What are your favourite free and/or low cost outings for your family?

Question

I am particularly interested in ideas for children between 8 and 12. I would like us to go out more as a family but the cost of doing so stops us.

Answer 1

I know where you're coming from, as I have four children (ages 4, 6, 8, and 11). It's very expensive to take them to places! We went to the Aquarium this summer and it cost $70 for about a 2-hour visit (and yes, I searched all over for discounts first and was unable to find anything worth pursuing).

One thing that our family has decided to do is to choose one or two places a year that we'll buy an annual family membership for. For example, this year we have membership to the Zoo and the Children's Museum. For a family of 6, membership costs about the same as 2 visits, and we can return as often as we want for the rest of the year. Your family may have different interests (probably too old for the Children's Museum), but consider finding a place or two that you like and could see yourself returning to several times over the year. Next year get a membership to somewhere else, so that you don't get too bored. (If you have generous gift giving relatives, put a membership on your wish list).

It's too late this season, but we took advantage of the Regal Cinema's Family Film Festival this summer (they do it nationwide, and every summer). Basically they offer two choices of last year's movies for free. The showtimes are only in the morning, so this may not work if you're not a Stay-at-home-parent. I make a stipulation that there will be no treat buying of any kind (otherwise it defeats the purpose of free), and only buy treats during the very last movie (if there hasn't been any begging). If you have any drive-ins near your house, they are cheaper than movies (especially since you can bring your own snacks) and are a novelty event for kids that age.

If you don't mind crowds, check the websites of all the places nearby. Most will have one free or discounted day per month. Take advantage of those and other specials. Our local roller skating rink had a 'customer appreciation month' this summer, and offered a free evening skate session every week.

As already mentioned, check your Parks and Rec department. Ours offered free summer children's concerts all summer and also had free outdoor movies on Friday nights. There are other seasonal options, but most of these events take place in the summer. Not to mention, they'll have a list of parks in your area; it may be fun to explore all the ones you haven't been to yet (my older two are starting to get bored of traditional parks, but we've found some newly built ones that they've loved).

Researching via the internet and the local newspaper really are your best bet for finding the free community events and discounted prices.

Best of luck!

~Kyanna

Answer 2

We live in Melbourne which is a city blessed with many beautiful parks. Catch a train on Sunday on a family saver pass (cheap) take a back pack filled with picnic finger food and roller blade or wander around any one of those parks. Catching a train is novelty enough, but often there'll be free concerts, or craft markets. It's a wonderful place to live.

Answer 3

Go to your city's website and look under "tourism".
You will find amazing stuff to do and see "in your own backyard". A lot of it is free (or cheap) and fun.

Check out neighboring cities too.

The state's website is good if you want to go for a day trip.

Also, look at the "Parks and Recreation" department. They have classes, trips, all sorts of activities that are very affordable.
Some parks have music and other activities, especially in summer.

Consider volunteering.
It's work, but also valuable lessons, and you meet great people.
Again, the city's website will have info

Answer 4

My kids love to pack a picnic and go to the local wildlife preserve. Boys tend to be more interested in this than girls, but the girls have fun too. The shapes of different trees and leaves can stimulate some great conversations. Finding different shaped rocks on the river bank or shells can lead kids into a variety of questions.

My daughter loves her telescope and just going out and looking at the stars is a big deal to her.

And of course there is the great entertainment of fishing, the kids usually don't catch much but they have great fun doing it. Just remember you're not going to get much of a chance to fish since you will be the one baiting the hook and helping them untangle the lines and reeling stuff in.

Have Fun!!!!!

Answer 5

the park. My family goes to the same park every year for a reunion. We play horse shoes, tennis, bad mitten, volley ball, baseball, go hiking, etc. We do anything we can think of... even if it's a watermelon seed spittin contest. We have a blast. We pack a lunch, take lots of cameras, and things to do and we just hang out as a family.

Answer 6

We would do a thing called Geocaching. It is like a treasure hunt but with a GPS. If you don't want to spend the money on a GPS there is something similar called Letterboxing. You can do it in any part of the country and you get to see some neat places in your town that you don't know exist.

http://www.letterboxing.org
http://www.geocaching.com

Answer 7

I like going for walks around town with the kids. Going to the park. things like that are free and fun.

Answer 8

Drive in movies! Flea markets, parks, beach, walk downtown, play pool those are things we do that are cheap!

Answer 9

camping, beach, picnic, parks, fishing, float a river on a tube, ride in the country, petting zoo, "trade" barbecues with friends & family, hiking, target shooting, fly a kite. hope it helps!