Why sometimes keeping it simple is good

Have you ever heard the story of the little boy who came home all exited from a school field trip? When his parents asked what he liked the most about the trip, the boy answered without any doubt, that the kiosk across the street from the museum, where the kids bought candy, was the best!

This is so true! Kids don’t necessarily need and appreciate doing fancy, costly things, especially when they are younger.

I must admit that I sometimes have bad conscience that I can’t afford taking my kids to Disney Land, Legoland and the zoo as often as I would like. But you know what; they don’t necessarily need to visit these expensive places!

Children like simple. Children like to dig in the dirt, feed the ducks, play with water and just be kids.

Of course it also depends on the kids’ ages. Older kids will most likely appreciate some more complex activities. But for now, don’t feel bad about saving that money.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. 

Here is a list of 10 simple, but fun things, you can do with your kids -FOR FREE.

1. Feed the ducks and squirrels- We have a nearby park with a lake that host several different kinds of ducks and squirrels as well. Going there used to be one of our favorite things to do when the kids were younger. We still go there occasionally and we always bring some bread to feed the ducks. Make sure to bring some snacks and a blanket as well. 
2. Visit the local library- If it’s just to borrow books, read or look around or to participate in a free class -the library is a great place for most kids. If you haven’t done so recently, check out the free classes your local library has to offer. Ours has story times, crafts and even kids yoga, just to name a few.
3. Free workshops and classes- Several stores host free classes or workshops for kids. However, sometimes you might need to pay for materials used.  Home Depot, for example, has a free kids workshop the first Saturday each month. Apparently it’s a very popular workshop. If you would like to participate, make sure to sign up early. Michaels and Lakeshore also have free or low cost craft classes. Please check your local stores for more.
4. Go for a (spontaneous) hike- Some of our most precious moments have been when I just took the kids off for a spontaneous hike. Just go outside and don’t rush. Maybe pick some flowers or collect sticks or rocks (depending on where you live). Just wander off…
5. Make a craft from what you collected from your hike- If you collected rocks you can paint them in beautiful colors or make little trolls with the help of some eyes and faux fur. If you collect sticks you can either paint them or wrap them with yarn. This is a really fun activity for the kids (and you).
6. Go to the beach or lake- Admit that most kids LOVE water. And in a beach full of sand lies a possibility of endless play that will most likely give your children several hours of fun. Playing in sand and water is a very good sensorial activity. It makes the children use their imagination. If you don’t have a beach nearby, maybe there is a local pool in your area?
7. Stop on the side of the road- Sometimes, when I have time, I just stop the car at a random interesting looking place I feel a sudden urge of exploring. Most likely this is some kind of nature path, but it can also be an interesting building or a church or other landmark. This is not only exiting for the kids, but also for you. It’s fun to explore new places!
8. Bake something together- I admit that I don’t always have the patience to have the kids around me when I bake. But this time I’m talking about baking just for the sake of doing something fun together. Kids LOVE helping in the kitchen -especially if the end result is something yummy!
9. Treasure hunt- Why not organizing a simple treasure hunt? Children love searching for things. You can do it outside in the park, back yard or even inside your house. Put out some clues on where to go next to eventually find the treasure. If you want you could also draw up a simple map they can follow. If you have older kids, it’s a very good idea to have them make a treasure hunt for the younger ones. Sometimes I use the regular easter eggs to hide candy in our yard.
10. Scavenger hunt- Take the kids to a nature trail and have them look for certain things. Have the kids check off their findings on a free printable. Maybe you would like to try this FREE PRINTABLE from “Make and take”? I liked that specific one, but you can find many more on Pinterest.

Last tips

I hope you found this list of simple and frugal things to do with your children helpful. While kids enjoy visiting theme parks and museums from time to time, it is important you know there are many other options out there. Check your local stores for free classes, your local museums for “free days” and make sure you check out your local community calendar (website). You’ll be surprised how many free activities are out there! And remember -simple is good! Feel free to comment below if you would like to share any other good ideas of free and fun activities.

Happy summer!

Read more similar posts