Photo: Cockburn Libraries
It seems that kids oftentimes have boundless energy; never quite tired and always looking for further stimulation. In the age of the internet and video game consoles, many children have started playing more games online or on their consoles, watching online videos for hours, chatting with their friends on social networking sites, and downloading countless hours of music. In a sense, our kids are getting lazier with how they spend their time, and their hobbies are getting more expensive.
For parents on a limited budget, it may be tempting to allow your children to occupy themselves with the television, but there are much better alternatives that are just as cheap, if not absolutely free. There are countless ways to keep your kids entertained and educate them at the same time, without spending a cent! The following will help parents keep their children busy without having to spend hundreds of dollars on the latest technology to keep them happy.
Sports
Just this year, the government has allotted an astounding $43.9 million to continue the Active After-school Communities program. The program has been successful in encouraging children to be actively involved in sports and other physical activities after the school day is over. The funding not only goes towards helping more children get involved in sports, but it provides free training for teachers and parents who also want to get involved, making it an overall positive impact on everyone in the community.
There are many benefits to getting your kids involved in sports:
- Increases their self-confidence
- Builds the foundations of teamwork and helps them to learn to work well with others to benefit the group as a whole.
- Increases their physical fitness, allowing them to live long, healthy lives
- Encourages a life-long love of sports from an early age
- Keeps not only the body active, but the mind as well, allowing them to learn more quickly
- Decreases restlessness and boredom
If there are no sports programs in your area, there are also local playgrounds that will help keep your children active.
Visit a Library
Fostering a love for reading at an early age can be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make as a parent. Many libraries recognize the importance of this, so many public libraries have started offering “Kids Only” cards to suit each child’s literary needs. Many libraries also offer story time for the younger set, allowing them to engage with the story and the reader. Captivating their imagination with stories instead of allowing them to zone out in front of the television will boost their overall thinking abilities and give them an advantage over their classmates later down the road.
Many libraries offer free wifi Internet, allowing you to save money if you choose not to have an internet service at home.
Learn a New Language
Learning a new language at an early age is also very advantageous. Research studies show that the earlier a child begins learning their second language, the easier it will be for them to maintain a high level of fluency within a shorter amount of time than it would take for a teenager or adult. A second language is also a crucial asset to have in today’s globalized society, once again making your child stand out from his peers during the school years.
There are numerous free language learning resources, whether it be books from the library or online learning programs (a great list of such resources is available here: http://www.openculture.com/freelanguagelessons). Learning a second language is not only extremely fun, but it easily occupies their time with something exciting and personally enriching.
Visit cultural sites.
There are hundreds of art galleries around the country that offer free admission to their beautiful art exhibits. Studying art is just like reading: imaginatively empowering and educational. You never know: taking your child to an art gallery may inspire the next world-renowned artist.
There are also historical museums that have free entry. A knowledge of one’s history is imperative to anyone hoping to do well academically. In a sense, it’s just like story time, only these stories are real.
Take a walk with nature
All Gold Coast National Parks offer free admission as well. The views are spectacular, the hikes through the rainforests are simply enchanting, and there are even swimming opportunities available in gentle streams and freshwater lakes.
So, for any family on a budget, entertaining kids can be a wonderfully positive and educational experience. There’s no need to continue buying your kids the latest toys and gadgets in hopes that they will finally be happy when comparing their possessions to their friends. Learning a new skill or engaging in new experiences with culture and nature are worth far more than any silly technological device. This not only leads to more family time together, but healthier, more well-rounded children as well.
Sometimes, the best things in life really are free.
What are some of your favourite ways to save money while keeping your kids entertained? Share your ideas here!
