Times are tough and budgets seem to get tighter and tighter. Despite this fact, there are tons of activities that you can do with your toddler for free. There is nothing wrong with occasionally doing special activities that cost money but if you are a stay at home mom you know how quickly some activities can add up. But these activities can save you money and get you and the little ones out of the house for some fun and learning.
Free Fun at the Local Library
The library is a great resource for free toddler activities. There are so many different toddler activities that take place at local libraries throughout the country.
1. Toddler Classes and Movies. Many libraries have great children’s classes and activities available during the day and on weekends. Mom or dad attends with the child for a little fun out of the house. Parents and kids can make new friends here too. Activities vary from library to library from storytelling to crafts. Make sure to check around at neighboring libraries for activities that your child enjoys.
2. Read Books. Spend a couple of hours at the library reading new and exciting books. A lot of libraries have a great children section with comfy seats where and you can spend time reading and bonding with your toddler. If you have Kindle Unlimited, there are hundreds of free children’s books available for download.
3. Rent kids movies. I am not a huge advocate of television watching, but some shows and movies are geared towards toddler education. You do not have to go to a video store to watch movies anymore. The library has a lot of good movies available for loan. Let your toddler pick educational movies and shows and have a movie night at home.
Get Outdoors
Toddlers and kids love the park. There is a ton of free toddler activities that you can do at the park any time of the day, all year round. Plus, it gives your toddler time to burn off some of that energy that every moms and dads would like to bottle for themselves.
4. Go on a Picnic. Pack a picnic lunch, a blanket, and head to the park for a nice picnic lunch under a big tree. Many parks even have pavilions and barbeque grills to use. Gather the whole family and have a barbecue pit and another activity.
5. Feed the Ducks. I remember as a kid, my most favorite part about going to the park was feeding the ducks. My mom would save the heels of the bread, and we would walk around the pond feeding the ducks. We got great exercise plus; we learned to enjoy and respect the wild animals.
6. Ride a Bike. Many parks have bike trails or paths where you can ride your toddler can ride their bike, big wheels, or trikes. The kids love riding alongside mom and dad. Remember to always use the proper helmet for your child to protect for any unforeseen head injuries.
7. Monkey Around. Local and state parks have a ton of playground options. In our neighborhood, we have three playgrounds that cater to kids of different ages. Choose parks that are age appropriate for your child. Your toddler will play for hours if you let them. You can pack a little lunch and spend half the day there.
8. Play ball. Grab an age appropriate ball and a bat to play a little baseball. Find an open field and play ball with your toddler. This is a great activity for little boys and girls alike.
Off the Beaten Path
9. Take a Hike. I am a huge advocate of family day hikes. I have even written about it in the post Day Hiking: Staying Active with Toddlers. I recently have had the opportunity to link up with Hike It Baby, a great parents group devoted to getting their families together and out into nature. Moms and dads alike strap their kids in carriers like the Kelty or an Ergo and go for a hike. They have a wide variety of types of hikes and urban strolls for free. Some hikes are even gentle enough for toddlers to walk alongside mom or dad.
10. Nature Walk. Each walk you take with your toddler, whether in the woods or on the sidewalk, is an opportunity for your children to learn about the natural world. Nature walks are fun, and there is always something new to explore. Walk at various times of the day or night to improve your chances of seeing and finding new and exciting things. Take time to smell the wild flowers, play in the grass, or explore the butterflies.
These are just a few of the free toddler activities that are available in most areas. Research areas around you to find more specific free toddler activities. Keeping your toddler busy and constantly learning is valuable to his social, emotional, and intellectual development.
The snow has finally melted here and we are looking forward to getting outside to do some of these! Especially feeding the ducks, my kids love that one!
Jeanette E. recently posted…Vitavana Ultra Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM Joint Formula Review
I used to do all of those with my boys when they were little. Great ideas.
We can feed the ducks right in the house – we have one who is diapered!
Katherine recently posted…The Best Subs in the World! #ReviewCrew @Restaurant_com
These are some great activities to keep toddlers engaged. I love that they are free as well.
toughcookiemommy recently posted…7 Health Benefits Of Honey
My kids always loved anything having to do with nature, especially my son. He would just look at and take in everything!
Liz Mays recently posted…7 Reasons the HP Stream 7 Tablet Is Worth Buying at Only $99
I loved when my Mom used to take me to the library when I was young (many moons ago)-and I still remember those trips! I am all for literacy and libraries are a great start! Of course just playing in a playground with other children or your Mom is great fun as well.
Michele recently posted…Book Review-The Surgeon’s Blade: A Diana Rivers Mystery Thriller (The Diana Rivers Mysteries Book 3)-Faith Mortimer
Great suggestions. We like nature walks and collect things for our nature box.
Mama to 5 BLessings recently posted…VeggieTales Larry and Bob Plush Toys
We go and feed the ducks at the park a lot. In California you were not allowed to but in Arizona its okay as long as you don’t throw the food in the water.
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