If you’re like our household, you tend to get a little stir crazy in January after getting used to the “holiday pace” of November and December. On one hand, it’s nice to have a little down time, but on the other hand, we could all benefit from a change of scenery. Here are 5 go-tos that are either free or low-cost to be sensitive to the after-holiday purse tightening too!
Saturday Story Time – This one is so simple but effective. Your kids get to be around other kids and enjoy creative storytelling from new books they may not be familiar with. Plus, who doesn’t love wandering around a local bookstore and discovering new treasures? Pair with a coffee and donut date and you are golden! Check out free story times around the metro.- Home Depot free kid classes on the first Saturday of every month – Hands-on, indoors and learning a new skill together? Sign us up! Home Depot has once a monthly free classes for kids at the store featuring new crafts every month. And for those that might have a little trouble getting out the door on a Saturday morning, they have a wealth of online step-by-step tutorials too!
- Outdoor afternoon – Even though the weather in Oklahoma can be a bit unpredictable (especially in January!), you can at least count on a few hours of sunshine at one point or another. Bundle up and get some fresh air at one of several metro parks! Our personal favorite is Martin Nature Center, or as my son calls it, “Explore Park!”
- Ice skating – There are several indoor rinks around OKC that offer open skate times and rentals for a low cost. No lessons needed, and rest assured, amateur skaters will not be alone on the ice! All levels were spotted on our visit making us feel right at home.
- Mix it up at home – When in doubt, don’t underestimate the power of cushions on the floor with a few balloons to really transform a space. This is something kids of any age should enjoy! Let kids get the wiggles out in a “newly” framed room and watch their imaginations soar. Make a game of hot potato with the balloons, “dunk” them into a “basket” made of pillows, create a fort to dive into, have a “parkour” competition… so many options to keep them engaged, and then ready for naps (and a coffee break for mom and dad)!
Saturday Story Time – This one is so simple but effective. Your kids get to be around other kids and enjoy creative storytelling from new books they may not be familiar with. Plus, who doesn’t love wandering around a local bookstore and discovering new treasures? Pair with a coffee and donut date and you are golden! Check out 
Outdoor afternoon – 
Mix it up at home – When in doubt, don’t underestimate the power of cushions on the floor with a few balloons to really transform a space. This is something kids of any age should enjoy! Let kids get the wiggles out in a “newly” framed room and watch their imaginations soar. Make a game of hot potato with the balloons, “dunk” them into a “basket” made of pillows, create a fort to dive into, have a “parkour” competition… so many options to keep them engaged, and then ready for naps (and a coffee break for mom and dad)!Kirsten Holder is a transplant from Michigan but calls the “land that is grand” her home. She graduated from Oklahoma City University and is passionate about the arts, community development and small business. She is the senior project manager for MetroFamily Magazine, and lives in a historic pocket of OKC with her young kids Jimmy and Millie, and husband Andrew.
