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Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

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Original poster

Having fun on v small budget. How do I do it?

48 replies

dinny · 15/12/2004 21:17

I was planning to return to work when ds was 6 months old but I just don't want to leave him yet. We can just about afford for me to stay off work for longer but I will have very little spending money. I am so happy I can be with my boy longer but I'm not sure how I'll entertain him (well, he's easy) and dd who is 2.5. Any suggestions for free/cheap activites? I live in London, btw. Thanks, Dinny

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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SantaFio2 · 17/12/2004 19:00

gawd losing it here but some Mother and toddler groups are only 50p to a pound. Not my cup of tea but cheap

feastofstevenmom · 17/12/2004 19:03

if you are anywhere remotely near a SureStart centre, they tend to have lots of brill free grous/classes (some with creches)(and usually not too fussy if you are exactly in their catchment area, as long as you don't want subsidised equipment etc)

Original poster

dinny · 19/12/2004 09:48

Some really great ideas here - thanks

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maomao · 19/12/2004 10:04

DD has great fun just walking down the block, trying to spot Christmas trees (or jack-o-lanterns, or whatever else she chooses as the theme). Jumping in puddles, picking up leaves, and rocks are big hits with her. We also get lots of mileage out of going to the library, not just for rhyme time, but to pick out books and to play with the toys. And she could sit and colour with crayons for hours on end.

I think we might make a trip to the V&A to see their Christmas tree, as I heard that it's lovely (and it's free!).

maomao · 19/12/2004 10:06

BTW, that's a great link, spacedonkey. Thanks very much!

PaRumPumPumScum · 19/12/2004 11:09

Thnaks sd- the frost fair looks brilliant. I think we'll be off there today.

tigermoth · 19/12/2004 12:00

hey rumpumpum, look out for us!! we're off to the frost fair too, I think (and the South Bank Manga festival as ds1 likes Mange drawing).

maomao · 19/12/2004 12:09

Ooo, please tell me how it is! I was hoping to get there today, but it looks unlikely. But I'd love to know whether you had fun!

Original poster

dinny · 19/12/2004 20:45

Tell us about the snow slide - is it OK for a 2.5 year old, you think?

OP posts:

spacedonkey · 19/12/2004 20:46

dinny, I think you can take littlies on it, but only if accompanied by an adult

I might go in the week if it's still on, my kids are coming tomorrow

maomao · 19/12/2004 20:52

SD, pretty sure that it's on until early January.

Original poster

dinny · 19/12/2004 20:53

I may do too - if dd isn't in a tantrummy mood...... Thanks again!

OP posts:

spacedonkey · 19/12/2004 20:54

excellent, thanks maomao and how are you? have you been to frost fair yet?

maomao · 19/12/2004 20:59

Doing well, thanks! No, not been to the Frost Fair yet. We were going to go today, but instead we went window shopping in Marylebone and I bought some books at Oxfam (and cheese at La Fromagerie!).... I really do want to go, and there's an exhibit that I desperately want to see at the Tate Modern.

How are you, donkey dear? Have you been testing dessert recipes? Gotten mired in some marscapone, perhaps?

PaRumPumPumScum · 19/12/2004 23:46

Ooo- did you go, T'moth? Didn't see your plans before we went but I thought the kid queueing in front of me for the snow slide looked a little like your son number one (God, nearly typed his real name then) actually and kept looking at the poor lad funny and grinning before deciding it wasn't him!

We had a great afternoon- thank you very much for the recommendation, spacedonkey.

PaRumPumPumScum · 19/12/2004 23:48

btw, dinny, the rule is if they're under 1.2 metres high they must ride down on an adult lap. Thank goodness my sone scraped in just under- I was most afeared I wasn't gonna get a go.

tigermoth · 20/12/2004 06:57

we went to the south bank, but by the time we had located the manga festival (near County Hall), walked round and had something to eat, it was getting dark. We didn't catch the snow slide, I'm afraid. I want to go back before it closes and also see the Mechanical Theatre exhibition of clockwork machines in the OXO Tower. Glad you and your boys had a good time, Scummy. I looked out for you!

I think the snow slide is probably similar to the one they had at Diggerland in Kent last winter. They had a snow machine and a toboggan run. Don't know if they have one this year.

maomao · 20/12/2004 09:23

Thanks for reporting back --- glad you all had a great time!

walkinginawelshmumwonderland · 20/12/2004 10:23

I second the Sure Start suggestion. Where abouts are you Dinny I might be able to point you in the right direction.
Also we like to get the bus to Trafalgar Square to see the 'mountains', have a drink sitting on the steps and then look at one or two pictures in the National Gallery.
Wobbly bridge and the Tate Modern have served us well.
In fact we don't really do anything together that costs alot of money.
All the best

woodpops · 21/12/2004 16:40

Another vote for mum and toddler groups. The one I go to is 60p each under 1's free. Kids get toast and juice mums get tea and toast and a chance to have a good old chin wagg. They normally run a couple of days a week. Ds and dd also go to pre school which is £4 a session but you have to be 2 to go. DD will also be starting dancing lessons in Jan which is £4 a session.

hatterselfamerrymerrychristmas · 29/12/2004 15:56

we go walking quite a lot. Kicking leaves around in autumn and burying small children in huge piles of leaves is one of my favourite free things. Picnics in summer - take a ball to play with. Races are good - "timing" them running round trees. As they get older you can set them quite complicated courses - (round that tree, touch the fence, back to this hedge etc) Mine never tire of hide and seek (indoors or out). This autumn we made a huge picture on the ground with a load of conkers - they still talk about it. Gardening is another cheap one - fil has an allotment and dd was delighted to be able to eat potatoes she had planted. Crafty things at home don't need to be expensive either - cutting things out from old magazines (children's catalogues are the best) and sticking them to make pictures.

hatterselfamerrymerrychristmas · 29/12/2004 15:58

just thought of another - music and dancing. make home-made drums and rattles (plastic bottles with pasta or dried beans etc) and be very very silly

happymerryberries · 29/12/2004 16:56

Join the local library, great source of a large variety of books and probably free reading sessions as well. Find out if you have a local toy library, if so, join it! If possible walk to them, fun for you both and good to get fresh air, if not take the bus, they will love it. Mums and Toddlers are a great resource for you and the children. Walks are also great, puddle jumping when wet, have a cup of 'hot' choc when you get home. Home made playdough is great fun. Get a mate with a similar ages child and get together for coffee, the kids will have a blast while you get a nice chat.. Make a 'den out of sheets and a clothes airer....let them have picnic tea in it and play adventurers. Have a big cardboard box! They will play in it for ages!

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