Going to the movies is becoming more and more expensive. In order to take my kids to the movies it would entail buying three tickets, four if Jon comes with us. I don't even want to calculate how much it would cost. And I won't buy snacks at the theater, we would bring in our own (shh!) but even without that extra cost it is expensive. So we don't go to the movies very often. In fact the last movie I saw was with Madeline when she was 3 (she is 5 now) and we went to see the Princess and the Frog for her first movie experience. It was a lot of fun and thankfully we had gift cards so it was also free!
But since then we haven't gone. Even Jon and I don't go alone, I figure we get so little time together the last thing I want to do is sit in a dark room where we cannot talk. So we wait for things to come to DVD and rent them from Redbox for $1. It is great!
But sometimes going to the movies is fun. And this summer we can go for free! And you can too if you live near a participating Rave theater. Rave theaters is back with their free summer movies. You can find more information at Rave Motion Pictures.
The movies are not new and they are shown early in the morning. But if you are simply looking for a cool place to sit with your kids and get that movie theater experience this is for you! the movies range between G and PG so make sure you look at it before taking your little ones. I am planning to take Madeline to see Beezus and Ramona if we are not in Maine that week (of course there may be a movie theater up there, who knows!). I figure if she doesn't like it (and she might not since it isn't a cartoon) we can leave and nothing is lost but the drive out there.
If you go which movie will you see?
Showing posts with label free activities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free activities. Show all posts
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Fun Free Fridays
I love to expose my kids to new places and new activities. But when we are working with a one income budget we can't visit as many places as I would like to. That is a choice we make (not a sacrifice, a choice) which means I try harder to find deals and coupons when I can. And I love anything that is free and fun. Today I learned about Fun Free Fridays this summer in Massachusetts. Apparently this is a normal thing and I do NOT know how I missed it for the past five years, but I found it this year!
I was at the library today (I have mentioned how much I LOVE libraries) and I saw a flyer that was titled Admission is Free. Of course I had to pick it up. At first I figured it was for smaller attractions in the area, but when it says free it is worth at least a few seconds glance. I am glad I picked up the flyer because I was wrong about it. On this paper there is a list of many, many attractions in Massachussets that are free on Fridays during the summer. There are three or four places listed for each Friday and everyone gets in free. If you live near Massachusetts, or will be visiting here at some point this summer, check out the website. There may be something fun to do when you are here.
My favorites (that we hope to try) are the Boston Children's Museum(tons of fun but not cheap), the Basketball Hall of Fame (I live about five miles from it but haven't been since they opened the new one) and Old Sturbridge Village (I love this place but it isn't wallet friendly). These are jsut a few of the places that are on the list, there are many more to choose from. And there are links so you can learn about the different places. While I expect them to be a tad more crowded that normal on these free days, I think it will be worth it.
Go visit Highland Street Foundation's website to learn more about this.
I was at the library today (I have mentioned how much I LOVE libraries) and I saw a flyer that was titled Admission is Free. Of course I had to pick it up. At first I figured it was for smaller attractions in the area, but when it says free it is worth at least a few seconds glance. I am glad I picked up the flyer because I was wrong about it. On this paper there is a list of many, many attractions in Massachussets that are free on Fridays during the summer. There are three or four places listed for each Friday and everyone gets in free. If you live near Massachusetts, or will be visiting here at some point this summer, check out the website. There may be something fun to do when you are here.
My favorites (that we hope to try) are the Boston Children's Museum(tons of fun but not cheap), the Basketball Hall of Fame (I live about five miles from it but haven't been since they opened the new one) and Old Sturbridge Village (I love this place but it isn't wallet friendly). These are jsut a few of the places that are on the list, there are many more to choose from. And there are links so you can learn about the different places. While I expect them to be a tad more crowded that normal on these free days, I think it will be worth it.
Go visit Highland Street Foundation's website to learn more about this.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Free Pancake Day
Do you live near an IHOP? Do you like pancakes?
IHOP is having it's annual free pancake day on March 1. You get free pancakes and they ask for a donation to the March of Dimes in return. Last year I took Madeline and Owen there for lunch. This year we will go for dinner since Madeline is in school that day.
For more information visit IHOP Free Pancake Day
IHOP is having it's annual free pancake day on March 1. You get free pancakes and they ask for a donation to the March of Dimes in return. Last year I took Madeline and Owen there for lunch. This year we will go for dinner since Madeline is in school that day.
For more information visit IHOP Free Pancake Day
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Snow Days- Friendly Wednesday
If you are visiting from Feeding Four's Friendly Wendesday, welcome!
It is snowing.
Again.
As it is winter in Massachusetts this should not be surprising. What is surprising is the amount of snow we are getting with each storm. In the last three weeks we have accumulated well over four feet of snow. Yesterday we got 7 inches. Last night we got another 4 inches mostly of icy stuff.
All this means that schools are closed and Jon is home from work.
Again.
I am not unhappy that he is home, but seven snow days in three weeks is a lot. June will be a long, hot month of teaching for him this year.
I have been spending time on facebook reading the post of my non stay at home mom friends. I am laughing (kindly) to myself as they ask what to do with their kids. I laugh because entertaining my kids is my life. I like to get out of the house as much as the next person, but they honestly are starting to go nuts trying to keep their kids entertained after just two days. After reading these posts and trying to help I thought to myself, what do we do all day? And this is the list I came up with (for winter, summer weather would change a few things!)
*color
*finger paint
*play with our rice box- I filled a large Rubbermaid container with 12 pounds of rice a few years ago. I store it in the playroom covered when I don't want to clean up after the kids, but it is a GREAT way to keep the occupied.
*play dough
*painting
*baking
*having an indoor picnic with play food- this is something my kids like to do and invite me to
*race cars
*indoor bowling- empty plastic bottles (soda bottles work best) and a soft ball are all that is needed
*reading
*reading
*and more reading- nothing is better on a cold day then to cuddle up with a warm blanket, cuddly kids and some good books
*set up the train tracks and make up adventures for the trains and other characters
*puzzles
*indoor obstacle course
*putting on the snow gear and heading outside
*barbies
*my little ponies
*block towers
*Lego constructions
*bead necklaces
*hide and go seek
*blanket forts
*paper bag puppets
*messy artistic creations using whatever you have lying around!
*turn on the music and have a dance party
If all else fails tell your kids it is time for them to play by themselves. This is not bad, kids need to learn how to entertain themselves and you might be surprised at what they come up with alone. Madeline and Owen can play nicely for a solid thirty minutes in their own little make believe world and I love to watch!
You'll notice none of these things involves expensive items or a lot of planning. I do keep a good store of arts and craft materials around, but other than that I am simply using the toys that my kids have. Sometimes it is simply a matter of me suggesting something to my kids, or taking the toys out of the toybox or closet, to get them started.
What do you do on a cold winter day?
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Money Saving Tuesday- fun times on a shoestring
There are so many things to do with kids these days. Gymnastics, swim lessons, mommy and me yoga, gym classes, dancing, museums, toddler time at roller skating rinks, music for little ones, etc. And all of these things cost money. As much as I would love to try some of them we just don't have the extra money that enables us to do this. But I also don't want to just stay at home all the time either.
So what do you do if you are like me and on a budget?
You find things that are free, cheap or ways to reduce prices on things that cost money.
For instance we have a local children's museum that runs weekly playgroups. I love my kids to participate but I do not have the $7 each week to take them plus a $30 a year membership fee. That is $28 a month and it adds up. To some $28 really isn't much. But to me it is a lot. Plus that is just one activity. I still want to go so what do I do? The museum needs volunteers. so I design and put up the bulletin boards each month. In return I get to take my kids each week for free, all I pay is the $30 a year. My kids have a great time, I like to do the bulletin boards and I save money. It is a win-win-win.
Another local museum has great things for kids but with an entrance fee of $6 per person per visit we wouldn't be able to go even monthly. I looked into it and they have memberships. A yearly membership is $75 for a family of four. Not exactly cheap but when the alternative is $24 each time our family goes it comes out to be a great deal. Even better? My brother wanted to get us a family gift for Christmas. Perfect for his budget and perfect for my family. Now we get to go to the museum whenever we want, and we go often!
The local zoo that we love is small but really nice. It is $6 for an adult and $4 for a kid each time you go in. Or you can pay $65 for a year's membership for a family of five and go as many times as you like. The zoo that the park is located in costs $2 to park each time, or if you live in the city you can buy a permit for the year for $10. So for $75 we have tons of things to do- the zoo and everything else in the park. They have a sprinkler park, duck ponds, several trails in the woods, two playgrounds, fields to run around in and a pool as well. It is right down the street and we go there often.
Then there are free things to do. Most parks with playgrounds are free. Just the cost of gas to get there and we have a change from our backyard and maybe even some new friends to play with. Feeding the ducks is a great way to get rid of stale bread and have (free) fun for a little while. We can take a walk down the street and go on a nature hike through the woods. Or we can go to the library and there are tons of things to do there for free. Storytime is a favorite. And they often have crafts for the kids or special events around different holidays. Owen is hooked on making puzzles everytime we go lately. And Madeline is in love with borrowing puppets (I love this too since it is great way to have a "new" stuffed animal for a short period of time!) Not to mention all the books and dvds you can borrow for free each week.
It isn't always easy to find things to do with kids that are free and are not in your own house. I do love arts and crafts and playing in our backyard. But we all need to get out of the house and see other people sometimes. You just need to look around, use coupons and be a little creative and there are plenty of things to do!
So what do you do if you are like me and on a budget?
You find things that are free, cheap or ways to reduce prices on things that cost money.
For instance we have a local children's museum that runs weekly playgroups. I love my kids to participate but I do not have the $7 each week to take them plus a $30 a year membership fee. That is $28 a month and it adds up. To some $28 really isn't much. But to me it is a lot. Plus that is just one activity. I still want to go so what do I do? The museum needs volunteers. so I design and put up the bulletin boards each month. In return I get to take my kids each week for free, all I pay is the $30 a year. My kids have a great time, I like to do the bulletin boards and I save money. It is a win-win-win.
Another local museum has great things for kids but with an entrance fee of $6 per person per visit we wouldn't be able to go even monthly. I looked into it and they have memberships. A yearly membership is $75 for a family of four. Not exactly cheap but when the alternative is $24 each time our family goes it comes out to be a great deal. Even better? My brother wanted to get us a family gift for Christmas. Perfect for his budget and perfect for my family. Now we get to go to the museum whenever we want, and we go often!
The local zoo that we love is small but really nice. It is $6 for an adult and $4 for a kid each time you go in. Or you can pay $65 for a year's membership for a family of five and go as many times as you like. The zoo that the park is located in costs $2 to park each time, or if you live in the city you can buy a permit for the year for $10. So for $75 we have tons of things to do- the zoo and everything else in the park. They have a sprinkler park, duck ponds, several trails in the woods, two playgrounds, fields to run around in and a pool as well. It is right down the street and we go there often.
Then there are free things to do. Most parks with playgrounds are free. Just the cost of gas to get there and we have a change from our backyard and maybe even some new friends to play with. Feeding the ducks is a great way to get rid of stale bread and have (free) fun for a little while. We can take a walk down the street and go on a nature hike through the woods. Or we can go to the library and there are tons of things to do there for free. Storytime is a favorite. And they often have crafts for the kids or special events around different holidays. Owen is hooked on making puzzles everytime we go lately. And Madeline is in love with borrowing puppets (I love this too since it is great way to have a "new" stuffed animal for a short period of time!) Not to mention all the books and dvds you can borrow for free each week.
It isn't always easy to find things to do with kids that are free and are not in your own house. I do love arts and crafts and playing in our backyard. But we all need to get out of the house and see other people sometimes. You just need to look around, use coupons and be a little creative and there are plenty of things to do!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
You can't always plan
Husband and I are pretty decent with our budgeting. Yes there is money that could be spent in better ways, but the bills are always payed and we (almost) always manage to get money into the saving account.
And then people get sick.
In the past two weeks we have payed for dental visits (planned for), two sick child visits, medicine for a sick child, ER visit for husband (he's okay), medicine for husband, oral surgeon visit for husband and antibiotics for husband.
I don't want to total it up. But I have.
It's not pretty.
It will take a little dipping into savings to cover this past two weeks. Thank goodness for savings.
To add to it we added some extra driving last weekend to meet my mother in law at a flower show halfway between our house and hers. And this weekend we will be driving out to husbands home town for the weekend.
This month will not be high in the savings category.
The plus side is that husband has decided that he is going on a money saving spree in the form of our electric bill. He plans to unplug anything unecessary and turn off lights (ha!) when not in use. The plan is to see how much we can drop our electric bill this month which has been unfortunatly climbing higher.
Today I am taking the rugrats to the library after nap for some free playtime and maybe some new movies to watch over the next week. Anytime we take a long car ride we plan with a newer vidoe for big rugrat. And our librarby has a great pay area, In addition to books they have a puppet theater and puppets, a castle, puzzles, stuffed animals galore, and coloring pages. And all this is available when we are NOT in storytime. I LOVE the library because I love to read and I love that my kids like to listen to books and go to the library as well. I guess I am doing something right.
And don't worry, I didn't forget about freezer cooking. With the new job life has been a little more hectic. When husband works, he leaves the houes works, comes home. When I work, I get up get the kdis ready, get myself ready, get the food packed, get the kids to a friends house, get to work, work, pick the kids up, come home. Notice a difference? Am I the only one in this situation?
I will be making chicken parm later this week and am planning to make a double batch and freeze half of it. I'll let you know how it goes.
And then people get sick.
In the past two weeks we have payed for dental visits (planned for), two sick child visits, medicine for a sick child, ER visit for husband (he's okay), medicine for husband, oral surgeon visit for husband and antibiotics for husband.
I don't want to total it up. But I have.
It's not pretty.
It will take a little dipping into savings to cover this past two weeks. Thank goodness for savings.
To add to it we added some extra driving last weekend to meet my mother in law at a flower show halfway between our house and hers. And this weekend we will be driving out to husbands home town for the weekend.
This month will not be high in the savings category.
The plus side is that husband has decided that he is going on a money saving spree in the form of our electric bill. He plans to unplug anything unecessary and turn off lights (ha!) when not in use. The plan is to see how much we can drop our electric bill this month which has been unfortunatly climbing higher.
Today I am taking the rugrats to the library after nap for some free playtime and maybe some new movies to watch over the next week. Anytime we take a long car ride we plan with a newer vidoe for big rugrat. And our librarby has a great pay area, In addition to books they have a puppet theater and puppets, a castle, puzzles, stuffed animals galore, and coloring pages. And all this is available when we are NOT in storytime. I LOVE the library because I love to read and I love that my kids like to listen to books and go to the library as well. I guess I am doing something right.
And don't worry, I didn't forget about freezer cooking. With the new job life has been a little more hectic. When husband works, he leaves the houes works, comes home. When I work, I get up get the kdis ready, get myself ready, get the food packed, get the kids to a friends house, get to work, work, pick the kids up, come home. Notice a difference? Am I the only one in this situation?
I will be making chicken parm later this week and am planning to make a double batch and freeze half of it. I'll let you know how it goes.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Things to do on the cheap
This past weekend we took the kids out three days in a row and only spent money on gas. Friday and Sunday we took both rugrats to the local childrens museum that we recieved a membership to for Christmas. Talk about an awesome gift. I never thought about family memberships to things before, but in the past year I have discovered that I love them. A trip to this museum for a family of four would cost $24 normally. That is high end for an afternoon of fun on our budget, at least for more than once in a while. A family membership runs about $60. Now, if you go more than three times in a year it has more than payed for itself. PLUS if we go for an hour and leave, no big deal.
During the spring we will also get a pass to our local zoo. For $50 we can go unlimited amounts of time, and the zoo is inside an awesome park. Add a $10 parking pass that is good for the year and you have something to do several times a week. We go to Forest Park to visit the zoo, play in the sprinklers, play on the playground, feed the ducks and sometimes just to walk. Last year we were there minimum once a week. It is a seven minute drive from the house, and one of my favorite places.
The other thing we did this weekend was go to the Springfield Science Museum. Since we live in the city our entrance was free. Again, about 1 1/2 hours entertainment for big rugrat for the cost of a 20 minute round trip in the car. And we had a great time.
Another great way to visit area musuems for free and reduced prices in the ask at the library. We live on a budget, but we still like to get out of the house and expose the rugrats to museums and zoos and parks. But we can't pay for everything. Family memberships are great, and we budget for a couple a year, and they are great gifts as well. But the library is FREE. My favorite price, FREE. We have a local butterfly museum that at last check was $10 a person. To me that is a lot, especially when big rugrat could have a meltdown which forces us to leave. However, a local library has passes for two adults to get in free. Now I have to wait for the passes to be returned, but hey, beggars can't be choosers right?
During the spring we will also get a pass to our local zoo. For $50 we can go unlimited amounts of time, and the zoo is inside an awesome park. Add a $10 parking pass that is good for the year and you have something to do several times a week. We go to Forest Park to visit the zoo, play in the sprinklers, play on the playground, feed the ducks and sometimes just to walk. Last year we were there minimum once a week. It is a seven minute drive from the house, and one of my favorite places.
The other thing we did this weekend was go to the Springfield Science Museum. Since we live in the city our entrance was free. Again, about 1 1/2 hours entertainment for big rugrat for the cost of a 20 minute round trip in the car. And we had a great time.
Another great way to visit area musuems for free and reduced prices in the ask at the library. We live on a budget, but we still like to get out of the house and expose the rugrats to museums and zoos and parks. But we can't pay for everything. Family memberships are great, and we budget for a couple a year, and they are great gifts as well. But the library is FREE. My favorite price, FREE. We have a local butterfly museum that at last check was $10 a person. To me that is a lot, especially when big rugrat could have a meltdown which forces us to leave. However, a local library has passes for two adults to get in free. Now I have to wait for the passes to be returned, but hey, beggars can't be choosers right?
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