Though you have to search high and low for them, there really is a plethora of free activities in most areas.  Back when Brayden was two, and he was the only little in our house, I remember that I bought a teacher’s planner from the dollar section at Target and dug through online sources for activities each day, carefully planning out our weeks.  Which libraries had story times on which days.  And which places had special events.  What days the children’s museum had free enrichment programs.  When characters visited Barnes and Noble or the museum or the library, so we could “meet” our favorite book pals.  We rarely stayed home–Brayden was a very socialized toddler.

I don’t do that anymore.  Now there’s two of them, and now I’m a waddling pregnant woman.  But Brayden still likes to get out of the house, so I try to take them at least once or twice a week to a fun place of some sort.  James took the boys out for ice cream last night and discovered a calendar full of fun activities at a local farm.  So we ventured out to check out the “Tales and Tails” program, which involved a couple of stories and some farm animals.  Today we met some baby chickens.  Brayden was by far the oldest child there.  It was entirely way too crowded.  And Carter was a grump nearly the entire time.  But hey, it was free, right?  And it was only five minutes from home.  Bonus all around.