Après Holiday Fun!

Written by Stephanie Arsenault; Photo: PhotoXpress.com

Happy New Year! The holiday season has come and gone, and now here we are in the middle of winter wondering what to do. It’s a time where money can be tight, and kids are bored after all the hullabaloo of Christmas, so it’s tough to find a balance of putting your bank back in the black and keeping the whole family happy. Luckily, there’s no shortage of activities for kids of any age (including grownup kids, like you!), and you don’t need to break the bank to have a good time. Here are 10 budget-friendly family fun tips to help keep your winter bright:

1. Make your own sleds: If you have older kids, this activity is great for the whole family! First, have each family member create a sled out of household items. Boxes and garbage bags are obvious choices, but encourage everyone to use their imaginations. How about recycling containers (or what’s in them), items from the garage or even the kitchen (large Tupperware might do the trick!)? Once everyone has finished his or her creation, head to the hills and put them to the test. This is a great way to get creative, get outdoors and spend some quality time with your loved ones.
   
   
2. Winter bird houses: Not all birds fly south for the winter, so surely a place to stay and a bite to eat would be appreciated! Take advantage of a snowy day and have your kids make a simple bird house out of an empty milk carton. All you’ll need is a pair of scissors, some twine (or other strong string), waterproof craft paint (Martha Stewart’s paint line at Michaels works great), paint brushes and bird seed. First, wash out the carton with warm, soapy water. Cut a hole about 5 centimetres (2 inches) in diameter near the bottom of the carton. Punch two holes just below the seam at the top of the carton to string the twine through when the bird house is ready to hang. Paint the house as desired, and let it dry for at least 24 hours before taking outside. Fill the bottom of the carton with birdseed, string the twine through the holes on top, and hang outside near a window so you and your little ones can admire your new tenants!
   
   
3. Mini vacation: After the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed, and that a vacation is in order. Unfortunately, a big trip might not be in the budget after all the spending that goes along with Christmas. Instead of hopping on a plane to some tropical destination, hop in the car and spend a night at a local hotel! Many hotels have great off-season specials right now - like discounts on rooms, free meals or activities, or free nights (two-for-one type deals). Order in room service (even if it’s just dessert!), splash around in the pool, have a blast on the waterslide and stay up late; after all, you are on vacation!
   
   
4. Start a playtime book club: If you’ve got young children at home, you know that it can be tough to get some adult time. Just remember; there are a ton of people in the same boat as you! Instead of just scheduling playdates with your child’s friends, organize a book club with their parents at the same time. Get caught up on hot new novels while in the company of like-minded people, and let your children have fun and burn off some steam while you’re at it!
   
   
5. Throw a pajama party: Kids love having sleepovers, but as a parent, it’s not always that easy to accommodate several children. (Where do they sleep? What if one of the kids wakes up in the middle of the night and wants to go home hungry?) Ditch the worry and throw a pajama party instead! Invite three to five of your child’s friends over, pop some popcorn and set out some healthy snacks and drinks. Pile up a few cozy blankets and pillows on the couch, pick out a couple movies and press play! It’s a great opportunity for kids to let loose and spend some quality time with their friends, and it can be the perfect time for parents to sit back and have a nice visit; especially if you invite some of the other parents over for an evening in as well.
   
   
6. Take a themed visit to the library: Kick your next visit to the library up a notch by sending your little ones on a mission! Before you head out, pick a theme (for example: snow, jungles or bears). When you arrive, have your children find five items that can be checked out from the library that are applicable to the theme. When you get home, spend a couple of hours as a family going through the treasures that have been brought back. Point out cool facts, make a couple “top 10 lists” (for example: 10 things I didn’t know about bears), and make note of any questions your children might have so you can help them find the answers. It’s educational, but it’s also a free, fun use of time on a cold winter day!
   
   
7. Have a puppet show: Don’t underestimate the simple joy of taking an old sock or a paper lunch bag and turning it into a puppet! All you need are a pair of scissors, some glue and whatever you’ve got lying around the house that could be used to create a cool creature. Help your children with using the scissors, if necessary, but otherwise just encourage them to let loose and use their imaginations! Give the glue an hour or so to dry and – ta-da! – it’s show time!
   
   
8. Light it up in Canmore: Starting at the Canmore Civic Centre Plaza, this annual event brings hundreds of people together with a stunning assortment of homemade paper lanterns for a parade through the town’s trails. If you plan to go, try making a couple lanterns of your own to bring along, or take one of the free lantern-making workshops offered by the Town of Canmore. For details on the festival, or on the workshops, visit canmore.ca; the Canmore Lantern Festival takes place on Friday, February 1 at 5:30pm.
   
   
9. Have some fun at Winter CARnival: From December 27 to January 5, head to Heritage Park to take part in Winter CARnival! We’re well into the season, and it’s about the time of year that cabin fever sets in. Get rid of the winter blues at this spectacular indoor event with Canadian winter-themed games and crafts. If you feel like venturing outside, bring your skates and enjoy the free outdoor skating rink at Heritage Town Square. For more great winter fun activities, check out the Calgary’s Child calendar at calgaryschild.com.
   
   
10. Make your own baby food: While it may not seem like a ton of fun, it’s definitely rewarding to make your own baby food, in more ways than one! First of all, it’s a good decision money-wise. If you are currently feeding your child jarred baby food, the cost of all that food really adds up; especially if you’re going organic. Second, one afternoon of cooking saves you countless shopping trips! Third, you get to be in control of what your child is consuming. No additives, extra sugar, fat, salt or any other undesirable ingredients. Just mimic the prepared food that you usually buy, blend and freeze in a clean ice cube tray. This results in perfect- sized portions; just thaw individual servings in the microwave, and you’re good to go! A few tips: always opt for organic, clean all fruits and vegetables extremely well, and always use separate cutting boards to reduce the chance of cross contamination.

Do you have a budget-friendly, family fun tip that you’d like to share with our readers? Send it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and it could be featured in the next Calgary on the Cheap!