How to Have Cheap Holiday Fun for Kids
Affordable Ideas to Keep Children Amused during School Breaks
Nov 21, 2008
Kids are not very fussy when it comes to holiday fun. All they want is a jolly good time with family and friends. If a family vacation or a trip to the theme park is out of question, there is plenty to do right where you live. And no, there is no need to reach too deep into the pocket. Check out some cheap holiday fun ideas here.
Head for the Beach
If there is a beach nearby, make use of it. There are many activities the whole family can enjoy there. Swimming, surfing, building sandcastles, collecting seashells and pebbles and playing beach volleyball are just some of the fun stuff to do. There are no tickets to pay and the family can spend the whole day there. Just remember to slap on some sunscreen and pay attention to warning signs.
Have a Picnic at the Park
Many parks also have playgrounds, barbeque areas, picnic tables and toilets. So they make good amusement centers for kids. Have a family picnic there. To maximize the fun, invite a couple of other families along. While the kids play, their parents can prepare a barbeque lunch or just relax and chat with family and friends.
Organize a Mini Treasure Hunt
This can be done inside the house or in the backyard or both. Wake up early one morning and hide treasures like candy, stickers and small toys in various spots within the house and out in the garden. Leave a trail of clues, draw up a map send the little adventurers on a treasure hunt. The kids will be thrilled each time they pick up a treasure!
Visit the Library
Libraries often have special programs for kids during holidays. These include story-telling sessions, art and craft activities, exhibitions, games and other school holiday workshops. Many of these are free community services. Bookings may be required for some of the activities. So do check with the library first.
Go to Shopping Malls
Make use of school holiday events sometimes organized by shopping malls. Look through the local newspaper to see which shopping mall is hosting magic shows, puppet shows, song and dance performances, free mini train rides, etc. Some shopping malls also house indoor playgrounds for kids. There is a fee for these but they are often minimal and the kids can spend as much time as they like in there.
Take a Ride around the City
Instead of driving around in the family car, try using public transport such as buses, trains, trams and ferries. That way, no one has to do the driving and everyone gets to look out for interesting buildings and landmarks as the ride progresses. In many cities, some public transport companies offer family discounts on weekends that allow families to have unlimited rides anywhere within the city using any mode of transport. Kids will love these rides even if they are going nowhere!
Enroll Kids in School Holiday Programs
Some kids may bulk at the thought of going to summer or boot camps. Well, there are other cheaper options with fun activities for just a day or two. Enroll kids in sports clinic, art workshops, ten pin bowling, cooking classes, rock climbing lessons, etc. Parents will have to pay for these but these are usually not very costly. The kids will have heaps of fun and make new friends too.
Invite Friends over
This works very well with older, school-going kids. Let the kids invite some of their friends over for a movie marathon or a sleepover at home. They can have fun and games, junk food and snacks and sleep late at night! You may want to arrange with the other parents to take turns hosting these little gatherings.
It doesn’t have to cost a bomb to keep kids entertained and busy during school holidays. Cheap holiday activities are everywhere if parents keep a lookout for them. The beach, neighborhood park, local library, shopping malls, public transport services and the home can all offer cheap yet fun activities for kids and families.
Related Article:
How to Have Cheap Christmas Fun for Children
