• Organization
• The ability to think through an activity
• How to help with a budget
• How to read a newspaper, guidebook or web site

Feel free to send Shirlee your own suggestions for free or low cost family outings, and she'll list them here, and credit you!

Include time involved, appropriate ages and cost. Click here to Contact Us.


FREE
Local gardens, zoos and museums - all ages
Most have a monthly free day. call to find out if/when.
Preparation: Learning more about the exhibits, animals, plants, flowers in the garden or museum. Additional activities (depending on ages): Activities range from drawing pictures to writing a report worthy of using at school for an assignment.

College/University campus - all ages
Beautiful, spacious and well-kept grounds. This adventure offers youngsters the opportunity to see first hand where they are headed in the future. No telling what you might discover
Preparation: Activities include finding facts about the school, what famous people attended, sports teams etc.

Tour Your civic center - ages 4-11
Give your kids the chance to know more about the city or town where they live -
Pre-activity: Reading about what makes a city work. Learning how to make a route map and adding to it all the places you will see.

Take a walk - all ages
Walk and talk. Finding out what's around the corner in your neighborhood might be worth discovering.

Book Safari - ages 2 until they can go on their own
Libraries provide computers, internet access and more books than the kids can ever read.

Book store - ages 2 - 10
Bookstores have a wonderful children's section. You don't have to buy anything but can spend hours with the kids reading books in a great environment.

Vote - ages 2-10
Take your kids with you to the polls on election day. There's a voting machine available they can practice on while learning to take civic responsibility seriously. They'll even be given an "I Voted" sticker from the polling place volunteers.

Pet store/animal shelter - ages 2-10

Ethnic festivals - ages 2-20 Learn about other cultures festivals offer music, costumed dancers, and information booths. Money can change hands on this one as there is food (you can always take your own picnic lunch), games and trinkets to buy


Low Cost

Take A Ride - ages 5-10
A ride in the car can take on new importance when the activity of routing the venture is given to the kids. A tour of the town looking for specific landmarks is an excellent no cost (well gasoline) experience. 5-10

Get on the bus - ages 4-7
If you regularly use public transportation this isn't for you. But for those holed up in their cars, a ride on Metrolink, bus or subway is a real thrill for youngsters. You don't necessarily have to have a destination, either.

The show must go on - ages 7 - up
Reduced ticket prices for major theatrical performances are often available. Call performing arts centers for information on when and how reduced tickets are available.

Movies - ages 5 - up (only G rated)
Some families still enjoy GOING to movies. You don't have to take all the children on the same movie day. This makes a special one on one outing. It reduces cost of activity. Only go to bargain matinees. AND most important DO NOT go to the snack bar. Get a treat somewhere after leaving theater!

Straight to video - all ages Video rentals have something for the entire family. The main idea is to get them returned on time. Watch for the rental specials.

Grocery shopping - ages 5 - up
You're doing this anyway. Make it an activity where the kids can make a meaningful contribution instead of being whiners at the check out. Here's how: they assist in preparing list! each child has food category they are responsible for finding at the store (produce, dairy, coupon items, etc..) / predetermine how much each category might cost! talk about what you have to spend include payment options - cash, check, credit card, ATM!.