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Having Fun W/ Your Toddlers For 0 Dollars:

One of the things about living in Small Town, USA, especially when it comes to raising little ones, is that there isn't much to see or do in Small Town, and most of the time this forces us to venture out of Small Town, in to bigger Small Towns to visit theme parks, movie theatres, and large shopping malls, all of which involve spending hard earned cheddar.

In this post, I decided to share some of my favorite pastimes I enjoy with my little ones, all of which involve spending zero dollars on tickets, wristbands, hand stamps or admissions passes. Check out my list below:

(1) Lake Watching

One thing I admire the most about toddlers and infants is that they are able to find the most enjoyment out of the littlest things in life, one skill I aspire to someday pick up as an adult. This activity essentially involves taking a trip to the lake, maybe grabbing a few fishing rods, and watching mother nature at work. I like to use every opportunity I can as a learning experience for my children, so this is a great time to teach your little one new words such as pier, kayak, etc.

(2) Color Walks

Some of the first words toddlers and infants learn to mimick, besides Mami and boo boo, are their colors. Not all Small Towns have historic neighborhoods with brightly painted houses like mines, However, that doesn't mean that there aren't any colorful objects, such as trucks, plants, flowers, and animals, that can be used to point out colors, as well as to build interest in your surroundings, wether it be a new part of town you don't usually travel through, or a cool trail you found near your house that has a bunch of oddly colored wild flowers along it.

(3) Window Shopping

This activity is one that has been passed down through generations in my family, my Dad with his Dad, Me with my Dad, and now my sons with Me. I live in a very artsy small town, so there are a lot of galleries and antique shops near our Main Street. Seeing something they've never seen before will always fascinate your little one, whether it's a yellow, square-shaped leaf on the sidewalk, or a cool looking sign from the 1960's hanging in a storefront window.

(4) Club Haus/ Club Khar

If your kids are anything like mine, you'll know that those little guys don't have a chill bone in them. One way I like to burn off all of that built up energy they have before bed time or midday or whenever, is to have a dance party. Turn on their favorite cartoon's theme song, move around the furniture and get the party started. I am all about after parties, so whenever I know my kids are hyped, and there's no coming down for them any time soon, I move the party to the car. If you ever have a problem with your toddlers going to sleep on time, the car and loud music will be your best friend. Believe it or not, loud music in a confined space such as a car seat or a bed, actually relaxes the body and mind.

This list isn't a complete list, but these are a few of my favorites I wanted to share. I would love to hear some of yours.