Some ideas please for extra cheap/ish clubs for the darlings to join!

[paranoidmother]

So DD (7) and DS (5) have at last moved up in swimming groups and free-ed (?) up Saturdays.

So was thinking that perhaps could do something else with them on a Saturday instead or DH can whilst I'm at work but probably starting in September.

They'll be doing French Club on Mondays after school and Swimming on Tuesdays after school.

DD adores reading and DS loves computer games but want something a bit different or to stretch them in other ways but can't afford to pay out huge amounts. We also live in the middle of no-where (or it seems like it!) and would probably have to drive at least 10-15 minutes at least to get anywhere.

So any ideas? I've gone completely blank.

TIA

One other thing to add is I could teach them the basics of learning an instrument as I use to play before I had them so is it too early to learn any of the following: Piano/Sax/Flute/Clarinet?

my friends 6 and 7 year old DSs have learned piano with her but from a book as well - not sure what the book is
A cheap evening thing could be beavers or rainbows for your DD - your DS would have to wait until he is 6 - can be waiting lists for both

• football at least round our way is also cheap

Your dd could join brownies as she is 7 which is a good alround activity. drama groups near where I am tend to be expensive but my sister has one close to her which is good value.

My dd's 6 and 4 do a ballet/ modern dance/ tap lesson which they love. Saturday morning is probably more of a see what's availlable on the day local to you.

thank you.

horse riding,
musical instrument,
dancing,
drama,
sailing,
rainbows
beavers
cubs
swimming club rather than just lessons.
football
ice skating
ice hocky
arts and crafts at home
cycling walking etc with dad
photography with dad
scrap booking with dad
fishing with dad
beach combing with dad
anything free outdoors together

tenis
gymnastices
trampolining

I would say quite a few on that list are pretty expensive turnig

Piano/Sax/Flute/Clarinet

I would have thought they were too young for Sax, you need bigger hands for that. DD started Alto Sax at 9.5. DS2 started Clarinet at 7.5.

Why not recorders? Very cheap and a really good grounding for Sax/Flute/Clarinet? And an under-rated instrument in their own right too.

They aren't too young for piano IMO as long as a) they want to learn and b) they will learn from you.

I also know one musical Mum who has had a lot of fun with her DCs and ukeleles.

MY DSs go to Taekwondo on Saturdays which where we are is very reasonably priced and flexible in times, but I know from friends who have just moved this is not the same everywhere.

What about your local library? Get them into the habit of choosing their own books, but also take advice from the hugely knowledgeable librarians. My two have loved reading from a young age and I couldn't afford to keep up with their appetite for books. The library was a life saver. Most are open on Saturdays and you could make it a trip every 2 or 3 weeks.

Wildlife watch is free and only once a month.
Tennis is not expensive. We pay only £1 more for an hour of tennis 'squad' than we do for 30 mins group swimming lesson at council pool. The tennis has fewer kids and more coaches. At this age a club will lend you a racquet and shorts in any colour are fine.
Judo
You can start life-saving badges at the pool if they made it through grade7.

We do skipping in the garden. Many tricks to learn, great fun , and cost next to nothing.