10 Free or Budget Activities to do with your Preschooler

You want your kids to experience and be exposed to as much as possible. After all, exposure is good. Children who are exposed are knowledgeable, curious and well-rounded; but, the more activities you register them for, the less you see in your bank account. How can you take care of your family’s everyday needs and give your kids exposure?

1.  Utilize passes from the library. Most libraries have partnerships with local businesses, such as museums, aquariums, zoos, etc. that offer discounts to library card holders.

2.  Plan a trip to the local doctor’s office, human society, recycling center, post-office, fire-station, etc. Most children are fascinated by loud noise, bright lights and big trucks. Call your neighborhood business and schedule a visit. I’ve found that most people are delighted to talk about their work, especially to children. Take it a step further and read stories, do a related craft or play a related game. Encourage your child to help plan the trip and ask questions.

3.  Plan a game day. Invite other parents and friends to the park or a local gym (if it’s too cold outside). Ask them to bring balls, toys, games, etc. with them. Set up start and finish lines or time to see who completes the activity first. Give out prizes, such as ribbons, to all of the children. If you do not want to bring a lot of items with you, play “old-fashion” games, such as mother may I, duck-duck goose, red rover, red light/green light, racing, crawling, rolling or tumbling, etc. or other games from your childhood. Children typically do not need much to have fun. They just need an outlet for all of their energy.

4.  Hold a puppet show. You do not need to have puppets to create a show. Go through your child’s toy chest. Choose some of the toys she doesn’t play with any longer and put on a show. Invite family and/or friends and “make her a star.”

5.  Have a board game day or night. If you do not own any board games, make your own. Games can be made by using cardboard, index cards, paper bags, markers, tape, paint, chalk, etc. Play games such as musical cushions, hopscotch (which teaches numbers), alphabet twister, pin the tail (nose, eyes or mouth) on the donkey (or whatever animal/object) you choose.

6.  Go camping. Don’t worry if you don’t have a backyard; camp indoors. Light the fireplace or some candles (be sure it’s a safe distance from little ones) and tell “camp-fire” stores. Cook some hot-dogs or pizza, sing some songs and enjoy each other’s company.

7.  Have a dance party. Turn on the radio, put in a CD or check out one of the many kid-friendly CDs from the library and “dance like nobody is watching”.

8.  Go on a treasure hunt. Hide some things (toys, socks, stuffed animals, treats, etc.) around the house or outside. Tape pictures (for non-readers) to paper to use as a map. Reward your child with a special treat, such as his favorite dessert, for finding everything on the list.

9.  Go on a safari. Most kids have stuffed animals or some type of animal toys. If you do not, cut pictures of animals from a magazine, toy catalog or print pictures off of the computer. Arrange the animals around the room and let your imaginations soar.

10.  Water and “sand” play. It seems you can never go wrong with water and sand play. “Sand” can be made from ingredients, such as flour, corn starch, baking powder, baking soda, grits, baking mix, etc. from your cupboard. Before tossing out those expired ingredients, think about using them for a little sensory play.

There are many activities you can do with your children. Remember, spending time and not always money is what makes life-long memories.

Photo of preschooler game, © Diana on Flickr

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