As back-to-school season nears, parents may feel a sense of relief that they’ll no longer have to find ways to entertain the kids all day long or shell out cash for expensive day camps and vacations. But just because school is back in session doesn’t mean children no longer require extracurricular enrichment.
A 2008 Harvard study found that participating in official after-school programs improves academic achievement, fosters social and emotional development, helps prevent risky behaviors, reduces juvenile crime and contributes to healthy lifestyles when there’s an exercise component.
What if your school doesn’t offer an after-school program? Ballet and violin lessons can be pricey, and plopping kids in front of the television isn’t great for their brains. Whether you enroll kids in affordable after-school activities, have an after-school sitter or spend time with them yourself, here are some healthy and affordable ways to keep them happily occupied.
1. Go to museums on free admission days.
Most major museums have one day of the week or month when they waive admission fees. Look up the schedules for all your local museums to find out the days when your kids can visit at no cost. Don’t look at just children’s museums, as many regular museums also have kid-friendly exhibits or sections just for children where they can explore art, history and natural wonders. Note that some museums always offer free admission for kids under a certain age.
2. Attend free events at your local library.
Many people forget that their local library offers so much for free. Not only does it cost nothing to hang out at the library or check out new books or movies, but most libraries regularly offer free events geared toward kids. This includes things like group story time, kid’s book clubs and even hobby groups like LEGO clubs. Some libraries offer events for specific age groups, ranging from babies to teenagers.
3. Join community sports leagues.
Private club sports teams can be very costly and usually involve expensive travel, but local community sports leagues are usually very affordable. Worried you don’t have the time or energy take your children to all the practices and games? Get some of your kids’ friends to join the league, or make friends with some of the other team parents to arrange carpools in case you can’t be at every single one.
4. Start a family garden.
Having a family garden creates an educational opportunity for your kids, whether you grow herbs, veggies or simply get some fruit trees. Learning how to tend to the plants gets your kids outside to soak up some vitamin D and offers many lessons about nature, the cycle of life and where food comes from. In addition, gardening has many proven health benefits, such as stress reduction. The seeds and pots needed to get started are usually very affordable at Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart or large grocery stores.
5. Stock up on materials for cheap crafts.
Visit Michaels or Hobby Lobby to load up on easy, affordable at-home crafting supplies that allow for sensory experiences and creative play. Both craft stores usually have coupons on their websites for hefty discounts for online or in-store shopping. Always keep a corner of your home stocked with some crafting essentials, such as construction paper, colored markers, crayons, scissors, watercolors and paint brushes. If your kids get bored with the usual activities, try some of these easy and creative back-to-school craft ideas.
6. Do yoga or exercise together.
Physical activity is crucial for the health of growing children, but they may not get much or any of it during the day, depending on their school. Clear some space in your home — or go outdoors if the weather is nice — and exercise with your kids. You’ll get a workout, they’ll get a workout and you’ll enjoy some quality time together. You can purchase some exercise DVDs online (look on eBay for gently used ones to save money), or visit YouTube, which is chock-full of free exercise videos. For example, check out Cosmic Kids, a channel that offers many free kid-friendly yoga classes, or search “Zumba for kids” on YouTube to find countless videos you can do for free from your living room.
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