5 things

5 things
to do with your kids that are always less than twenty dollars or free.

1.Go on vacation in your own back yard

Take a nature hike (depending on your yard you probably won't even need to bring extra water.) Pitch a tent or spread a blanket and watch the night sky come. Camp out right there on your own turf.

2. See the world from a child's eye view

Experience the down low. Walk on your knees or get down on all fours. If you have a baby, lay on the ground and experience things from an ankle biters perspective. Little kids love this and you really will develop an appreciation for what it's like to navigate and observe their world.

3. Google Earth
Zoom from space to sea level. This is just one of the coolest things ever. Elementary kids spend hours on this touring the world. We like to look for penguins in the Antarctic and find Disney World. And it's the easiest way to find yourself.

4. Art for arts sake

Picasso said that every child is an artist. Most cities have art museums with free admission. If you've never been, check it out. Not every painting is a stuffy old picture of some dude in a wig. If you can't get out to one try the internet. Check out The Smithsonian's Night at the Museum treasure hunt.
and the Metropolitans Museum Kids site.

5. Park it

We love parks and playgrounds, from the elementary school playground to the city park. These are the perfect places to be a Momdad and find the kid in you. Make sure you go down the slide and climb over and under everything. Even teens love playgrounds and they might just jump at the chance to go with you. (Even though they will pretend you are lame for asking)