Keeping Kids Busy on a Low Budget

 Bored, BORED, and "I'm Bored mom" is what I hear all day long. Prior to school ending for summer 2017 break, I started to research online to find free or small fee events near Shelby Township, MI for my children and I to keep busy and entertained over summer. 

Courtesy of: Jan Kranendonk

Here were some things I found:

1. Home Depot the 1st Saturday of the month has a FREE Workshop for kids. They are required to build an item such as a birdhouse, after completing the job they get a badge to place on their Home Depot aprons and later get a ticket for a FREE hotdog. The whole event is Free of Cost check it out Home Depot Workshop.
2. Emagine Theaters every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:00am play a FREE movie for kids all summer long. Emagine Theatre check out the list. Children under 11 years of age enter FREE and guests 12 and older pay a $2 fee.
3. Barnes&Noble also has FREE story time throughout the week. Check out the list Barnes&Noble for stores nearest you.
4. Yates Cider Mill also gives away a FREE donut to all guests every Wednesday.
5. Pottery Barn Kids also has FREE story time and activity every Tuesday at 11:00am. Check out the listing Pottery Barn Kids.
6. Parks/School Playgrounds are always completely FREE. (Always check out surrounding cities too!) Shelby Township Parks and Recs
7. Public Library. Get your kids FREE library cards and allow them to check out a book or 2.
8. Also, do not forget to check out a listing of Events at your local mall(s) and community center. Lots of great finds at both. 

With events listed above, visits to grandmas, a few trips to the pool (NOT FREE OF CHARGE), grocery shopping, and playdates with neighborhood friends, I haven't given these children a chance to think of the term "BORED."

I hope this blog gives you ideas to search for FREE or reduced events in your community. What do you do for fun with your children that costs very little???