After being a stay-at-home Mom with little ones for 8 years I’ve had to be resourceful and find things do to outside the home that didn’t cost much money and something that was indoors. Staying at home with your kids through the winter can drive you a little batty if you don’t have activities to do away from home on occasion.
The first thing I did was found out when story time was at our local library. This was the boys opportunity to meet their first friends, and for me to meet Moms in the area with the same age kids. After attending many sessions I started talking to other Moms and we created a playgroup that met once or twice a week. During the playgroup gatherings we:
- Went to each others houses.
Jake & friends @ McD's Playplace
- Visited the Aquarium.
- Play at childrens’ museums.
- Got a pool pass at a participating hotel ($25/month)
- Met up at a McDonald’s with a nice clean play area.
- Had fun at Chuck E. Cheese.
- Saw an afternoon movie.
- Go bowling!
- Indoor inflatable play places.
- Touring age appropriate shows (ex. Balloon Town).
- Go to a pottery place and make a keepsake or gift.
- Yep even went to a Mall and walked around.
- Depending on the time of the year there are hay mazes in the fall, etc.
Yes some of these things cost money, but if you do a little planning then they will cost little or no money but the gas to get there. Planning consist of either finding coupons for attractions around you or better yet asking for gift cards or yearly passes as gifts for birthdays or Christmas. Relatives are always asking for ideas on what to get my kids for special occasions such as those, and I’m trying to cut down on the toys in the house so gift cards & passes kill two birds with one stone. Less toys in my house and free outings when I take the kids places just like I wrote about in my post: No More Toys, PLEASE.
In order to beat cabin fever you don’t need a playgroup to do it. You can do all those things above with just you and your child(ren), or you can think outside the box and occasionally invite a retired relative, or an old friend or coworker you haven’t seen in a while that may or may not have kids. If meeting somewhere isn’t your thing stop by where they live or work to brighten their day.
Winter time can also be the time to get them into swimming lessons at your local YMCA or any other lessons you’d like them to take. Just don’t let the winter months get you down. There’s plenty to do to make it as fun as the summer. Trust me!
What do you do to get through the winter with your little ones? I’d love to hear your ideas!!
We make lots of trips to the library, visiting grandma on days we’re already in that direction, and prepared to don our raincoats and boots to be out in the rain when being inside is just too much! There’s also a local inside playground we’ve gone to in the past. In a large gym they set up a bunch of toy, balls, bikes, kitchen areas, etc. It’s great!
I’m grabbing your button. I really enjoy reading about your country experiences since we’re there too!