Indoor Activities to Do with Kids

As the summer months come to an end, stay-at-home parents, nannies, and others who spend their days with young children may find themselves starting to panic. During the summer, it is easy to find lots of free outdoor activities, such as parks and nature centers, to keep the little ones busy. But as it gets colder, we find ourselves trying to find indoor venues that won't break the bank! Here are five surprising resources that caregivers can look to during the fall and winter months.

Libraries. This may seem like an obvious one, since most people make a point of taking their little ones to the library on a regular basis. But libraries offer a lot more than just books. First of all, many libraries now have children's areas with toys, computer games, puzzles, and more, that kids can use in the library. Libraries usually offer story hours and craft sessions for kids, as well as special events such as author visits. When looking for things to do with your kids, don't just look at the library in your own town. Investigate libraries in the surrounding towns, as well. Chances are, every library within driving distance has something special to offer. For instance, where I live, one library twenty minutes away has an Enchanted Forest area with little rooms set up to look like they came straight out of storybooks. The same library also has its own sandwich shop where my little ones love to stop for a snack after library time! Another library has a tepee that little ones can crawl into to read. Yet another library has a sand table and a puppet theatre.

Malls. Spending a day shopping with you might not be your kids' idea of a good time. But they might just go for it if you take them to a mall that has special services catering to children! Many malls have built special play areas for children, featuring climbing equipment, slides, tunnels, etc. Some malls have train rides, carousels, and other goodies. Also, a lot of malls now have clubs for kids, which meet on a regular basis right inside the mall. Sponsored by different businesses in the mall, kids' clubs feature everything from story times and sing alongs, to professional entertainers, to health and wellness classes for kids, to great giveaways and freebies.

Park Districts. Most park districts have a lot to offer. Once again, don't just check out the park district in your own town, but investigate surrounding towns' park districts as well. Some park districts boast indoor playgrounds that are open to the public on certain days of the week, for just a few dollars. Small museums, indoor swimming pools, and open gyms, are among the treasures you may find at different park districts. Park districts also often host special events such as ice cream socials, family parties, puppet shows, and holiday events.

Nature Centers. If it isn't too cold out, go ahead and bring your kids back to the nature centers you enjoyed visiting in the summer months. Chances are, nature centers have neat things to see in the fall and winter as well. Go for a hike in the fall and look at all of the changing colors on the leaves, or try your hand at snowshoeing in the winter!

Meetup.com. This is a website to help people create and join clubs for just about any interest, hobby, or need you can think of. The site is especially chock full of playgroups! Enter your zip code, and use search words such as Moms, Parents, Toddlers, Playgroups, Children, etc. When you join a playgroup, you'll often find that everyone pools their resources and knowledge to find fun places to go and things to do with the kids. They may also take turns hosting play dates at members' homes. There are so many playgroups out there, you'll probably be able to find a group that you and your children will feel comfortable with. Your kids can make new friends, and so can you!

So, don't despair! Summer may be over, but there's still plenty of fun to be had. You just have to know where to look!