Free fun things to do in Dec

[Freebies4US]

Hi Ladies,

Being winter and cold here I am getting a bit fed up staying indoors.  Not much money for expensive outings.  Seems to be really expensive now DD2 is 20 months, so have to pay for her as well everywhere we go.  DD1 is 3.  Have tried lots of indoor games but am running out of ideas, motivation and enthusiasm. 

Does anyone have any good ideas?

Thank you

[bsaros84]

My son is 2 years old and I have a newborn, so we don't get out much. I've had to come up with different ways of keeping him entertained indoors, so I totally get your predicament. Here are some things that we have done:

A tupperware full of dried beans of different kinds. Kids like the different textures.

Turn a box into a wagon with a piece of rope. 

Take a box of cornstarch, add some water, and make "magic mud". It's fun to touch and to drive toy cars through.

Make a fort out of blankets and chairs.

Take a coffee can and clothes pins, glue different colored dots onto the can and the clothes pins and have them match the dots on the pins to the dots on the can by clipping them on.

A yogurt container with a slot cut in the top and some juice can lids can keep a toddler entertained for hours.

I hope that's helpful. These ideas came out of a book I bought recently called "The Toddler Busy Book". They also have one called "The Preschooler Busy Book" that is for older kids. SUCH a lifesaver. I don't know what I'd do without this book! It's really helped me keep my son occupied.

[zebra15]

Go to the library.  The have great kids programs!

[HappyMommy2]

Find free stuff to go look at.  This time of year, we go looking for Christmas lights.  It gets us out of the house for an hour or so in the evenings.  (Remember to bring water and snacks from home!). 

We also go park near the tracks and watch for trains.  We drive to the beach and watch the birds and the waves from the warm car.

Ask the grandparents for a season pass to a local children's museum as a Xmas gift.  For $100 you can go there all year, and it gets you out of the house.

Many malls have free play spaces.

[Freebies4US]

Thank you so much for your ideas.  I intend on wrapping up and getting out as much as I can just to see our locality and see what is going on.  I am also going to get inventive with the furniture - thank you bsaros84. It is amazing how much you really can do if you look for it.  Thank you for saving my sanity! xx

[bsaros84]

Glad I could help!! :)
 

Originally Posted by Freebies4US 

Thank you so much for your ideas.  I intend on wrapping up and getting out as much as I can just to see our locality and see what is going on.  I am also going to get inventive with the furniture - thank you bsaros84. It is amazing how much you really can do if you look for it.  Thank you for saving my sanity! xx