When I was working as a registered child minder I was always on the lookout for ideas for cheap activities and places to take the children.
We often went to the local soft play facility at the leisure centre where several child minders would meet up with the children, we even managed to get a discount on the entry fee.
Meeting up with other local child minders is great as it not only gives the minders some much needed adult conversation, but also means that the children get to socialise with each other ( this is something that many parents feel that their children are missing out on by not using a larger setting).
I lived within walking distance of a park so that was another regular place to visit and meet up with others for a picnic lunch weather permitting. I even campaigned to get the play equipment upgraded read about it here
As well as using the park for the play apparatus, we also took along bread to feed the ducks
and sometimes I took paper and crayons to do brass rubbings of the different tree barks and collect fallen leaves for brass rubbing back at my house, plus the children would look out for ‘treasures’ such as acorns, conkers and sycamore keys.
The garden centre was somewhere else that we often visited, I was able to walk the children using a safe footpath. We spent time looking at the various plants and the pet department was a favourite for those who had pets: this was a great way of opening new topics of conversation. My garden centre has an area known as Jungle land( which has free entry)
containing tropical plants including a banana tree and some animals such as turtles and chipmunks Read about an adventure at the garden centre here.
Activities at home included the usual playing with toys, painting and play dough, plus a selection of arts and crafts here
Weekly visits to the library were worthwhile as libraries often host their own events for children like singing sessions and crafts. Read about the benefits of using a library here
On the way home from the library we would go into the pet shop to see the animals, I made it clear to the children that they couldn’t handle the animals and we weren’t buying just looking at the rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters.
Hopefully these activities will give other parents and carers inspiration.
As always questions and comments are welcome, if you have a question please leave it as a comment. I will answer all questions to the best of my knowledge..
Until next time.
Karen
x
This blog proves that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to keep children happy. . Some really good ideas Karen , well done
Thank you Pearl
There is always cheap or free things to do with kids. They don’t need you to spends lots of money to have fun sometimes! #kcacols
That’s true, Tracey
Very true, Tracey, my ideas have hopefully helped others to avoid spending lots of money
Some fabulous ideas there. There’s so much pressure on parents to entertain their children and some end up costing an absolute fortune because they forget about the simple things. My girls used to love a visit to a park, or picnic with friends.
#KCACOLS
Fab ideas! Sometimes the simplist things are the best X #anythinggoes
Thanks, Sam
Using our play areas and nature were a lifeline for me with 5 young boys, if I didn’t have them here at Coombe Mill I’d have been at the parks everyday. #KCACOLS
Great ideas here … I think it’s also good for the minder to go to interesting places, both to have the kids occupied in educational activities, but to enjoy the outing more #DreamTeam
Hello there, just popping back with #StayClassyMama xx
I too drag kids to gaden centres – some have amazing installations. I once got a phone call from a mum asking me where exactly I had taken her child as she couldn’t understand his description of Eden (it was Eden Gardens, about 9 suburbs away from us and had a water feature wall and a twoer you could climb up and stand on the balcony and over look the whole area – he was telling her it was a castle with a waterfall). Hehehe #Stayclassymama
OMG, I promise I am not stalking you, this is my third comment on your post, LOL x Have a fab weekend x
#ThatFridayLinky
Ha! no worries. Lisa thanks for stopping by so many times!
There is certainly no correlation between price and enjoyment! So often the free things are the most fun.
Fantastic list of free and frugal activities with kids #KidsandKreativity
We went to so many free activities and events in Scotland on our holiday and I hope to find things closer to home so we can make some savings! Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging
My grandchildren live in Scotland and they attend many cheap activities
I love all of these! All fab, great fun ideas that definitely won’t break the bank! #KCACOLS
Thanks, very kind
Some of the best days out or activities are free! Thanks for sharing Karen #KidsandKreativity
I used to take my eldest to the children’s centre every week but they gradually reduced their activities and have all closed now. Thanks for linking up with #stayclassymama
Love all these ideas for cheap activities. We often pop to the local garden centre to look at the fish and trips to the park are always good fun. #KidsandKreativity
Oh you have shared some wonderful activities to do with the children that won’t cost too much. Thank you so much for linking with us for #kcacols and we hope to see you next time.
Some great ideas! We often visit our local libary and attend their events. Thanks for linking up with #KidsandKreativity, hope to see you back next time x
Sounds like you do some really great days out! We are lucky to have a childminder who is always out and about doing similar activities.
Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time