I enjoy finding new activities for us to do as a family that are low cost or even free. I was recently reminded of a great source of free family activities: school!
Your local public and private schools may offer a lot of different fun activities that don’t cost much or even anything at all. For example, in the newsletter that my son brought home from elementary school on Friday, there was a notice about a weeknight concert. A famous author and story teller is giving the community a night of entertainment through his stories. This is a great opportunity for the kids to be exposed to a professional art form they haven’t yet experienced. The cost: free.
Last weekend, the same school hosted a spring fair, complete with a grade school version of American Idol that kids could enter to win prizes. Another school in the district is hosting their own carnival, with free rides and low cost food.
Other forms of school entertainment include low cost ice cream socials, pancake and muffin breakfast, pizza parties, craft fairs, and more. Some events are free, while others in an effort for fund raising do charge for games or entrance, but the fees are usually small and well worth it.
Local school productions, from music concerts to plays can be quite good for the cost of only a few bucks. a few years ago, we saw a professional city orchestra who donated their time to perform at a local high school. The cost for the entire show was only $1 per person.
Just because summer is coming up doesn’t mean that the school entertainment has to stop. There are often hikes, summer picnics and other events that families of students and the community can attend. So look around your town, check out local school websites and community newspapers to learn of free family fun at school.