Things To Do With Kids » low cost parenting http://rozzell.com Activities that are fun, build closer relationships, and cost little or nothing to do Sat, 02 May 2009 20:00:55 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 Another Low-Cost Idea: Throw a Frisbee http://rozzell.com/another-low-cost-idea-throw-a-frisbee/ http://rozzell.com/another-low-cost-idea-throw-a-frisbee/#comments Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:02:38 +0000 drozzell http://rozzell.com/?p=287

Frisbee is another old standby, with the advantage that Frisbees are readily available and inexpensive. (In fact, many Frisbees are given away as freebies by stores and other organizations every year.) There is something fascinating about the way a Frisbee spins and floats through the air. Learning to throw and catch a Frisbee may take a little practice if your kids have not used one before, but they will quickly get the hang of it. You really need some wide-open space, either a large yard or a park with a lot of open grassy areas.

]]> http://rozzell.com/another-low-cost-idea-throw-a-frisbee/feed/ 0 Low Cost Things to Do With Kids: Family Movie Night http://rozzell.com/low-cost-things-to-do-with-kids-family-movie-night/ http://rozzell.com/low-cost-things-to-do-with-kids-family-movie-night/#comments Tue, 16 Dec 2008 04:08:04 +0000 drozzell http://rozzell.com/?p=249

 

A movie night is a great activity with kids, whether you have one, ten, or any number in between. Rent a DVD or video, find a great movie on TV, or watch a video or DVD that you already own. All our kids like watching movies, and we filter what they are allowed to watch based on their ages. My 6 year old daughter doesn’t enjoy many of the action movies that my teenage boys like (although she does like the Star Wars movies!), and many are not even appropriate for her, so when she is with us we may watch an animated movie, a Disney feature, or something similar.

Interestingly, my older son has certain movies he enjoys to watching more than once. However, as much as he likes certain movies, he gets the most enjoyment from watching them when I am watching with him. He wants to share this great experience he is having, and I can see that it gives him a lot of joy!  In my household we often make popcorn to munch on as we watch, but whether you enjoy snacks or not is up to you. The most important part of the activity is simply the time together. Family movie night is a great thing to do with kids.

]]> http://rozzell.com/low-cost-things-to-do-with-kids-family-movie-night/feed/ 0 Low Cost Things To Do With Kids 8: Help Your Child Write a Letter and Mail it To Himself/Herself http://rozzell.com/low-cost-things-to-do-with-your-child-8-help-your-child-write-a-letter-and-mail-it-to-himselfherself/ http://rozzell.com/low-cost-things-to-do-with-your-child-8-help-your-child-write-a-letter-and-mail-it-to-himselfherself/#comments Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:42:36 +0000 drozzell http://rozzell.com/?p=164 For the cost of a first class stamp you can treat your child to a very simple pleasure. Have your son or daughter write a letter or enclose a picture or drawing and mail it to himself/herself. If your son or daughter cannot yet write, help him or her draw or color a picture and enclose it in an envelope. Then, help your child address it to himself/herself. The final step is a trip to the post office or nearest mail box together to put the envelope in the mail. This simple activity is fun twice—first when the letter is sent, and then again when the letter is delivered. Another idea is to have your child send a letter to his/her grandparents (or the opposite parent) as a surprise.

]]> http://rozzell.com/low-cost-things-to-do-with-your-child-8-help-your-child-write-a-letter-and-mail-it-to-himselfherself/feed/ 0 Low Cost Things To Do With Kids 6: Go Hiking http://rozzell.com/low-cost-things-to-do-with-your-child-6-go-hiking/ http://rozzell.com/low-cost-things-to-do-with-your-child-6-go-hiking/#comments Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:18:49 +0000 drozzell http://rozzell.com/?p=150 Trails for hiking exist almost everywhere. Depending on the part of the country you live in, the scenery will vary, but the reward is the same—an opportunity to walk in natural surroundings, look at nature, and talk about what you see. The hikes don’t have to be strenuous. In fact, it is better if they are not too difficult or too long in distance. Take along a couple of water bottles and some food and stop along the way to have a snack. This is a great way to develop in your child a love of nature and being outdoors.

]]> http://rozzell.com/low-cost-things-to-do-with-your-child-6-go-hiking/feed/ 0 Low Cost Things To Do With Kids 5: Go Fishing http://rozzell.com/low-cost-things-to-do-with-your-child-5-go-fishing/ http://rozzell.com/low-cost-things-to-do-with-your-child-5-go-fishing/#comments Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:05:52 +0000 drozzell http://rozzell.com/?p=147 Fishing is perhaps the classical father-son or grandfather-son activity, but girls like it as well. Teaching a young child to fish is one of the quintessential times for bonding and relationship building. It can be very simple. Just fishing from the bank at a local pond or lake with a bamboo pole and worms is easy, inexpensive, and usually yields results in the form of some caught fish. Opportunities are plentiful in most parts of the country. There are farm ponds, lakes, and rivers in every state. The specific type of fishing will vary from place to place, but the basics are the same. If available, trout farms and catfish farms offer a near certainty that fish will be caught and can be taken home for dinner that same evening. My daughter’s first fishing trip was a success, catching bluegill which I prepared for dinner–yummy! I encourage every parent to go fishing with his or her child, boy or girl.

]]> http://rozzell.com/low-cost-things-to-do-with-your-child-5-go-fishing/feed/ 1 Low Cost Things To Do With Kids 4: Eat Sushi! http://rozzell.com/low-cost-things-to-do-with-your-child-4-eat-sushi/ http://rozzell.com/low-cost-things-to-do-with-your-child-4-eat-sushi/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:16:59 +0000 drozzell http://rozzell.com/?p=137

Yes, I’m serious! This is obviously predicated on your liking sushi, but if you do, going to a Japanese sushi restaurant is a blast. Sit at the sushi bar, talk to the sushi chef, and let the chef recommend things that your child can try. Your child will get a chance to experience a very different kind of restaurant from the usual places children go for lunch or dinner. The variety is amazing, and everything is fresh and healthy. If your child is adventuresome, a variety of different fish, eel, octopus, squid, shrimp can be sampled. Things can get pretty exotic if you like, with delicacies like roe and sea urchin. And if you must have cooked fare, that’s always available, too. Teriyaki chicken, beef or salmon are standards.  Just order what your mind and stomach can handle, and enjoy the experience. I guarantee that your child will be talking about this for a while!

]]> http://rozzell.com/low-cost-things-to-do-with-your-child-4-eat-sushi/feed/ 0