Frugal March Break in Ottawa, Canada

So it's March break, I have been looking forward to this so much. I am excited to spend time with my school aged child.

If you are privileged to be home with your little ones this March Break and like myself you are a parent who rather than send your kids off to camp, you much prefer to utilise this break to bond, connect and grow your relationship, than read on.

And if like me you're a single parent on a budget or even those who are not single parents but like to be SMART about money this is for YOU darlings.

I have done a little research and found a few activities for you to choose from and bring your children and enjoy. But I will also post some ideas of things to do at home, crowd free.

--- Keep on reading for all the fun ideas, I have included all the links and you will be taken to their respective homes by simply clicking the different color word. -----


Make sure to check your neighbourhood mall for fun and FREE activities, here are a few I found:

Super Hero fun at Carlingwood 

Hazeldean Mall has DAILY activities planned for kids this March break how awesome is that!

Place D'orleans has March Mania, some really cool things happening in their March Break FUNtacular schedule.


There are a few stores that are participating in the March fun, below you will find a list of a couple that I researched:

Ikea Winter Carnival looks like a fun stop.

Build and Grow Clinic with Lowe's makes me wish I was 5!

Don't forget to check out The Home Depot, they have great kid workshops too!


A few more ideas:

Don't skip the library! they always have some awesomeness up their sleeve, a few require registration which you can do online.

Maybe you want to go to the Irish Parade?

Chapter's is a quick and fun stop for my kids, let them play or join in the activities offered. You might even get to sit and enjoy a cup of tea as you watch them! Doesn't that sound lovely!!?

Get a free week pass from your library for a local museum or go on Thursday evening which is free.

Enjoy a movie, a few theaters offer toonie entrances for kids in the morning and weekends, call your nearest cinema and ask.

Go to your local community center for a splash in their pool if they have one, I know my local recreation center is from FREE to $4.00 per visit.

Visit the peace tower or go for a tour for absolutely FREE, my kids (2 & 5 yrs old) LOVE going to the peace tower and learning a little bit of history on each visit.

There is plenty more to do this March break with your kids it's up to you to devote a little time and do the research but I hope my personal research shared above has helped you.


Fun at home

Now for my favorite part: FUN at home!! I love going out in the mornings and being active with my kids but for those hours that we do spend at home I try to have a game plan. I am so excited for March break, I love having all the extra time with my dd, here are a few ideas guaranteed to be fun and keep you or them busy for hours!

Scholar's choice is always a favourite for us, you can get all sorts of games, puzzles, toys, educational activities and MUCH more!

Chapter's Downtown Rideau has amazing sales from their Christmas surplus, lots of little activities in a box to do at home together.

Baking, this is so much fun for kids! Let them make a mess, why not!? It can be very inexpensive, you can find all the ingredients and necessities at the dollar store or bulk-barn.

Painting, make a family event out of it, most recently my kids and I made a painting of a tree and than covered our hands in a different color each and placed it on the tree for the leaves, it was messy and took a few tries for the baby, but boy was it fun and an awesome bonding experience.

Arts and crafts, you can find great stuff at dollarama or search online for ideas. (foot tracing, feather painting, straw painting, finger painting, book mark designing, pencil holder making, etc)

Go outside and make a fort, snow angels
!
(color them by mixing food coloring and water in spray bottles.
)

Pizza & movie date night- pick out a movie from the library, buy ingredients at the grocery store and make your own pizza TOGETHER!

Hide and seek! the most fun game ever. My children love playing this with their grandpa and it's now my favorite game to play while i am getting ready for my day, I count as I do my makeup, get dressed or prepare meals; I take breaks in between to find them and do that until I am ready and all the chores are done.

Make music, let them use your pots and pans, boxes, water bottles etc etc and CREATE!

Have a dance party!! turn on the radio and let go.

Basket ball - grab a box, a clothing hamper, a plastic container, anything and roll up pieces of paper or find a bouncy ball and have fun making scores.

Make a book - example: my little guy love's anything with wheels, so I am thinking of looking through magazines and newspapers, cutting them out and gluing them on construction sheets to create our very own "things that go" book. You can do this with any subject for older kids too. Cutting and gluing is actually a fun activity for kids. The best part is that they are doing this with YOU.

Hope those inspire you, always keep in mind that it's not what you do that matters to kids it's that you are doing them TOGETHER. Kids won't remember the extravagant outings or gifts, what they will remember and appreciate the most is the moments! Make the moments count, put your cell phone aside, turn the television off, and BOND.

Have a blessed and safe March break, and always stay fresh!

XOXO,
Ana

(image in this post is not my property borrowed from google )