Cheap things to do with kids for the Christmas break

So, you’ve already maxed out your credit cards buying gifts and goodies for potlucks and holiday gatherings. And, you’ve also booked the last of your vacation days for the year. Now, the kids are off. Oh, and so are you! What can you do without spending more than what you have budgeted for?!

To be honest, I would like to just chill over the holidays and finish that book I am reading! So, let’s add "not-so-tiring" to "budget-friendly" to the list of activities your family can do over the holiday break :)

1. Catch a movie. There are a lot of new movies out this season. There are actually 3 I would want to see! Movie houses are open on Christmas day and New Year’s as well (when most everything is closed!)

2. Free ice-skating. Skate for free at the Natrel rink at Harbourfront. Or check out your Community Centre for skating schedules—it’s either free on some days or kids pay under $5! I don’t actually skate but the kids do. Let’s see those months of skating classes pay off!

3. Drive around neighborhoods to check out some holiday lights. Niagara has a Festival of Lights and so does Downsview Park. Niagara is free (but quite a drive) and Downsview park charges per vehicle. I believe you can also walk through for a different fee. I have personally not seen the Trail of Lights at Downsview, but the Niagara one is nice.

4. And if all else fails (ie, you are stuck at home due to a snowstorm)--Games at home. Let the kids enjoy the gifts they got for Christmas. We got a few new boardgames and videogames (and am so excited for the kids to get their gifts!!!). Give the kids a chance to play with the toys they got and have some quality time playing Wii or Monopoly!

5. Oh wait, speaking of snowstorm…empty plastic containers + snow = snow forts for more snow play! And you can actually just do this outside your house! Hot chocolate with marshmallows after being in the cold makes the afternoon just perfect. Whatever you end up doing, low cost or not (catching a show, going away), I hope that your holiday will be filled with family get-togethers, love and laughter, and prayers and thanksgiving. Have a very Merry Christmas!