What can i do with the kids over the holidays..i'm on a VERY tight budget!?

Question

they are 8 and 4

Answer 1

Go to your local park pack a picnic and ball!

get some chalk and bubbles play in the back garden

by a cheap paddling pool fill it with water or balls

Go into town buy them an ice cream make a big deal

since you live near the beach u should be able to get the kids face painted

bake cakes at home

buy some water pistols have a water fight

Answer 2

Ok, so I'm in exactly the same predicament.

I've drawn up a list of activities to do over the hols, some free, some cheap and a couple of more extravagant days out.

1.Picnic by a river, take a ball, bat etc and make a day of it

2.Parks, again take a picnic,blanket and spend the afternoon

3.Your garden? get the kids involved in potting plants, painting old wellies, bug collecting etc

4.bike rides

5.Local farms, feed the animals, egg collecting

6.If you live near a river - feed the ducks

7.Watch a good DVD. or 2 or 3!

8.Make cakes, pancakes,crispy cakes

9. Wash the car - my son loves it

10.Zoo's

11.Hire a row boat - depending on the age of your kids?

12. Cinema

13.Bowling

14. Arts and crafts

15.Swimming

16.Listen out for local events - even the most naff sounding ones can turn out to be good days out!

these are just a few ideas,hope this helps!

Answer 3

Sit them down and ask them to contribute ideas for all of you to share over the holidays. They will probably come up with some really good ideas and parents often don't bother to actually ask their children what they want to do. You could go cycling, if you have bicycles, take lots of walks anywhere of local interest. Bring a picnic with you and make it into an adventure. Bring along a notebook and some pencils to note down, or draw, all the birds, flowers, trees and anything else of interest, which you can then look up in books or on the internet when you get home. Take the opportunity to teach them to love wildlife and nature. If you have a safe garden you could suggest ''camping'' out overnight with them. They will love it. Borrow a tent if you don't have one and you could even invite a friend or two along for them to share it with. Organise some play times with friends and some sleepovers. They will probably be invited back too. Bake a cake, of their choice, with them, and eat it together afterwards. Get out some of their older toys, they are often delighted to rediscover old, loved toys. If you have a garden, let them plant some veg or flowers of their choice and show them how to care for them. You can do this in pots if you don't have a garden. Do some swaps on dvds or videos, or books and games,  with their friends. Teach them something new, how to make dolls clothes, knit, cook, tend the flowers, or other more boys' activities, whatever comes to mind.

The list is endless really and it makes me quite nostalgic for my boys' childhood. Go th the library and take out some books on activities. If they don't already belong to the library, then inscribe them and go along with them. If you can afford it,

then plan one really special day out for them. It will give them something to really look forward to, if the holiday seems too long. Giving them your time, enthusiasm and most of all, your precious company, is the best thing you can do for them. Put aside all household chores and just do the strict minimum when you need to. Let your imagination run wild. Children grow up all too fast. Good luck and I know you will enjoy the holidays with your children. Search for information on any free or inexpensive museums locally. If you look in your local free newspapers you would be quite surprised at the number of things there are to do almost every day. I come from a very large family and we always had plenty to do during the holidays, without spending wads of money.

Answer 4

tell them the truth that you haven't enough money for any big plan on holiday, so they have to know how difficult the life is, and how hard to earn money. They should love their mom, dad and share with their parents. Also, the kids should find by themselves their entertainment on holiday, then tell the parents in order that the parents decide whether it's suitable or not.

Answer 5

go to the beach when you can, local park, take a picnic, go on an adventure walk some where if theres some woods/walks nearby, keep your eye out for vouchers of theme parks etc. in the local paper, that could be one luxury for them!.... invite all there friends round for a bbq, get the cheap bbq bags from farm foods for them to eat! and have a paddling pool! youle be set.

Answer 6

tell them the family is converting to islam, this way you will not have to celebrate those holidays, you just dont eat before sunset during ramadan.

Answer 7

take them for a walk to the local park or to acountry area and talk about the wild life around you or let them play in your garden if you havejust use your imagination, what did you do as a child / youngster for further ideas

Answer 8

a 12 pack of strongbow, should keep em busy!

Answer 9

There are so many things you can do.

Taking them to local parks and beaches is a good option.

If not, buy a small paddling pool (not very expensive) and they can have loads of fun in the garden with that.

Invite their friends over to keep them occupied too.

Try searching for free things to do in your area on google, you could get something there.

Answer 10

Swimming,

Park,

Picnics in countryside,

Beach,

Answer 11

Hi. Is there a beach nearby? You could also catch fish in the rocks? Maybe you have a park near you? bike rides? Do you have or could you borrow someones dog to take out? All these are free and I'm sure you could make them fun. Happy holidays :)

Answer 12

You need only spend a little money when it sunny and you can get out. Usually local coach companies run cheap trips to the coast or you may find some offers on the train. If you live in the country you can go walking (that will tire them out), look for insects or wild flowers etc.

It's not so easy when it's raining. Then it's down to stories, videos, coloured pencils and paper, glue and card, paints - all not expensive, but hope you are creative. At least you will sleep well.

Failing all that, get them a job at Primark.

P.S. Beware of answers asking WHERE YOU LIVE - not a relevant question on this forum.

Answer 13

go to Tehidy Woods in Camborne, the children can feed the ducks, have a picnic etc. go to Hayle Maize Maze - cheap entry which has lots of attractions for children in and out of the maze e.g. crazy golf, karts etc... Have a good summer!!

Answer 14

What holidays? I am very good with money and would like to help with your question (student, single, and 2 kids here). Just give more details and I'll come back to answer

Answer 15

Any local parks?

Any cheap swimming baths near you ?

If you have a garden - what about a cheap paddling pool?

Answer 16

Where do you live?

Parks or beach.

Answer 17

How about loads of arts and crafts and stuff like that? Paper mache, painting boiled eggs- inexpensive, fun and it means they won't be sat in front of the TV all day. Cooking as well- cakes, biscuits- you could even just buy digestives and make icing to decorate them with if you're going for the really cheap option. You just need to balence it out so they won't get bored- so don't do all arty stuff one week and cooking the next.

Good Luck!

Answer 18

Pack some juice and snacks and take them to a local park with a ball. Also swimming may not cost as much as you think as my local pool as a buy one day get six free on childrens swimming.

Answer 19

Seaside

Park

Swimming

Picnics

Country walks

Cinema

Zoo

Answer 20

you don't need to spend money :)

take your kids to a local park, or beach if you have one near you? :)