Comments on: Eight Inexpensive Family Outings

By: Maggie

Maggie — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 21:05:09 +0000

If we took the kids to a fair or carnaval, we would go in the evening after dinner so the kids would not be expecting dinner. But we would get one treat – usually a funnel cake or two (about $5 each) and share that along the way. Kids love being up late and getting a special treat really makes it extra fun.
Also, we loved the children’s theatre that was in the outdoor amphitheatre in our community. When my daughter got older, she would be in some of the plays and it was neat to see her perform.
We live near Washington DC where lots of museums are free and nothing is better than a cool museum on a weekday when everyone else is working. Our house is not air-conditioned so we loved the air-conditioning. My husband and I still visit the museums when I have vacation days.
Finally, an ice cream cone at the local park cannot be beat. I have brought my own cooler and ice cream to the park. Kids love popcycles and who cares if they are from home.

By: Tanya

Tanya — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 16:46:17 +0000

I think cultural events and festivals are great fun! Our city has an event they called “Summer Nights on Seventh” (Seventh St.) downtown. There’s always live music, stores are open later, people can walk around and enjoy the music or choose to shop, eat downtown, etc. It’s a huge hit – and you don’t have to spend a lot to have some fun.

By: Katie

Katie — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:34:16 +0000

JS, along the same lines, when I was a kid, my mom would sometimes take us to the airport to watch the planes land and take off. Might be harder now that you can’t go through security, but there might also be places where you can get a decent view in the unsecured places.

By: JS

JS — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:23:07 +0000

I was on the light rail in Phoenix this spring and there was a little boy who was so excited to be on the train and to see everything outside. Not the most conventional of outings, but an all-day pass on the train is $3.50 for adults and $1.75 or free for kids, depending on age, and there’s stuff to see and do along the line. Plus, I would think it has the additional benefit of normalizing public transportation for the child- many peopleI meet are afraid of trying it.

By: bogart

bogart — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:01:14 +0000

Our town has an (indoor) swimming pool, an annual family pass to which costs a pittance (OK, not an actual pittance, rather, $500, but for as much as we use the pool — easily 4 times/week year round — it works out to a pittance).

I recently bought an inflatable Sea Eagle kayak (no affiliation but am very happy with the product, I got the cheapest, about $250, which is an SE 330) and now 1 or 2 days a week we go to a nearby lake that is accessible with no launch fee. The inflatable boat collapses easily to fit in the back of my Matrix. I prefer the kayak to trying to bike with my (one preschool-aged) kid because in the kayak I don’t have to worry about him heading off in some other direction or into traffic.

Besides parks, we go to our public schools in the summer and use their playgrounds — the nearest playground to our house happens to be a school’s rather than a park’s.

The library.

For bigger outings, the beach, the mountains (we live a ~3 hour drive from each). Closer by, any lake creek or river, especially in this hot weather, and fling rocks into it or dam it.

By: Allie

Allie — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:59:07 +0000

Genny, how about taking them to volunteer at an animal shelter instead? They still get to look at cute animals while doing something wonderful.

By: Genny

Genny — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:40:16 +0000

Our Metro Parks department has a lot of cool programs in the summer…last year they had a family program where we got in a local stream and looked for wildlife using small nets. Messy but my daughter loved it! They also sponsor evening hikes with naturalists, etc. Even now that she is ten, my daughter’s (and her friends) favorite free outing is a visit to the pet store. I always tell the pet store employees we are just there to look, and not in the market for another pet.

By: Max From Liquid

Max From Liquid — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:06:40 +0000

Here we are in the land of the free and things to do should be free. Interestingly, Cornell University professor Tom Gilovich conducted a study showing that experiences, not material possessions or material purchases, are what leads to greater long-term enjoyment. Isn’t it gratifying that the good things in life don’t have to be the most expensive? Keeping more of your money keeps you LIQUID.

By: Michele

Michele — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 02:14:49 +0000

I have to agree with #2Bellen- lots of Churches offer great free events.
My town has a ‘downtown’ event called “Third Thursdays”.
This is a free downtown event with music, entertainment groups, free snacks, children’s activities, wine and food tastings once a month. If you have a ‘downtown’ area you should check it out! Lots of places and local colleges have free outdoor concerts and fun things for families!

By: Bellen

Bellen — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 22:58:58 +0000

We have several city parks that are on the water – we like to watch sailboats, powerboats, fishermen and ask questions, we almost always get good information and have lots of fun.

We also check, on-line, what free events the local malls have. One open-air mall offers free concerts Wed at noon and Friday night 5-8. Another often has animal programs – cat & dog shows, wild animal rescue groups, etc.

Our local college branch offers free nighttime telescope viewings – bring your own or use theirs, lots to learn about the stars and many people there to help

We also go to local churches for free concerts – not all are of religious music and more often than not have instruments like harps and oboes, not the usual guitar and piano.

By: Marinda

Marinda — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 22:33:42 +0000

Every first Sunday, the museums downtown are free. I see the exhibits and parking is free too.

We do alot of camping, the city parks in Texas are wonderful and so are the state parks.

We do early movies only and it’s got to be a must see movie to go into the theater. The library has wonderful programs and there is the music every Friday downtown, free on the plaza.

By: krantcents

krantcents — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 22:16:43 +0000

As a family, we loved to go to the Children’s Museum. It was very hands on and our kids loved it.

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 20:30:39 +0000

Geocaching and letterboxing

By: valleycat1

valleycat1 — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 20:09:08 +0000

Not just state parks, but city or county parks. When we lived in Austin TX years ago, even the city swimming pools were free, well staffed & maintained. Where we live now, during the summer the city sponsors ‘dive-in theater’ nights – they keep the pool open until sundown & then show a movie – admission isn’t free but it’s really inexpensive.

Even just camping out overnight in the backyard is fun for most kids – with or without parents outside with them.