Less expensive activities for kids

[HipGal]

Hi all,

Anyone want to share ideas for kids' activities that aren't too expensive? Right now the kids are in swimming, gymnastics and violin - all of which are costing us a lot. I'd like to find some other activities that aren't so expensive. I'm thinking about things they can do on a regular basis (weekly or monthly). My goal would be for them to make friends, learn, have positive adult role-models, etc.

Ideas so far:

4H (Around here it is like $30 per year or something. Though our local group is closed to new members).

Girl Scouts (when dd is a bit older)

[K1329]

Our city government funds a recreation department. Our neighborhood gym offers softball, cheerleading, soccer, etc. throughout the year at a very low cost. They also offer art, dancing, cooking, etc. classes for kids.
Also, the school my dd attends is offers sports/clubs that meet weekly, or, a couple of times a month, at little to no cost.
Check your city services and school options.

[lolar2]

Violin is one of the most expensive instruments, so even just switching to a woodwind or something would save a little money, if it's not that important to them what they play.

[phathui5]

The YMCA here has a lot of cheap activities.

[onthemove]

check out the library programs around here they are free and the kids love them! today we signed up for the summer reading program and each week they meet for an hour, listen to stories, take out more books and we log their reading time and they can win prizes (books) and at the end there is a party.

we take in the art gallery (by donation) and I usually tie it in with a treat from the farmers market that sets up next door.

geocaching (need a gps) is another great family adventure/treasure hunting activity (just the cost of fuel and food depending on how far you have to go)

we take a break in the summer from all structured activities because they are structured from September til June.

[EmsMom]

All of the local villages around here have recreational sports such as soccer, baseball, basketball, etc. They are usually pretty low key and I think they run around $20 for registration for each sport. That includes one or two games a week and/or practices. And a t-shirt. Their gear such as cleats I often find as a hand me down, but one pair of cleats currently works for baseball and soccer and so on the whole, not too expensive. Lots of running around, though.

[becoming]

We're moving in August, and our new town has an arts council that offers community theater, art classes, etc. for kids. The classes are pretty inexpensive, plus you pay by the week and you don't have to go every week.

Another idea is to have someone who is looking for experience (college or high school student) teach your child an instrument. I bet you could find someone who didn't charge nearly as much, or might even do it for free just for the experience.

[zebra15]

Swimming, gymnastics and violin but waiting for girlscouts til DD is older? That makes me think you have a preschooler cuz dont GS start at kindy?

Gym and music are $$...
THe library is FREE (most times)
If you get a membership to a zoo or museum it will get you discounted rates on the classess (most times)

I also ask if the program has a scholarship fund or financial aid available.

Many many times DS just doesn't do activites because of cost. This was his first real year of having planned activities and he is 9! Most of the things were on scholarship or F-aid. But we've had a great time up until know with memberships and classes that way. I don't know what the coming year is going to hold.

[HipGal]

Thanks all for your input!

My older son is the one taking violin, but it is part of his school's curriculum so we can't switch instruments. We don't have to do private lessons, however. We kind of fell into in because he had a great teacher available and I wanted him to get a good basis to start with. His current teacher is probably moving over the summer, so we will probably stop. Though he was saying he still wants to take lessons. Finding a student is a great idea.

Our local recreation dept is still pretty expensive. I will definitely look into the YMCA. Geocaching is a fun idea - I bet ds would love that. The school charges quite a bit for all afterschool activities. I am keeping my eye out for activities & sports that are more parent-volunteer based, I think that keeps costs down.

[HeatherAtHome]

At out local arena (owned by college but shared with town) there are free skate nights where it's open to the public.

Instead of actual swimming lessons, could you just hang out at a pool or lake?

Love the library idea.

[MusicalMeg]

We use the library a lot. I signed ds up for the summer reading program, and we go to storytime every week. I love storytime because it is the same group of kids most weeks, so ds has been able to make some friends.

We have a zoo membership, so we go fairly often- at least once or twice a month. For our family, it was only around $85 for the year, so quite affordable.

I also joined some local meetup groups, and we do playdates at the park, nature walks, craft playdates, that kind of thing. Free, and ds has made some wonderful friends (as have I!)

We don't do any real classes yet, ds is only 3.

[mmgarda]

Boys & Girls Club

Check for a local Boys & Girls Club. In our neighborhood it is $50/week for 8AM-6PM M-F. Pool and lifeguard, gym, playground, arts & crafts, games, computer, movies AND food. You can do it like a day camp type thing and you don't have to do the whole summer or the whole time.

[VisionaryMom]

Originally Posted by HipGal

Finding a student is a great idea.

That's fine, but please don't cheat a student out of a decent rate. I'm speaking on behalf of all creative folks here, but we're often asked to work for free or less than living wages because we "love" what we do or "want experience." Obviously a student will be less expensive than an established instructor, but the student still should get a good wage.

[orangecanoe]

I would check local walking trails and nature centers. The ones near us have a decent amount of science programming, some story hours and art events.

[smokeylo]

Go poke around the recreation section of your community's local government website. And any in surrounding towns! The library websites are also great. I became a SAHM for the summer and have been able to keep us busy every morning and most afternoons with free activities. I made a huge list of free or nearly free things:

- story time at the libraries, and they do 2 storytimes at parks during the summer FREE
- play/read at libraries FREE
- Tot Lot/open gym play at rec centers $1.25/kid
- splashpad
- parks of various kinds FREE
- beach swim areas instead of pools FREE
- hiking trails FREE
- our community does a free family movie night

I live right next door to an amazing rec center that I NEVER USE because it can be pricy. However, they do schedule summer activities that are free for older kids, like fishing days, so I keep an eye on them.

[Amanda L]

I didn't read all the replies, so sorry if I'm repeating . . .

The activities I take the boys to are the library, walking trails/parks and the science center. I love the science center the most since the exhibits are so interactive and constantly changing . . .

[Chicky2]

FTR, I have 2 kids taking violin, and I have not found it to be "one of the most expensive instruments". Violins were only $100 each and the lessons are $55/hr (both kids are at the same level so far), 4 times a month at our home.

We like to go pick fruits, nuts, berries, etc... Usually free and a great activity! Then they can help process all our found goodies. Look at your local wildlife preserves/parks--often you can pick for free or very low-cost.

[ameliabedelia]

4-H is a good idea.

There are also lots of groups that "similar" to girl scouts, (Roots and Shoots, Earth Scouts, Heritage Girls (is Christian), etc.). Some of them might be okay for younger kids. I also think some of them might be cheaper than girl scouts.

In my experience, sports like soccer or basketball are cheaper than things like gymnastics or dance. I think martial arts also tend to run cheaper than gymnastics as well.

Sometimes nature centers offer science programs.

If you are religious/christian many churchs offer vacation bible school in the summer for free.

[pigpokey]

My 6yo daughter's violin teacher is 12. Many middle school age children make excellent teachers.

Originally Posted by ameliabedelia

In my experience, sports like soccer or basketball are cheaper than things like gymnastics or dance. I think martial arts also tend to run cheaper than gymnastics as well.

I'm sure this is true on average, but in any decent size city, you don't know what you'll find until you comparison shop. That can be very time consuming -- but can be worth the time $$ wise.

Subsidized team gymnastics (county, YMCA, etc) can be shockingly cheaper than private gym, when it's availalble.

If it would fit in the schedule for us, there is a nearby city swim team for $140 a YEAR (up to 4 practices a week). Many people pay that much for one month of private swim team. The info about that team is very hard to find! You really have to work to get info about some county & city programs if you don't have a super organized parks and rec.

Dance through the county or a church ministry can also be incredibly affordable. Right now my daughter is dancing 3+ hours a week in the basement of a church and it's the best instruction she's ever had.

[lolar2]

Originally Posted by Chicky2

FTR, I have 2 kids taking violin, and I have not found it to be "one of the most expensive instruments". Violins were only $100 each and the lessons are $55/hr (both kids are at the same level so far), 4 times a month at our home.

It's more at the advanced level-- a professional-quality trombone is much cheaper than a professional-quality violin.