Search Results for: blog fun fall activities for families with children

5 Quick Activities for Self Care

Many parents are looking forward to the start of a new school year. Keep in mind that back-to-school comes with hectic mornings, help with homework, and the enforcement of a bedtime routine (that may have lapsed over the summer). It is important for parents to take a little time for self care while the kids are at school. Here are a few simple ideas to start with. The Living Self-Care website says that moms and dads that take care of themselves first will have more to offer to their children (and to the rest of the world). Self-care doesn’t have … Continue reading →

4 Ways to Deal with the High Cost of Kids Sports and Activities

Today, it is not surprising to hear that parents are spending anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 a year per child on sports, dance or other activities. In some cases, that amount can be even higher, when there are several children in the family and each are taking several activities at a time. According to financial guru Dave Ramsey, “some parents can spend up to $10,000 a year funding their child’s athletic pursuits.” Why is the cost so high these days? First of all there is equipment that parents much purchase, everything from figure skates or hockey skates, to baseball equipment … Continue reading →

5 Free Family Activities You Can Do Today

Forget buying the latest video game or springing for a couple of hours at one of those indoor kids activity places. Instead, try one of the following free family activities that you can do today. Zero cost but lots of fun. 1. Go for a Hike…Literally Being outdoors in nature instantly calms you and raises your spirits. Studies have proven it over and over again. Plus kids really do thrive on fresh air and exercise. A hike, or even just a walk in the park, can be an activity that the whole family can enjoy. Plus, it is free. Bonus … Continue reading →

Fun Ways to Work Up Your Appetite

Thanksgiving is less than a week away. For some home cooks, Turkey Day meal preps are already underway. Given how much blood, sweat and tears are shed in order to create a sumptuous holiday spread for the entire clan, it would be nice to see it completely consumed. If you are worried that your hard work in the kitchen will go unappreciated and that you’ll be stuck with enough Turkey Day leftovers to feed an army, consider getting the clan to partake in the following activities that are sure to work up their Thanksgiving appetite: Pumpkin Sweep: Give each person … Continue reading →

Free Fall Crafts, Events, and Breakfasts

October brings plenty of Fall Festivals and Halloween celebrations. Many of them are things your family can attend for free, or for a low cost. Here are a few upcoming fun and frugal Fall activities that will be going on between now and October 14, 2012, (and a few that are going on all month long). Stuckmeyer’s Farm located in Fenton, Missouri, is having Farm Fun Days every weekend in October. It happens every Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the evening. Admission is free. There will be hayrides, pony rides, an inflatable slide, live … Continue reading →

Fall Travel for Frugalistas

The key to saving money while you enjoy a fabulous fall getaway is to visit places that allow you to get the most bang for your buck. For example, if you are planning to take a road trip to pick pumpkins or apples this autumn consider visiting a larger all-inclusive establishment. Some orchards and farms offer you the chance to not only pick your own produce, but also provide hayrides, food samples and access to petting zoos (complete with pigs, chicks, rabbits, sheep, cows, and more) minus the extra charge. Mackey’s Orchard in Belvidere, New Jersey, offers customers a 20-minute … Continue reading →

Seasonal Family Fun for Less

Now that school is back in session, the weekends are precious for families who love spending time together. However, enjoying special bonding time shouldn’t put you in the poorhouse. To get the most bang for your buck, look for community events that are fun, kid-friendly, and cheap. Here are a few affordable ideas: Missouri: This weekend in St. Louis you and your children can take in the spectacular sights associated with the 40th Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Balloon Race. On Friday, September 14th, take a stroll along Balloon Lane where you can get up close to dozens of … Continue reading →

Fun With Genealogy Words

It has been a while since I have learned any new genealogy terms. I love words, and genealogy is a source of a great many unfamiliar words. This is partly because some of the words that you can come across in genealogy research are words that have fallen out of common usage. Think about it. When was the last time that you heard anyone talk about someone being exheres? It still happens, though, people are disinherited every day. Did you know that back in the day, wives and housewives were not simply referred to as “wife”. They were honored with … Continue reading →

Those Funny Groundhogs: A Literary History

Groundhog Day falls on February 2nd. It’s the mid point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. If the groundhog sees his shadow, according to folk tales there will be six more weeks of winter. If it is cloudy and there is no shadow, spring is coming! The day originates from the German tradition of looking to a badger or a hedgehog’s shadow for a weather report in early February. A groundhog is a rodent who live in a burrow under the ground. Groundhogs hibernate during the winter and emerge from the burrow in the spring. Whether these books … Continue reading →

Making Fall Memories

As a single mom I’m always trying to find fun things to do with my daughter on a very limited budget. Fall is the perfect time to get outside. Nature walks are fun and educational. Let your little ones collect leaves and pine cones and other things they find. When you get home you can research the leaves on the internet and find out what kind of leaves they are and find some fun facts about that type of tree. Once you are finished learning all you can about your find let the kids make a collage with the treasures … Continue reading →