Get Out Of the House Without Breaking the Bank: 10 Free Or Cheap Activities For Little Ones

As you all know, I love to get out of the house. I have to do it at least once a day or my crew (my two screaming toddlers) and I get a little grouchy. If I were rich, this would be easier because I would just go shopping or to Disneyland half the time. But I am not. So I get creative. There are actually hundreds of things to do with your little ones outside of the home, but for some reason, it can be hard to think of them sometimes. So I've compiled a list for you so you don't have to do the thinking. Just the doing. And for me, figuring out what we're going to do is half the battle of getting out of the house.

 1. Kids Summer Movies and Dollar Theaters

• Many theaters offer cheap movies for kids during the summer. For example, these Kids Summer Movies at the Larry H. Miller Mexaplex in Vineyard, UT. They are usually older movies and the showtimes are during the day, but the kids will love getting out of the house and going to the big theater to see a movie.
• Usually I would say keep the babies at home if you're going to a movie, but these are perfect for bringing little ones. Most people will understand if a child starts screaming and needs to be taken out. It won't be the end of the world.
• Dollar theaters (or just cheaper theaters) will offer slightly older movies at a much cheaper price. For example, Movies 8 in Provo, UT (which has $1 Tuesdays) and Water Gardens Theaters in Pleasant Grove, UT and Spanish Fork, UT (where popcorn and drinks start at $1!).

2. Farmer's Markets

• Technically, these are free. But I always end up buying some fruit or frozen custard or something when I go. When we lived in Livermore, CA, my sister-in-law and I brought our kids to the farmer's market almost every Saturday! There are all kinds of vendors and many of them will offer you free samples, which the kids love too. 
• I also went to the farmer's market in Salem, OR almost every Saturday and we would usually get a strawberry lemonade or a frozen custard to cool us down. I have such wonderful memories of farmer's markets with my little guys. They are so stroller-friendly and fun!
• Most cities have a farmer's market during the summer, or at least one nearby, so look it up! They are one of my favorite places to go with my kiddos and there is often live music to listen and dance to as well.

3. Museums!

• This is my favorite. I love museums. Not because I'm terribly cultured, but because many of them are FREE, little kids love them, and they are relatively calm places for babies if they need a nap.
• In Utah, we frequent The Bean Museum at BYU. It is fantastic! They recently revamped the whole place and it is just amazing now. If you don't know, it's mostly taxidermy. But it's cooler than you might think. And still totally free!
• In Los Angeles, CA, there's The Getty Museum, which is fancier, but still totally free. You would have to pay $15 for parking, though, so prepare for that or take public transportation.
• Seriously, though, there are so many more. Just Google museums in your area and go to their websites to see if they're free.

4. Go to a Bookstore

• When I was about to pop with my second, my son Lincoln and I would frequent Barnes & Noble. We weren't shopping for books, but he would play with the trains and look at children's books and sometimes I would grab a drink at the Starbucks while we wandered. This would last a good hour. 
• If you can resist the temptation to shop, bookstores are great for wandering and they usually have a pretty fun kid's section, which may or may not also do story time. Just ask!

5. Campfire or Picnic in the Park

• There are a lot of parks that will allow fires and you don't have to pay to use the fire pits! Find some wood on the side of the road (or buy a bundle), unwind some wire hangers, grab some mallows and grahams, and head outside for some s'mores on a summer night! Such a quick and easy way to make great memories!
• Or make some food to go and get your picnic on! Little ones just like being outside, so spend your mealtime where they can run and be free.

6. Krispy Kreme!

• My kids love watching them make donuts at Krispy Kreme, so go inside! They'll even give you a free warm donut if they just made them. Or, you can buy one or two donuts because donuts are cheap, but just visiting Krispy Kreme can be an event for little people. It's one of my favorite places to spend a little down time with my babies.

7. Go To the Library/Story Time

• This may be an obvious one, but libraries are great! And totally free!
• Story time is so great. Look up your local library's story time and go! Most libraries do story time, so just check the website or give them a call for the time.
• Just go and hang out in the children's section. This is a nice, climate-controlled building where your little ones can explore books! The libraries in Salem, OR and Orem, UT where we've lived have had fantastic children's sections with puppets to play with and rocking horses to ride. Seriously, check out your local library if you haven't already. It may be your kids' favorite place to go.

8. Dollar Cones at McDonald's (or any other fast food with an indoor playground)

• If you hate indoor playgrounds, like many do, skip this one. But sometimes, it's just nice to get out of the house and let the kids get their wiggles out indoors. 
• You can also get a treat for yourselves and the kids for relatively cheap.
• Many restaurants also have dress-up days when you can get your kids dressed up as something and get something for FREE! Another win win! The kids get to get dressed up and you get something for free.

9. Splash Pads and Sprinklers

• Ask around. Sometimes splash pads are hard to find. But they are awesome for little ones because they are not as intimidating or dangerous as pools and they are usually free. 
• The one in Springville, UT is amazing! But check in your city. They are all over the place and they are fantastic. 

10. Take a Walk On a Trail Or Explore a New Park

• If you're tired of your regular park, go to a new city. The point is, get outside and maybe instead of hanging out at the playground, which can be exhausting with babies, take a walk. Kids love exploring. They will literally stop and smell the flowers and it will be relaxing for you, but exciting for them. Win win!

BONUS: BUBBLES, BUBBLES, BUBBLES

• Little kids love bubbles! There is just something so magical about them. Go outside ANYWHERE and blow bubbles. You're kids will have the time of their lives. Throw in some water guns and your kids will love you forever (if you don't mind getting a little wet). 
• Invest in some bubble guns if you really want to be hands off. You might even get some reading or Facebooking done if your kids are old enough to figure out the bubble guns on their own.

There are so many more ideas so this won't be my last post like this. Stay tuned and get out and play!!