Activities posts

For school-age kids, it's the best time of year: school's out for summer and it's time for summer vacation. For Mum and Dad, it's all about keeping the kids occupied.

As the warm days bring many opportunities to play outside and have a good time, it's also about trying to keep those children occupied. So Mum and Dad - what are the kids going to do this summer?

For those who have the plans for summer camp or cottage locked down, there's already a busy schedule planned.

But for those days when there's apparently nothing to do - what can the kids do to keep busy, have fun and not cost money?

It's that time of year, if you don't get out of the house with the kids or at the very least get the kids out of the house you're likely to lose your sanity. I recently did a run-down of kids sports programs and what you get for your money, but not every child is on her way to becoming the next Cassie Campbell. It's important to remember, some kids excel at activities of the mind. (And don't nerds make more money eventually anyway?) So here are some financially viable options to consider to keep your child busy and mentally motivated this winter.

Art classes
If you want a fun math problem, add up the cost of playdough, paints, markers, crayons, crate paper and easels that have passed through your rec room. Multiply this by the cost of carpet cleanings.
Cheaper and less frustrating are art classes at your local gallery. Here your pint-sized Picasso will have the artistic freedom to pursue his life's work surrounded by somebody else's white walls. In most art classes offered your child will at the very least get to experiment with painting and drawing. In some sessions, sculpting and printmaking are offered.
Weekend classes range from about $100 - $180 for four weeks depending on the gallery, which means paint on the canvas is a lot less than re-painting your kitchen.
Rating: Not Bad but be sure your minuscule Monet knows that what happens at the gallery stays at the gallery.