Frugal or cheap entertainment ideas for little children

Going to the library's story time was a weekly event for us as was going to the local park.  We also got season passes at a local amusement park and also visited at least once a week.  And since we could go as often as we liked, we only went for a few hours and never bought refreshments there to save more money.

When they're really little (preschool), it's SO much easier to entertain them cheaply.  At least it was for me, since a lot of our community events are geared towards that age.

*Free library reading programs and events (clowns, jugglers, magic shows, etc)

*Parks

*Wading pool (get pool passes)

*Mall play area for rainy days

I've always been one to get kids outside. During the day go on walks, hiking, camping, picking flowers, mud pies, kiddie pools, sidewalk chalk, jump rope, bike rides, making forts, etc etc.  In the evenings round up sparklers and glow sticks, get jars for catching fireflies, blankets for staying up late (a treat in itself) and look at stars/constellations/shooting stars, etc.

Go to the library and take advantage of any library or community sponsered free events.

Go to the playground (99% of the time we just go to a nearby school)

Pull out odds and ends of paper, glue, glitter, fabric, markers, crayons and just let them go to town.

Picnics. Something as simple as making a normal lunch but bringing it out on a blanket on the lawn can make it seem more fun and special.

Get them involved with baking or making meals. Sure it may take you twice as long, but a lot of kids LOVE helping in the kitchen.

Honestly, it's so easy to keep kids occupied. And little kids have no concept of expensive or inexpensive entertainment. Fun is fun.

Older kids have a better concept of expenses. If you adopt a "we can't afford to go out so we're stuck at home" attitude, you've automatically just made "staying home" a bad or undesirable thing.

Gardening

Libraries

Small Pool

Swing Sets

hopscotch

jump rope

obstical courses

Beach

local parks

spray grounds

Zoo

Aquarium

sprinklers or inflatable pool in the backyard

water guns/balloons

local touristy areas

Museums

Historical sites

crafts - I have a box of things just waiting for summer to hit - well I may pull a few out early since we don't get out of school until the 26th of June and go back in August. 

Usually on Friday nights we try and have a fire in our firepit. We then make smores always a hit with everyone in the family. 

I am a Meetup.com Mommy. I am in several groups lots of opportunity to go over to a friends house or invite friends over. I have several neighbors with kids near my daughters age. I would really like to get into the just having another kid come over and play in the back yard type events. 

Oh and all of the above

We did swing for summer camps this year. Girl scout day camp, and dance camp, We will be trying out ballet. 

I am going to work at her camp and that is how you get it half off. 

Ship her off to Grandma's Plan to do that and would like to have her cousin up for a few days.