Answer 7

My daugther (3) loves the park, "story time" at the library, trips to the mall (to look at the pet store and play with all the toys at the toy barn), the matinee at the theater.. fishing in a stream or lake, local beach at lake is a $1.50 a person, museums (that are kid friendly), going for a walk around the block, local free music events (in paper), and to be honest, spends hours laying in the grass cracking up with a piece of bread feeding the ants tiny pieces and watching them try to fit them in their hole.. Heck, even a trip to the post office is exciting for her.. the most important thing is to just spend time talking to eachother..

Answer 8

6 and 2 is too young start any real activities anyway, so just go to a park and play ball, play on the playground. Get a dog. Ride bikes. My kids liked to play push off the couch. You sit on the couch and they try to get on also, you push them off. Sounds too simple but they love it. It's the one on one time they will remember. Oh, thake them to a kids science center. You can get a yearly membership for 50-100 bucks that is good at 100's of science centers nationwide. Well worth it, airconditioned, the kids love it.

Answer 9

The local park, the local library many have children's programs or story time for free. I think the main thing is you want to spent time with them, and I don't think they will mind where they go as long as they can spend time with their dad.

Ask them, or try your local park and rec dept, they have good programs, and tourist board have listing of free events in the areas. Museums etc usually have a 'get in free day'

Good luck

Answer 10

The park, library, public swimming pool, fun crafts (usually very cheap), bowling (uauslly cheap...though its probably a bit much for teh 2 year old he would still have fun), play in the sprinklers, scavenger hunt, make a tent out of a sheet and yarn or rope, ect.

Here are some more ideas:

http://www.culture.gov.uk/breakout/aa.html

http://www.gameskidsplay.net/

http://fun.familyeducation.com/crafts/games/32870.html

Good luck