Nannies, home care providers, team organizers, and stay-at-home parents on a budget take note! There is an exciting array of free fun available year-round...the key is to know where to look! Here are 10 places to look for FREE fun, entertainment and enrichment beyond the ever-popular neighborhood parks for kids to turn those complaints of "what a bore" into "let's do more!"
1. Your Public Library Features Free Fun Beyond Simple Storytelling
Have you checked out your city's public library lately? Many librarians have really become creative in developing free fun programs for kids. The programs go beyond traditional reading hours or storytellers--although those are wonderful as well. Some program examples include mad scientist activities where children make their own "goop" and wizardry school where participants concoct potions. Some programs are during weekdays; others are on weekends or evenings. 2. Grocery Stores Can Nurture Those Future Chefs & Bakers
Seek our your neighborhood grocery store manager, and you might be amazed of the little-known free offerings for kids. Bakers sometimes offer free cake decorating classes or special holiday creations by aspiring children chefs. Some gourmet stores feature cooking kitchens and offer free fun classes and demonstrations for children. Some grocers offer free fun activities as a customer draw or positive community relations; others charge only for the cost of actual food used.3. Beauty Schools Have Free Fun In Exchange For Experience
Aspiring beauticians need students to cut and style hair or perform manicures and pedicures on, and junior students often don't even charge. One mother had her young daughter's birthday party at a beauty school where beginning students created fancy up-do's and polished the girls fingernails and toenails--for free! Call your local beauty school and see what free fun specials they may offer in exchange for experience.4. Neighborhood Camps Offer Fun And Friendship
A growing trend among neighborhood groups where there are lots of young children are "camps." Usually, these camps involve 3-6 similar-aged children who go on special outings or participate in activities together with others in the neighborhood. Sometimes, there is a designated camp parent; other times the camp is set up on a rotating basis. Typically, activities involve either no fees or minimal admission charges and the kids make friends that will last much longer than the camps. 5. Pet Stores Feature Friendly Loving Care
What kid doesn't love pets and what pet doesn't seek attention? The combination can be a great fit for entertainment and volunteer value as well. Many pet stores, animal shelters, and veterinarians seek helpers to provide basic grooming, exercise, and some good ol' loving! Many places will actually establish a free fun schedule that can be built into your routine.6. Tours Mean Entertainment And Enrichment Too!
Company tours and enrichment activities are often offered as positive PR. Tours are offered in your area; just think of what might be an entertaining or informative place to visit, and ask! Many major newspapers offer print production tours; transportation companies sometimes offer free fun tours or excursions for children. Even tours of behind-the-scenes activities can be free fun, such as distribution centers, mail sorting, currency mints, dairy farms, lumber yards, and more.7. Performance Venues Offer Free Viewings
While a professional production may be too costly for a group, have you considered asking whether your kids can attend a rehearsal? Or, better yet, a dress rehearsal? Many theatre groups allow children's groups to watch in the audience and see the production as free fun. The only aspect missing is the open concession stand with all the goodies sold at actual performances...and is that necessarily bad? The key is: "ask!"8. Food Tours Feature Free Fun And Sometimes Food!
How are potato chips made? How are soft drinks packaged? How is ice cream produced? If you live around a larger city, then most certainly there is a production plan of some type nearby. Smaller communities often do as well. Many food production plants feature a friendly customer area and free fun tours can be arranged--often with tasty sampling at the end. 9. Park & Recreation Departments Offer Free Sprees
Some Park & Recreation Departments are beefing up the public relations aspect of activities by offering free fun "mini-camps" or "sampler days" to let children experiment with offerings and see for themselves what may interest them as a class or hobby later. Or, if not, be the one to suggest it. If your child is considering soccer but is not sure, perhaps there is a "try it out" feature to participate in--with no financial strings attached. 10. Sports Teams and Helpers: Free Fun Opportunities
It doesn't have to be a professional team to get kids connected. Sports teams of all levels and types practice year-round, and many actively recruit "helpers" to assist with equipment and other light duties. The benefit is that the children are exposed to the sport and get to practice as well with the bigger kids. In some sports, the teams will offer the young assistant a uniform as part of the "perk" of the job.
