How to Amuse Your Kids on a Budget

Outdoor Fun

Contact your local tourist office or consult your city website for details of local places that offer the timeless attractions of tobogganing, ice-skating or guided nature walks. Most conservation areas and parks are free, or at least cheap, to access. You will also find information on special events and free activities specially run on weekends or during school holidays.

Pick a national park

Canada’s parks are a national treasure. In fact, 13 of them—including Nahanni National Park Reserve in the Northwest Territories, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump in Alberta and Miguasha Park in Quebec—
are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, earmarked for protection. Most charge just $4 or $5 for entry and have special rates for families. Special activities may include nature walks, demonstrations or workshops on native skills or pioneer life, and night-sky explorations. Good value for the money.

Pick a project

Save money on activities outside the home by getting your children started on an inexpensive project to last them over the holiday, such as mega Lego building, putting together a large scrapbook or building and staging a holiday puppet show. This makes it easier for other people to cover for you as the children have a specific interest to occupy them.

Culture Vultures

Children’s workshops
There are children’s workshops covering many different arts and crafts activities, from jewellery-making and mask-making to T-shirt decoration, and many more. Some workshop venues have individual websites, and others can be found by going to your city website and selecting the children’s events link. Local libraries and museums should also have useful information.

Theatre and dance
Many local theatres and community centres run children’s workshops. To check out the full range of offerings in your province, go to theatrecanada.com and click on Kids.

Check out museums
Entrance fees to museums are generally reasonable, especially family tickets and group bookings. Many large museums have a day or part of the day when they open their doors for free. At the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, you can take the whole family on Friday night at no charge and at the Musée des Beaux Arts in Montreal, viewing the permanent collection is free any day of the week. Check your local museums to find out about special rates. The larger museums provide a whole day’s entertainment.

Be a tourist in your own city
Live in a larger town or city? Pop into the visitor’s bureau for a book of coupons that offer special prices on local attractions and restaurants. Meant to lure visitors, they often include two-for-one coupons, or offers of 10% or more off the bill.

Family Reductions on Travel

Day passes
Getting around a city with a public transportation system can be quite cost-effective with a day pass and you won’t have to worry about finding your way around or parking a car. In Victoria, for example, kids ride free with an adult 19 or older who has a bus pass and in Toronto, an $8 family day pass is good on weekends and holidays. Call your local transit commission to see what’s on offer.