Free Things to Do Near You

winter!

If you can find beach chairs with straps for carrying on your back, it makes the trip to and from the car so much easier!

I use old flat bed sheets as beach blankets. I always pack icy cold water bottles and ice packs in insulated bags with fresh fruit and snacks. In my beach bag, I always keep kids sand/water toys, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, hand soap, hair ties, lotion, band aids/emergency kit, napkins, tissues and bug spray. Don't forget beach towels, sunglasses and spare swimsuits!

We keep an old plastic milk jug or two filled with water in the trunk of our car for a last clean up in the parking lot before we all get into the car to head home. Beware, though! Some milk jug tops are stronger than others so reuse ones that are less likely to pop off and spill all over your trunk.

Bring a garbage bag! Better yet, always keep one in the car as a back up. This is something I often forget to pack and always regret it when I do. They are handy for discarding your own trash throughout the day, of course, but my kids also love bringing our “grabbers” for impromptu beach clean ups, too.

Cook together! This is an activity my kids have loved at every age from toddler to tween, and the bonus is you end up with a yummy (usually!) meal or treat at the end of it.

Sit around backyard campire (firepit); toast up s'mores; catch and release lighting bugs; stargaze

Volunteer as a family at a local community organization.

Many pubic libraries either have play places or offer free activities for kids.