The summertime itch for going out and enjoying the weather with activities can be hard on the average Canadian family budget. My family is always on the hunt for things to do for free. During the summer we always do one fancy outing so the kids have something to go back to school and tell their friends about and is usually consisting of a day trip. This year: The Toronto Zoo.
Where we live, every Wednesday, at a small local park is music night. There is an open stage and any local talent (or any musical talent that wants to) are welcome to take the stage and perform. This is free for all and if you pack a picnic dinner you can have quite the adventure.
Every year we have taken to enrolling our 2 girls in the summer reading program at the local library. They write down each book they read and once a week we go back to the library and they get tickets for each book they have read; for our youngest we read to her and this still counts. The kids then enter those tickets for a chance to win prizes. It’s an excellent incentive to keep the kids reading through the summer and a fun excursion they look forward to weekly. As a bonus they have fun when they get to pick out their own books and play on the kids computer station. Best of all its FREE.
We are also fortunate enough to live close to a really nice Ontario Early Years Centre The OEYC offers exceptional programming, toys, craft centres, and some have an outdoor playground attached. Once again: FREE. Find a location near you by clicking here.
In some communities there is also the free local splash pad or a short drive to the beach. In Ontario there is also free public swims from Tim Hortons and you can click here to find one near you. Free or cheap summer festivals are always popular; the prices for carnival rides can be outrageous though. Of course a trip to the park, hiking, geo-caching or a picnic can be super cheap and fun as well.
It doesn’t take a lot to please my children. Whether I spend on a one day trip to a amusement park or if I simply pack a picnic and take them a few blocks over to the park, they are just as happy to get out either way. I guess I’m taking them to the zoo this summer for my own reasons so they can say they went because in the end fun can be free.
I gave a few ideas above but do you have any great tips for cheap summer activities?
These are awesome ideas! I can definitely use some of these when my grandchildren visit — it’s been a long time since I’ve had to entertain little ones, and this is a really big help.
THANK YOU for sharing them.
There is free admission for Ontario Place all Summer long. Although that doesn’t include entrance into the waterpark which is ~$11/pp.
Did someone already blog about this?
Nobody blogged about this! I remember a zoo vs African lions safari blog but not a free summer fun. Love your blogs keep it up!!!! Always so helpful!
Great ideas for the little ones. I’ll keep in mind for my neice and nephew. Thanks.
Ontario Early Years Centre!!! Their the best for children 0-6yrs all programs are FREE!:)
All great ideas and I use them all myself! This years outing for us..a friday night in Niagara Falls…so many free things to do and see that it balances out the cost of a night in a hotel…My daughter is so excited to see the lights and fireworks!
We go to the Early Years programs EVERY WEEK. If these programs didn’t exist, I would lose my mind at home with 2 small ones. On rainy days or afternoons, here’s another great freebie: IKEA. I’m not talking about the area where you can drop your kid off with the balls…take your kids to the children’s display area and they will have a blast playing in the display rooms! My daughter loves the little slide, or sitting at the tables or lying in the different beds…it’s a great time out that’s free! And IKEA is so family friendly, that feeding, nursing or changing them is an easy task.
Also, we live in South Etobicoke so it’s a short walk to the beach…always free and fun!
Also at the library you should ask about drop-ins. They’re usually once a week and they are great fun to kids, at absolutely no cost!
Free summer MOVIES outside at Harbourfront:
http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/freeflicks/index.cfm
Pretty cool….every Tuesday night. Watch movies OUTSIDE on the water, under zeeeeeee stars…….:)
Also enter to win a FREE LONGOS $500 Gift Certificate:
http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/freeflicks/index.cfm
ONE ENTRY PER PERSON. The contest opens July 5, 2011. All entries must be received by August 1, 2011. The random draw takes place on August 10, 2011. No purchase necessary. Limit one entry per person, multiple entries from any one person will void all such entries.
If Mayor of Toronto Rob Ford has his way, none of this would be available to anyone. Shame.
our library has a great summer program with children’s entertainers every week as well as special events and more. the kids can sign up and get a free tote bag with goodies inside. We take a daycare group there every week and they always have fun! They get a treat and everyone that goes has a chance to win weekly prizes as well! Free is so much fun!