is it challenging to find fun things to do where you live as a family?

we do find it somewhat challenging and have to get very creative at times. there are just not alot of things here like a larger city has.

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Sometimes it is challenging since everything is so expensive. Location is definitely not a problem to find things to do.

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We're fortunate to live in an area where there are lots of free festivals (as well as several rather expensive ones), and opportunities to see concerts and plays for free by volunteering to usher for them.
Also, the community and university theaters here have pay-what-you-can night. It's the night of final dress and tech rehearsal and it gives the actors a chance to try the show out in front of a test audience before opening night, plus allows people who would like to see the show but can't afford full ticket price to come.
We also have lots of parks and lakes nearby, so there's always the option of a picnic, as long as the weather co-operates.
Our public library system sponsors all sorts of arts events for adults, kids, and families that are free or very cheap.

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This is our situation too. Here in town there isnt much-a few parks and a nice Rec center but we are not members. It costs $3 per person go to swimming.
Next town over has a new waterpark (just opening this summer), city park (really nice) and a fish hatchery-you can go feed the fish and ducks for a few bucks.
Now about an hour away there is tons of stuff to do, but driving over and back all the time costs lots of money.

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Well I'm one of the ones that live in a suburb of a large city and we always had tons of things to do. We have a Children's Museum that Family Fun picked as a Top 10 thing to do with kids before. We also have a nice zoo and Connor Prairie which is a historical reenactment area with lots of things for kids to do. We always had membershipe to at least one and usually at least two of them at a time and so we went to each of those numerous times during the year. Our state museum USED to be free when my children were smaller and we went there, but it has started charging admission. We did buy a membership there when the Lord of the Rings exhibit was there.

We also have lots of really nice parks and they provide summer free musical concerts etc for kids.

Just lots to do!! It would be hard if you lived in an area without any amenities. My girlfriends and I usually took our kids somewhere several times a week. I'd have missed that if it hadn't been available.

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Fortunately there are many options available to us including The Science Station, Bever Park Zoo, 3 libraries to pick from for free events, free concerts in the park, plus we can walk to one park, farmer's market and a pool. We also have a nice bike trail and nature center.

While there isn't much in our little town (we are very rural), we do have a very nice park.

My parents live 30 miles away, and are less than a mile from a very nice beach. That town has festivals and parks, ice -skating in the winter and free beaches in the summer.

Every year, we make plans to drive there at least twice per week, to enjoy the things the city offers, plus we get to visit with my parents.

There are also 4 towns within 15 minutes of our little town, and they all have parks and various festivals through the summer that we attend for free.

We have a group of moms that get together once a week each summer at one of the local parks (local being within 15 minutes). We pick a different park each week, pack a picnic, and chat with friends all afternoon. It's a nice, free (except for gas costs) time for everybody, and it gives the kids a chance to play with friends.

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We live 45min away from Dayton, 1 or so from Cincinnati and 2 hrs. away from Columbus and not too far from Indy..Lots of zoos, museums, parks, aquariums etc. Sometimes you can get discounted tickets from Kroger or AAA with membership. Loved the Children's Museum in Indy when I was a kid, looking forward to taking my son there now that he has a better attention span!

We're very fortunate to live in a smaller area, that has a lot to do but also close to larger cities which really expands our options.

[quote=kawelch;953489Loved the Children's Museum in Indy when I was a kid, l![/QUOTE]

That's the museum I was saying we had a membership to for probably 10 years in a row. It IS great isn't it?!?!?

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