


Fall is here… it’s definitely here. The temperatures have dropped, it’s dark out when we wake up in the morning and it feels like it’s time to get creative when it comes to keeping the kidlets engaged and entertained on these shorter, cooler days.
When it’s pouring rain all winter long in Vancouver, I am constantly looking for ways of entertaining the kids. While we love to hit up local attractions such as Science World and the Aquarium, these activities can get pricey. As some fun alternatives, here are 5 free (or nearly free) activities that are great for kids of all ages to help save money!
Hiking
We are spoiled in Vancouver with an abundance of incredible walking/hiking trails suitable for kids and adults alike. Hiking is a great way of getting outdoors, getting active and spending some quality time with your children!
Story times at the public library
For those parents who still have teenier ones, hitting up the public library nearest you for their story times is a great free activity to do with your kids! Make sure you pop online to check out what your library has on offer! For the older kids, trips to the library are also a great way to spend an hour in the day. I know how excited I get seeing the selection of titles available! (#bookworm)
Baking
Yes, there is cost involved in the ingredients required to make any given baked treat, but grab a simple muffin recipe (like this one!) and you’ll maybe even have everything you need on hand already! The kids get to help and it’s a great way of introducing kitchen safety and hygiene in the kitchen. Not to mention how fun it is to lick the spoon 😉
Feeding the ducks
Grab some birdseed from your local pet store and find your nearest duck pond. This is something that my girls LOVE to do and it’s a great way to grab even 20 minutes of fresh air, rain or shine.
Photography assignments
Both my girls have recently taken an interest in taking pictures and videos on an old iPod we had kicking around. Portia (6 years old) really loves it and friend told me about how they create little photography assignments/challenges for their kids. This could be a great activity for any time of year. You can modify the photography assignment to be an indoor activity or an outdoor activity, depending on the forecast.
Saving money is always on my mind. It’s our reality and I think it’s most people’s reality! When I find great ways of making my kids happy that don’t cost a dime, I’m elated. When I find out about ways of receiving money to put toward my girls’ futures… I’m ECSTATIC!
On that note… did you know that the Government of Canada issues grants to families across Canada to help us plan for our childrens’ futures? The British Columbia Training and Education Savings Grant is something parents can apply for once they have an RESP open for their kids. It’s a grant worth $1200 and you are eligible if:
- your child was born in 2006 or later
- you and your child are residents of BC
- your child has an RESP in their name (which can easily be started, at no cost- see below!)
Check out this How To Start page where SmartSAVER.org will tell you how to open an RESP for FREE to get the ball rolling for you! You can find out everything you need to know about the Canada Learning Bond here, as well! Some great ways of planning ahead for your kids. It will take you so little time! I’ll be doing it as soon as I finish telling you all about it, as excitedly as I am!
SmartSAVER is giving one lucky North Shore Mama reader a $50 President’s Choice GC!
Use the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to win! Winner will be drawn on October 15th. Good luck and happy saving!
Photo credit: Rob Ellis
ivy pluchinsky
October 6, 2016 #1 AuthorWe love going to the park!
Monique L.S.
October 6, 2016 #2 AuthorWe love going for neighbourhood walks, but most often end up at the park.
Tara Betterley
October 6, 2016 #3 AuthorWe love going to the local conservation area and walking the trails with the dog!
Maria
October 6, 2016 #4 AuthorI absolutely don’t like cleaning bathroom
Maria
October 6, 2016 #5 AuthorWe love to go bike riding
Mike Gismondi
October 6, 2016 #6 AuthorHiking or bike riding are our favourite free activities.
Elaine G
October 7, 2016 #7 AuthorWe like going to the park.
Amy Heffernan
October 7, 2016 #8 AuthorI love to take my kids to the farm. It is free here! Thanks!
Andrea Amy
October 7, 2016 #9 AuthorWe love going to the park. Its about the only thing that is free here in Calgary lol
Jonnie
October 7, 2016 #10 AuthorWe love to go for bike rides.
angela m
October 7, 2016 #11 AuthorWe love to go for walks or bike rides.
LILLIAN BROWN
October 7, 2016 #12 Authorcleaning my bathroom is my least favourite chore
HEATHER
October 7, 2016 #13 AuthorWe love storytime at the library!
Florence C
October 7, 2016 #14 AuthorGoing to the park with the grandchildren.
Elizabeth R
October 7, 2016 #15 AuthorGoing to the pirate ship playground our town has!
Bailey Dexter
October 7, 2016 #16 AuthorOur favorite FREE activity with the grandkids is always going to the airplane hanger! They love it!
Bailey Dexter
October 7, 2016 #17 AuthorMy household chore that is my least favourite is the kitty litters!
Holly MacRitchie
October 7, 2016 #18 AuthorWe love going to the beach to swim!
Holly MacRitchie
October 7, 2016 #19 AuthorMy least favourite household chore is cleaning the tub/shower
michelle tremblett
October 8, 2016 #20 AuthorWe love taking a walk on the trails behind our house, its always so much fun !
joanne darrell
October 8, 2016 #21 AuthorCleaning the bathroom is my least favourite chore.
Cheryl
October 8, 2016 #22 AuthorMy favourite free activity is going to the park with the kids and in my area there’s a free Oktoberfest breakfast I like taking The kids to as well
Wendy hutton
October 8, 2016 #23 Authorsummertime we spend a lot of time at the splash park
Glogirl
October 8, 2016 #24 AuthorI don’t have kids but as a child I used to enjoy free skating days at the local arena.
Judy Cowan
October 8, 2016 #25 AuthorLove taking my nieces/nephews to the park and we often pack a picnic.
kristen visser
October 8, 2016 #26 AuthorMy favorite free activity to do with my kids is go to the park
kristen visser
October 8, 2016 #27 Authormy least favorite household choir is laundry … well the folding part…its easy to just throw it in the machine. and vaccuming blah!
Tricia Hope
October 8, 2016 #28 AuthorMy favorite FREE activity is beach combing.We find amazing things to bring home and craft with.
Christy eldred
October 8, 2016 #29 AuthorI love going to the beach, looking for crabs, beach glass, swimming when its nice.
Dawn gordon
October 8, 2016 #30 AuthorWe love going to the library !
Josh S
October 8, 2016 #31 AuthorWe love to go for bike rides or walks together as a family.
Sunshine H
October 8, 2016 #32 AuthorWe like going for walks, playing at the park, and going to the library.
Stephanie
October 9, 2016 #33 AuthorI love going to the park with my family on our bikes!
Linda
October 9, 2016 #34 AuthorMy favourite free activity with my child is storytime at the library.
loriag
October 9, 2016 #35 AuthorMy favourite free activity to do with the kids is play board games or go geocaching.
loucheryl
October 9, 2016 #36 AuthorI love going to the park with my boys.
Jacky Y
October 9, 2016 #37 AuthorWe like to go to the park for a walk!
Julie F
October 10, 2016 #38 AuthorWe like going for hikes along the local trails!
Yuen C
October 10, 2016 #39 AuthorMy favourite free activity is going to the library with them.
Kayla Hatch
October 11, 2016 #40 AuthorTaking walks around and exploring our neighbourhood!
sarah alexis
October 11, 2016 #41 AuthorI love playing boardgames with my kids. 😉
josephine evans
October 11, 2016 #42 AuthorCleaning the bathroom sucks!
josephine evans
October 11, 2016 #43 AuthorWe love going for walks and trips to the park.
Yuen C
October 11, 2016 #44 AuthorMy least favourite chore is cleaning the kitchen!
Ali
October 11, 2016 #45 AuthorWe love going to the park.
Sarah De Diego
October 12, 2016 #46 AuthorWalking, scooting or riding down our street while taking the dog for a walk. Everyone has a great time!
Besos Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
Andrea
October 12, 2016 #47 AuthorWe love to ride our bikes!
Karla Sceviour
October 12, 2016 #48 AuthorWe like going for walks and hikes!
Lindsay T
October 12, 2016 #49 AuthorMy favourite free activity to do with my kids is geocaching!
Kristina
October 12, 2016 #50 AuthorHate cleaning the bathroom
Kristina
October 12, 2016 #51 AuthorLibrary story time
Jeannie Lam
October 13, 2016 #52 AuthorLove playing soccer with my kids at the park.
kristen sowko
October 13, 2016 #53 AuthorI really dislike cleaning the bathroom!
Kam
October 13, 2016 #54 AuthorWe love going to the park and playing!
Krista M
October 14, 2016 #55 AuthorWe like to go to the library to take out free books!
Cheryl MacPhail
October 14, 2016 #56 AuthorMy husband and I fave thing to do with the kids is to go on hikes. Our fave spot is checking out different waterfalls!!
Brenda Penton
October 14, 2016 #57 AuthorMy least favourite is cleaning the bathroom, especially the toilet.
Brenda Penton
October 14, 2016 #58 AuthorMy favourite thing to do with the kids is play boardgames
loretta
October 14, 2016 #59 Authoryay swingg
Lushka Smith
October 14, 2016 #60 AuthorMy favourite is going to the library.