Most of us know what it's like to live on a budget. Living on a budget doesn't have to detract from spending quality time with your small children, though. There are many free or inexpensive activities available in most areas.
Become familiar with local parks. Not only do the playground activities make them great places to hang out for a little while, but many parks offer other features. There are several in my area that have water park features, which can be anything from an automated sprinkler designed for children to a designated area with water canons, sprinklers, dumping buckets and other items of wet summertime fun all for free. Some parks offer Frisbee golf areas have you seen mysterious poles sticking up at your local park, with odd chain mesh baskets on top? That's a Frisbee golf course.
Other parks offer swimming pools and even water slides for a small fee.
A trip to a nondescript park or even your own back yard can be spiced up with an impromptu picnic. Small children usually aren't too picky when offered an opportunity to picnic.
Some parks offer hiking trails. If your child doesn't want to go on another boring nature hike, you can turn it into a scavenger hunt. Write out a list of items you are likely to see on any hike. Make enough copies for everyone and see who finds the most or finishes first. This activity turns a potentially boring walk into a fun family competition. Another way to spice up a hike is to turn it into a photo safari. You can use a cheap digital camera or a cheap disposable camera. Let everyone have a turn taking pictures, then compare them afterward. Put them in an album together or have a slide show.
Look for free museums. There is a museum in my area that only charges if you want to see the special exhibit; otherwise, entrance is free. They have a small children's area with musical instruments, jigsaw puzzles, and the real gem: a mini-archaeological dig area where the children strap on goggles and dig through rubber chips to discover finds on the floor of the containment area.
Many parks, museums, and community centers offer free or cheap activities and classes in the evenings and during the summer.
State parks and ponds at local parks are another winner. Many state parks and even city parks offer free fishing of stocked ponds to youngsters, with no fishing license required. The limit on who may fish and the fact that such ponds are usually stocked means a lot of catches for your budding fishermen.
Many state parks have nature centers. These nature centers are usually filled with interesting items and frequently with a variety of live animals, making them like a mini-zoo. State parks may also have programs for children which offer activities to help them earn ranger badges.
Investigate your local eating establishments. A burger joint with an indoor play area is a joy to behold in miserable winter weather. Order yourself and your children a drink, take a book, an mp3 player, or a friend, and let them burn off energy while you take some precious me time.
Libraries are another great resource. They usually have many children's programs and events, especially in the summer. They may have story hour, guest speakers, magic shows, or reading programs offering prizes and parties for books read with parents. They frequently have a children's area where children and parents and put on puppet shows, play board games or work puzzles together. Some libraries host outreach programs that offer children lunch and a free book.
Many movie theaters run special summertime programs. For a small cost, you can take your children to see children's movies, which usually change weekly all summer long. Cinemark is one of these theaters: http://www.cinemark.com/summermovieclubhouse/.
Do you enjoy going to garage sales or flea markets? Take your child with you. They can help you look for signs and for interesting items. Letting them get something will increase their enthusiasm and will provide an opportunity to start teaching them some money basics.
Plant a garden with your child. Indoors or out, it's a great learning experience. From a flowerbed to a windowsill herb garden, digging in the dirt and watching a seed or bulb grow is a novel experience.
Instead of a lengthy activity, you can do a series of short activities. Go to a used book store and spend a few dollars on an old first or second grade science book. They are filled with interesting experiments that you can do with your child. The Internet and the family magazines at the library are filled with craft activities.
A little time spent making telephone calls or searching the Internet should give you more information about the specific activities and facilities available in your area. Speaking with other parents who live nearby can also be a wonderful resource. Call your library, your state parks, your local parks, and your local theatres and find out what you're missing. A little legwork can open up a whole vista of free or inexpensive fun for your children.