| It's so much fun having kids. It's a great excuse to | | | | listening to local musicians. |
| do the things you used to do as a kid all over again. | | | | 5. Book a tour of a factory. Are there any large food |
| But, as you know, it's expensive enough taking care | | | | or candy factories or newspaper printers near you? |
| of their basic needs, and there isn't always much | | | | Most offer free tours, if you ask, and even give out |
| money left over for entertainment. So, I've compiled | | | | free samples sometimes. |
| a list of the top 10 free things to do with kids in any | | | | 6. Camp out. Kids love camping out in the backyard. |
| city: | | | | Set up a tent and sleeping bags and they'll come up |
| | | | with their own fun. |
| 1. Join a playgroup. is one of many great sources you | | | | 7. Go for a hike. This activity is best with small babies |
| will find on the Internet to locate a free playgroup in | | | | or older kids. Preschool age kids may not be up for |
| your area. If there isn't one listed near you, you can | | | | the challenge of hiking trails. But if your child is still a |
| start one. | | | | baby, purchase a baby backpack and you're ready to |
| 2. Watch airplanes take off. This isn't very popular | | | | go. Be sure to bring lots of water, sunscreen, and |
| with babies, of course, but it's great for your older | | | | hats for you and baby. |
| kids. For a heart-pounding experience, see if you can | | | | 8. Check out DVDs from the library. These are |
| find a place to lie down right under the path where | | | | usually free but due back in a short amount of time |
| the planes take off. | | | | or you get a hefty fine. There are selections for |
| 3. Volunteer at a nursing home. I made a bunch of | | | | adults and kids as well as audio books for your long |
| chocolate chip cookies and took my kids to a local | | | | road trips. |
| nursing home to hand them out. The elderly loved it | | | | 9. Attend an outdoor concert. Check your local |
| and my kids learned a valuable lesson about giving | | | | newspaper calendar of events each weekend to see |
| and sharing. Note: Make sure that the home you take | | | | who is playing and where. Sometimes you can spread |
| them to isn't for patients with dementia. The | | | | out and set up a picnic on a blanket for your family. |
| occasional outbursts can frighten children. | | | | 10. Go for a ride. On a bus, ferry, trolley, or train |
| 4. Visit a local farmers' market. Technically you can | | | | young kids usually ride for free. It's something |
| wander around and not spend money here, but you | | | | different and fun for kids on the go. |
| know you probably will. To make it a break-even | | | | Even what we consider mundane errands can be fun |
| "free" event, don't purchase produce at your weekly | | | | for little kids. They see the world in a fresh new way |
| trip to the super market and buy your produce at | | | | we have forgotten. Slow down a little, be ready to |
| the farmers' market instead. And there's always | | | | answer their myriad questions, and try to see things |
| some kid-friendly activities at your local farmers' | | | | as they see them. It might just become a magical |
| market, such as face painting, or the possibility of | | | | day for you, too. |