Free things to do on maternity leave

[peachesandsweets]

Currently on my second maternity leave. The first time around with DD we did something every single day - baby classes, swimming, sensory, dog walks, coffee and lunch dates with my NCT friends. It was fab - but I was a lot better off!

However, cost of living has hit us hard and with no savings this time and crappy Mat leave pay - I'm looking for ideas to fill our weeks ahead, that aren't just relying on going to the park and staying at home...

DD is looked after twice a week, but I will have a two year old to entertain as well for some of those days as well.

I really have a very very tight budget and most of my friends who live local are back working now.

I'm sure there are some cheap/ free playgroups I could try out, but I'm a little anxious about going with two kids!

When I had a baby and a 2 year old we used to go to a local playgroup 2-3 times a week, more for the 2 year old to play and me to speak with other adults than baby. Then possibly the park/feed ducks/picnic/city farm or similar on other days/in the afternoons. Meeting friends for walks, making a nature treasure hunt or something is also fun for them and gets you out. Do they scoot or have a balance bike? You can go way further with these and it makes them nice and tired for bedtime if they’re not napping?

During the summer if you have an outside space, even if tiny, a little paddling pool is a thing of joy and can take up an entire afternoon with filling and playing. Also giant chalks for outside, and a small thing of crafty bits to pull out and play with when the weather is crap/you’re all tired uses up lots of time.

Most of the free playgroups have a wife are range and are often attended by people with 2+ children - c hildminders take several. They are often quite "free range" and have various tables so as long as you keep an eye out for both its ok.

Do you have a children's centre nearby? Library? Church?

Does your local library have story and rhyme sessions? They're called Bookbug in Scotland, not sure what they'd be called in England but I assume they have something similar!

Pet shop

My local churches do baby mornings for a fee of 50p. It's open to all and you don't have to be Christian to join in. Maybe check out ypur local area.

As above for local play groups/church run ones rather than classes. I joined the national trust which was 11£ a month and the wet life trust which costs me 8£ but we have a lot of places near us to go. Meant we could go to a couple of different places each week for £19 a month and I’d take a big picnic blanket and a picnic, they do lots of activities during the holidays/balance bikes/sports baskets etc. We also have 2 large garden centers near us, with indoor sandpit/park/fish - sometimes I’d get us a pot of tea and cake to share with the toddler.
There’s also a fruit picking place near me that has a small park/plants and you pay £3 for a punnet to collect in, toddler loved it and if it was the last week of the month I’d take sandwiches to eat in the fields/park area.
If you have any good attractions near you maybe look at the cost of membership and ask relatives to contribute if any birthdays coming up.

Pressed reply too soon...Also, there's loads you can do at home for nearly next to nothing or with buts you have at home. Plan a treasure hunt walk for your toddler, ie) find a super tall tree, spot 3 red cars etc

Leave rubbings and flower pressing, using parchment paper.

Finger painting in the garden

Shaving foam and food colour in a zip lock baggy, sensory drawing

See the ducks, pond dipping

Go to the train station and count and watch trains come in

Make a sensory table for the garden with things you've collected on walks

Finger painting

River, canal, pond walk and picnic

Framers markets and fairs- checknout Facebook or the nextdoor app

Libraries and often Malls/shopping centres have free or cheap events in for kids

Baby and toddler mornings at Vue cinema. Our local one is like £4.99 for an adult and £2.99 for a child baby would be free

Look out for restaurants and see if they are doing kids eat free or for a £1

Local theatre may have free dress up mornings available or free/cheap activities

Check out your leisure centre they have things on

Oh god I hated classes/clubs/toddler groups

I used to do lots of walks. Pack sandwiches and fruit, walk to the furthest green space I could bear, let them out for a run/toddle, blow bubbles and take some of their noisier toys, and a ball etc.
Walk back via some toddler swings.

I'd also take them on the bus or tram, just do a loop, see if there was any free city farm type things for a wander round.

I always came back mid afternoon, theb just living room/garden play, bit of music on, few chores while they rampage around the living room with their hobby horse or whatever.