My family enjoys having family outtings. But we don't like spending a lot (a.k.a. more than $25) to have fun together. Since we have moved recently, I'm not sure where to find good cheap family fun. We enjoy activities like: eating out, movies, museums, plays, music, playgrounds, zoo, indoor swimming pool, etc.
Hands on House in Lancaster
Curiosity Connection in Harrisburg
Longs Park in Lancaster
That Fish Place -- free in Lancaster
Hershey Gardens in Hershey
The Zoo in Hershey -- not sure about the cost for this
Gymboree free play -- pay for kids only
I would suggest joining up with a new moms group or something to help get reduced costs for some things and enjoy play dates which are free.
check with your local library and see if they have free museum passes.
www.momsclub.org ~ you can find a local chapter and check it out. Annual dues are $30. I joined the central York Moms Club this past fall and my kids LOVE it! We have playgroup once a month. (These are "small groups" that get organized by the executive board.) Also, there are usually 2-3 activities a week. Our group has mall walking one morning a week, too. Most of the activities are free or pretty inexpensive. Good luck and God Bless!
Rebecca,
It is tough to find inexpensive outings. First, try to find a group of mom friends to hang out with for playdates for the kids/coffee dates for the moms. Try Meetup.com and then Lancaster County Mom's Group. I made some of my best mom friends through that group, although anymore, my son is in school part time and we don't need the play groups so much anymore.
When it is nice, I pack lunch and go to the park for the day. That is free...we would eat lunch anyway and it feels special to take a picnic blanket enjoy the outdoors, explore a park. The mom's group often meets at parks at least once a week over the warm months, or since you are new to the area, correspond by email with some moms from western Lancaster (maybe post for email friends on here) and when you find a few that you feel you have something in common with, start meeting at a park for playdates.
We save quarters and go to:
-Jimmy Macks (route 462 west, over the bridge then not far past Wrightsville) for the arcade, kiddie rides, playground and ice cream.
-Chuckie E Cheese, just to play, we don't eat there, or maybe kids will have a slice of pizza
-playground at Park City downstairs at the food court. FREE
-KidsEscape in New Holland, it's a drive for you, but it's only $5 per kid, I think for 2 hours at the huge indoor playground and they have coupons online.
Also you could trade off hosting play dates with another mom and just snacks and an activity for the kids...could be finger painting, play dough, seasonal crafts, of just playing together for an hour or two.
Hands on House is good, but it is between $5 and $10 per kid. We found it more economical to become members and then we went at least once every week or two.
Hang in there, in 3 years they'll all be in school!
L.
They are opening an indoor bouncing place for the kids on Mondays called Atomic Bounce at the Red Lion Fire Company 201 W Broadway Red Lion, Pa 17356 you can get in for a 2 hour session for only $5 dollars!!!! There website is http:/myspace.com/321bounce to check it out :)
Not sure about your area but your kids are at the perfect age to visit the local library with you. Not only is it free, but if each child is a different character in a book as you read, they will act out the story (like Little Red Riding Hood)and learn early how to comprehend what they are reading. They will learn reading can be fun as well as educational and it makes them better readers leading to better grades in school and a brighter future. You can also go on a picnic. Try making up stories. One person begins a story, then after an idea is presented, another child adds to the story, and the other child makes up the ending. My kids did this when they were in the car and when we went to bed at night and couldn't sleep. Good luck!
Joanie
I'm all for saving money!!! Now that the weather is breaking there are some great parks around and we usually pack a picnic. Also they have the $2 movie theatre- Where abouts are you living?? (I'm in York)You could also look into the local Library- they usually having story and crafts during the week. Let me know if ya find a good place, I've only been here about 9mo.
A.
Rebecca,
I'm not sure where you live, but there are a host of places within the York, Lancaster, Hershey, and Gettysburg areas that have great activities for low or no costs. Factory tours are a big hit. We just went to the Wolfgang Candy Factory about a month ago and enjoyed the tour very much. Be sure to ask if they will be operating the machinery when you get there. They have tours at 10:00am and 2:00pm until the summer schedule comes out. Other tours include: Herr's snack factory tour, and Intercourse Pretzel Factory. These, along with many others are free. I jumped on line and searched for activities and found many.
I hope this helps. Happy searching,
Jen
