It has been a pretty chilly last few weeks here in South Georgia, and if Punxsutawney Phil is to be believed, we still have a chilly six weeks ahead of us. If you’re not a fan of the cold but are still looking for something fun to do with your child, this list is for you! We’ve put together some ideas that are free or cheap that you do in the warmth of the indoors.
Visit an indoor playground (varies)
Want the kids to get some energy out, but not ready to brave the cold for time at the park? Don’t worry, we have several indoor playgrounds here in Tifton! While there are a couple options that you have to pay for and several fast-food options where the playground is for customers, there is also one indoor playground that is completely free. You can find our full list of indoor playground options here.
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Visit a pet store (free)
Another fun thing you can do with your kids inside that doesn’t cost a lot of money (unless your kids talk you into actually buying a pet) is visiting the pet store. In Tifton, we have PetSense and Tifton Pet Center, and both usually have a variety of animals to see, although Tifton Pet Center usually has a larger selection. You can also try buying some treats or donations for our local animal shelter and handing them out as well, although of course that option wouldn’t be totally free.
Visit the library (free)
One thing our family loves to do whatever the weather is to visit our local library. We know the library is a great place to check out books, but there is also so much more. There are computers, toys, a sensory area, crafts and coloring sheets, DVDs and audiobooks, and free programs. Our family loves going there to check out a few books, read while we’re there, play in the sensory area, color a few pictures, and attend some fun programs. If you’re interested in learning more about what our library has to offer, you can find that here. You can also view their program calendar for the month of February here.
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Visit the mall (varies)
While you might not immediately think of the mall as a place to go as a family, especially one that is low-cost, that’s not entirely true. If you’re looking for a place to walk, you can load up your stroller and walk around the inside of the building. While you’re there, your child can also play on the little rides they have there. If they’re really young, they’ll have a blast without you even putting any change in, but even if they aren’t fooled by that anymore, a few dollars for a few rides isn’t a bad trade. If you’re not worried about keeping costs low, you can also check out the indoor play area in the mall or of course go shopping with the kids in tow too.
Visit a thrift store.
I don’t know about y’all, but this Mama loves a good thrift store run. While this isn’t entirely free, you can do it without spending too much money. We do a lot of thrifted items around the house (they’re so much more unique than what you can find new), and thrifted toys and clothes because they’re just so much cheaper. And while sometimes I do like going to the thrift store alone, it can be fun to bring the kids along too, especially if you’re looking for a way to get out of the house without spending a lot of time outside because of the cold. And the kids love it too. My four-year-old especially loves looking for certain things and playing with the toys while I browse nearby. While most people know about Goodwill, I really love some of our local thrift stores instead because they’re usually less crowded and the prices are way better. You can find our list of secondhand stores here.
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Tifton Moms is a resource dedicated to the moms and families of Tifton, Georgia and beyond to help them find the information they need about events in Tifton and Southwest Georgia, resources in Tifton and beyond, educational tips, and so much more. We are passionate about all things parenting and our community, and we want to connect you to relevant resources, local businesses, can’t miss events,, and each other! Find more helpful articles at https://tiftonmoms.com/blog/.
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