where is a good place to take kids on the weekend. free?
459679
Take 'em fishing. You can do that in every state. It is fun to mess around near the water. If you don't know how to do it, it is not hard to find someone who would like to teach you. It might not be exactly free, but it is pretty close. \n\nHint: Take away the X-box for about a week before hand and turn off the TV and computer. That will get them softened up a bit.
1057924
Adults only please.\n\nYou might also include information on a babysitter you know of who would watch the children of friends/family travelling from out of town who may need someone.
663738
DAY CARE CENTER , SUMMER CAMP OR SUPER MARKET
938865
The YMCA has a very affordable summer program.  Also remember that many churches have Vacation Bible Schools for 1 or 2 weeks during the summer and these programs are usually free.  Also, don't rule out shipping your child out for vacation with family that lives out of town.  This is a great life experience  for the child and really help with maturity issues.  Also, neighbors who have children in the same school and who have someone at home to watch the children after school are a good idea.   Just offer them a little money for the service.  Get to know them well so that you know their lifestyle.\n\nThink outside the box the program does not have to be for the whole summer period, but you can mix and match different ideas.
1166450
Go into the Library up by the town hall. They have loads of stuff for you to look up. It's all free and the staff are great. Love Birmingham. Enjoy
993622
Try a little-kid gym.  They usually run the kids ragged for an hour, then retire to the cake and ice cream room.  My granddaughter wouldn't dream of going anywhere else!
669127
Come to the Scenic City... Chattanooga TN!! We've got all sorts of cool stuff for the kids... Rock City, Ruby Falls, The Incline (world's steepest railway) The Tennessee Aquarium (very cool) The creative discovery museum, and tons more. Check it out:\n\nhttp://travel.away.com/Tennessee/travel-vacation-11-2444-Chattanooga.html
445219
http://www.montreal.com/tourism/kids.html\n\ncheck this site out maybe you'll find what you're looking for
162741
Well, any decent sized town should have a church or non-church based day-care or preschool.  If your kid(s) are school aged, consider hitting up a neighbor with whom you and your child are both familiar.
150053
Try Balboa Park. It's Beautiful! And it's free. Also if you need San Diego Coupons go to http://www.californiafreebies.com/travelfreebies.htm
1032009
Ask your child what THEY want to do.... There are cheap things like a community pool, museums, $1 movies... and there are free things like parks, library etc.  Just be sure to ask, because at 8 yrs old they should have MAJOR input on what to do for the summer and it makes ANYTHING more exciting when they get to pick.
768653
Dave & Busters is a good place. Good food and lots of fun. Go there.
259467
Go for a walk, visit a park, go to the zoo (some are free)
94449
You could:\n\n- go out to lunch or dinner with your family/friends\n- go out to brunch (if on Sunday morning)\n- go clubbing with your friends\n- go to a family fun center with your friends (don't deny that you're still a child at heart =p)\n- go to the beach with your friends\n- rent out the neighborhood clubhouse for your family and friends
887535
Try contacting some of the children's charities and ask them if they know of any drop-in centres for teenagers who might be looking for volunteers
21466
Assuming the kids are 3 to 5 years of age I suggest that you visit your local public library. In addition to borrowing books, they may have scheduled book readings, plays and children's movie viewings. You would be wise to call ahead to see what they offer and if they have other neighborhood  activity suggestions.  Chances are they will.
126188
ok -- I am an AZ native & my family didn't always have a whole lot of money to do the "conventional" activities very often...\nSometimes we would go to my Grandma's house for "art lessons" during the summer.  Once, she taught us about using "textures" by simply giving us crayons with the paper peeled off & sent us on a mission inside & outside around the house to do "rubbings" of vents, wood-siding, doors, etc. that we were to somehow put together in an artistic picture book.  It was really fun & a great way to learn about art...\n\nAnother 'cheap' way to entertain kids is rock-hounding. Arizona has tons of great places to go & walk around collecting beautiful stones/minerals/crystals -- of course not all kids are into rocks but for others, it is entirely fascinating.\n\nThen, of course, there's always the library...\nHere's the link to the ones located in Mesa.\n\nhttp://www.mesalibrary.org/kids/default.asp\n\n*A quick search of the City of Phoenix website should turn up the local library for your area.\n\nAs an alternative to spending a ton of money on crowded, over-priced waterparks - nothing like a strategically placed water hose to "run through" when it's hot outside.  (At least, that's what my parents led us to believe -- I've seen the slides - they were definitely lying -- but we didn't know that back then)\nEven better - get a 'Slip-N-Slide' or something like that.  They also have kiddie pools that you can hook up a hose that sprays water over pool/kids.\n\nOh - by the way -- don't knock the "park" suggestions, sometimes a park can be a great way to have fun.  You just gotta be willing to look at it thru the kid's eyes. Bring water balloons, squirt guns, bread for ducks, sunscreen, a blanket, wipes, balls, frisbees, kites, whatever your family is into....  Remember - a park is always FREE.  (and you can't beat that).\n\nJust some ideas to mull over -- good luck to you.   \n\n*PS* Don't forget to check your local parks service, city/state website & some of the usual tourist-type sites - they sometimes run specials in the summer because it's the "off" season.  (Not necessarily FREE but cheaper than usual anyways)  \n\nHave fun!!!\n\n~mishel  =P\n\nOther great ideas found below: