Entertaining the kiddos

This is something that I find myself spending ALL of my extra money on...entertaining my daughter! And I WANT to do it! But the reality is that I can't afford all of these memberships to every place in the world! So you have to learn to pick and choose. Depending on where you live, I think its a good idea to have ONE membership. The zoo, museum, play house, fun house...whichever. But one is definitly a good thing!! That way on those rainy days when going outside is not an option, you have something that is there to do that is already paid for.

BEWARE OF THE GIFT SHOPS THOUGH :)

I try to think of fun things for Ava and I to do that won't break my already broken bank. :) I have really spend some time here lately planning fun things for her that won't cost an arm and a leg, or better yet things that are free. Here are a few that I have found:

#1--playing outside! Let their imagination run wild!!! Play cops and robbers, play cowboys and indians, play hide and go seek. whatever!

#2- the library! I have talked about the library before...its SUCH a great place. Ours in particular rocks. Not only can kids get books and movies, but they have story time, they have halloween festivities, Christmas parties...all of which are FREE! And while you are there...there is a ton of adult stuff too. Pick up a book on how to budget, or how to make curtains or whatever your interests are. Rent movies. Better yet...pick up those collections on learning another language. The ones they sell in the airports for $500 bucks? Yep-you can rent those as well. That could be a WHOLE afternoon of fun!

#3- Crafts! Get out the markers, crayons, scissors and papers. Kids love that stuff! The other day Ava wanted to paint and I was out.. so I let her use my old nail polish. She thought that was the coolest thing ever! She had a blast, was proud of herself for making me a pretty picture, and I could talk to her while she painted with nail polish while I got to wash the dishes. TADA--that went well all around!

#4--Ava likes to work out! She thinks my dvds are fun so I put in a workout dvd and she and I go to town with it! I am working up a sweat, shes having a ball...again--win win! I like win-wins :)

#5-take a saturday afternoon and clean out your kids bedrooms. Go through the toy box, all the bins, the closet, etc. They will find toys they had lost and you are getting something done. (win-win). Ava gets sooo excited when we do that!! She will say "Thank you mommy!!" Because to HER its like Christmas morning all over again!!!

Just a few things that I like to do with my child that don't break the bank. What do you like to do?