Moving to Illinois from Arizona was a big shock. We were accustomed to being outdoors just about every day (except the days over 100 degrees when it was neither safe or comfortable). Even when it was hot in Arizona we could still go swimming to cool off and spend time outside, but here in the Midwest, certain days during the Winter make it impossible to enjoy the outdoors. We have lots of fun at home, but there are times when we just have to get out and find a new environment to avoid Cabin Fever. Yes, I remember the money thing. Many of us don’t have an extra $50 or more money to take the kids out to the movies or bowling, so I have some recommendations for no cost options to get out of the house and have some fun while learning a lot too! These places will also accommodate a variety of ages at the same time so if you have a toddler and a teen you can all enjoy your time together.
1. Visit the Pet Store – No, you don’t have to buy something to be there. You and your children can talk about the various types of fish. Learn the Difference between fresh and salt water fish. See animals that look like plants (sea anemone) ! Some pet stores have snakes, lizards, turtles and even giant spiders! Guinea Pigs, mice, ferrets and more furry animals are always fun for children to see. And many stores have gorgeous birds and parrots that talk. My son and I got to various pet stores and play with the puppies! We feel great taking out a puppy or kitten and playing with them for a bit because it gets the animals out if their cages, gives them some human interaction and is just plain FUN for us! You can tie a trip to the pet store into a learning experience to continue once you get home by having each child pick an animal to research and present their findings to the family. Even little ones two or three years old can sit in your lap and look at online information, color or draw a picture of their animal and learn a fact or two to share.
2. Conservatory/ Botanical Gardens – In Chicago we have a Free Conservatory where we go to soak up all the green nature in the middle of winter. Check your city for something similar because it is warm inside and lush like a paradise to refresh your mind. Many indoor gardens have ponds, play areas or craft centers for children – all free. This is another fun and fabulous learning experience for children! Have the kids take paper (scientific journal) to sketch on to draw and label some of the cool plants that they see. They will be able to learn about the plants there from posted signs so that they can write down new information they learn. You can talk about why plants look different outside in the cold and snow than they do in the warm environment. Upon returning home you can go online and find some great videos about photo synthesis! You could have them color in their plants from memory or reference digital pictures the children take themselves while you are there.
3. The Library – You knew I was going to throw in this most obvious free, indoor attraction. Well, sometimes my son or I feel like we have just been there too many times to go back for awhile but every time we go back we end up having a really wonderful time. Even when we think we may be bored, we find ourselves sitting on the floor in our own little corner of the library quietly reading a book together and it takes us to a different place filled with new adventures or information. We are always glad that we went back. It is also fun to go to the adult section and take out books about US states,Greek Mythology, History, crafts, even cooking and do a coordinating project at home. My son has researched and written about states that he has heard about or where a favorite sports team is from. We have found a recipe to make together or a craft to duplicate at home. I may surprise him today when I am done working and take him to the library to find books on how to do magic tricks! We could practice today and he could put on a show for Dad when he comes home tonight.
Do you have suggestions for our dapper friends on other Free or Inexpensive places to go when the weather makes it difficult to be outside? Please share your ideas in the comment section below. Thanks!!
Hobbies on a Budget
Don’t overlook your salvation army gym or local church rec centers. They often have open to public days where you can go and have open gyms! Great for running off some of that energy. Good ideas!
Jessica
I love spending time at the library, perfect place to go during cold or rainy weather!
Kristie
Great ideas. I love the way you incorporate educational opportunities into your trips. Our area also has free days to various museums and historic sites. The museums are very busy on those days, but you can get out of the house.
Emily
These are great places to visit. I like indoor playgrounds too – we have a few in our area that are safe & clean.
I wish we had a botanical garden, that one looks gorgeous!
Ashley S
I take my toddler to the pet store all the time! It’s such a great “field trip” spot. He loves looking at all the fish and other animals. When they host adoption events, there are tons of puppies and kitties for him to play with too. Such a fun activity and the best part… it’s free 🙂
Karren Haller
What a great idea, take kids to library, get good books the kids can help choose and there free, what a better outing!!
Cheap Is The *New* Classy
I love going to the library! And that botanical gardens reminded me of the solarium at App State {where I went to college}. It had running water, tons of plants and lots of seats. I used to love to go in there and read and do homework. So relaxing.
Dawn
Dena Sablotny
Buy some new board games, enjoy them with popcorn and a favorite drink!
Denise Taylor-Dennis
Movie night/days are fun you can make an event out of it. Or just build a tent/fort with sheets and hang out in it. I live in CA and we can pretty much go outside year round.
okasanbear
We bought a rebounder and the kids love to exercise on that during bad weather. We also love to take walks or hikes and discover all the treasures that are there. We bought each child a camera and that has been a lot of fun to let the children take pictures of the neat things that they discover.
Joni Caraway
JJ Caraway said…
My husband and I bring the children to Lowes Build and Grow Clinic twice a month which is free and the get to build a different kit and get an apron, googles and a iron on patch . They look so forward to going and have really become great at it. We also enjoy doing crafts and painting.
Michelle G
It’s not free, but I suggest getting memberships to museums. The cost might be pricey up front, but the use we get out of ours more than makes up for the price. Our memberships around here begin around $60-70/year, which is good. Plus, most memberships allow you free or discounted entrances to other museums, zoos, etc. across the country.
francis485
we have picnics or go to the park, even just walk thorugh the woods, my kids love this stuff. and it doesnt cost anything
Holly Trudeau
In addition to the library we go to open gym at the local gymnastics center. It’s an hour every day & the kids can just run & play their hearts out, great way to tire them out! It’s not free but it’s only a couple bucks and soooo worth it when it’s yucky outside & everyone’s stir crazy! 🙂
fee roberts
When my kids were little and we couldn’t go outside we would read stories to each other. If the weather was fine we would go to the equestrian center. It’s was free. We would learn how to take care of horses and when they got old enough we were able to ride them. It was so much fun and the kids got a kick out of seeing different breeds and colors and sizes of different horses. They have shut it down now because of funding, so I’m not able to share that experience with my granddaughter.
Nikkie Cossairt
I love to go bowling. I know it is not free, but during the summer they have a program where kids can get 2 free games a day. I also signed up for My boyfriend and myself for an additional one time fee, where we could bowl with them. I think another great idea would be playing family games or creating a memory album with the kids.
Mama Luvs Books
LOVE your big and bright photos!! My kids would LOVE those birds!! I love doing things with my kids and one of their favorite things to do is visit the bird cage at the aquarium!! =)
Kelly A. Tanner
It is always a challenge finding something to do indoors during the Winter that doesn’t involve a video game. These are great suggestions, thanks! Of course there are always crafts if you are stuck inside the house. 🙂
Peteyn
the movies (or rent one), art museum, arcade (if public school kids are still in school!), friend’s house, tree house (fun!!)…
pennelope merriweather
my son is 26 years old and I still buy him lego’s for christmas every year since he was little…he loves them! Thanks for this giveaway!
FireRunner2379
We love the library too. One of our favorite things is to get together with the neighbors, either here or there. The kids really get along, we’ll have lunch or dinner, play games or watch movies.
Anonymous
We like the childeren’s museum it is an interactive place for the kids and on weekends they have special events that are usually free or low cost wilcarvic
[at]gmail[dot[com]]
L
I love the pet shop idea! Often times we’ll stage a full blown picnic indoors when the weather turns sour.
Elle
hey_wren@yahoo.com