Things are tight for a lot of us right now, and especially w/ the high gas prices, I was trying to think of free things, close to home, that I can do w/ the kids. Luckily my in-laws own a time share here, so we are able to use the pool there for free anytime. It's a really nice resort, so I almost feel like I'm on vacation when I'm there! Also, we are lucky to live so close to the beach-that's just $1 to park, and food for the cooler. There's also the library, and they do have a summer reading club. We've got a few nice parks too. Anyone else have anything to add to the list?

OH! I know! those saturday workshops at Lowes, Home depot and Michaels.

Sometimes, my brain amazes even me, linnybop. Even me.

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

Last year (or was it the year before?) Showcase Cinemas put out a free kids' movie once a week in the am - all the kids needed to do was a one page book review from their website.

Hoping they do it again! That was great. There are always reading incentive programs going on. But this one was a real hit in our house.


Edited to add the link - National Amusements - Programs

If it doesn't work, go to nationalamusements.com, then go to kids and family activities (something like that) then click on "bookworm"

They will be doing a free movie every Wednesday morning for kids who participate in their reading program! Even my 4 year old did it last year. They seemed to accept all levels of "effort"

HTH!

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"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell

At our library, we can reserve free museum passes. I think a lot of libraries do this.

One evening a week the museums are free. Picnic at the park. Some malls have kids' clubs where they have free activities. Playdates at friends' houses. Go on a nature walk...get a book from the library or get info on the internet about birds, animals, flowers, trees native in your area and sort of do an I Spy game with who can spot the most. Storytime in the library...our librarian will read a book and then do a fun activity with the kids. Rent free videos at the library and have movie night. Go camping in your backyard.

We've been spending a couple of weeks getting ready for a yard sale... not only *free* but they'll make some money (which is a great motivator to clean their room in our house!). Do volunteer work -- don't overdo on this one -- even a little bit of volunteering is good for kids.

Dickenson Theaters has free movies over the summer, one new movie a week, plays Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 10:30am and again at 12:30pm. Our library has a free summer reading program. So far we haven't had time to go to these. We live in a small town 25 miles from these movie and library activites, but our school has a summer programs for kids, all FREE, from 9:00am-12, 4 mornings a week and they also serve them lunch for free. They offer stuff like cake decorating, cheer leading, basketball. video production, culinary delights, science/disecting, field trips, bread making, sewing, needlework and a bunch of others. Three years ago one of the teachers put in for a grant to pay for these and our school has gotten it every year since then. It's first come first serve sign ups, so I always get mine in the first day so DD gets the classes she wants. Then we have 4 churches in town, 3 of them have VBS, so all the kids go to all the VBS's in town.

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

Where I live there are tons of free things offered by the town, the county and the state (all different agencies and parks). There would be puppet shows, theatre in the park, music in the bandshell, craft classes, sports camps, line dancing, cheerleading, etc. Each park offered different type of activities. Also the beaches had free dance nights, free concerts, etc.

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When my son was growing up he and his friends detested going for "walks" so insted we went on "challenges". I would award points for hopping on one foot, walking across a line of bricks, walking backwards, hopping over a rock, you get the picture. I got my walk they had some fun. The points would be redeemed for goodies from my treasure box of saved cereal prizes, etc or for staying up late for nap or bedtime or for picking which cartoon would be watched.
This is free and fun and will get them out of the house. You can do it in the yard or on the way to walk to run errands or in the grocery store adjusting the challenges to the environment.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

anna, couldn't we just send you the kid instead?

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

Sure if you want him/her taped to a chair while I sit around and watch tv all day LOL

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

wait. are we NOT supposed to do that? {grumbling and heading over to the chair w/ scissors to let them loose}

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

While there were some really good responses, I think this one is the best! My youngest two are fighting right now and driving me nuts. Speaking of driving, I'm off to Home Depot-how much duct tape per kid do you think I'll need??????????????????

When my youngest two would fight and drive men crazy, I made them hug. They had to continue hugging until I would let them stop. If they kept arguing, they had to hug longer. After 5 minutes, I would calmly mention that I hope they don't have to go to the bathroom very soon. It was very effective, and wouldn't get me arrested for child abuse.

Back on topic, around here it is only the park, library daily programs, and vacation Bible schools.

we went geocaching the other day go to geocaching.com - happily fulfilled my two dd's ages 10 and 11 for the afternoon.

katamasmom