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Create meaningful family memories without spending a dime
By Katharine Coggeshall
As a mother of four, I can tell you that raising kids is an adventure that’s equal parts heartwarming and wallet-emptying. When I had my first baby at age 23, I swear my credit card needed a fire extinguisher after all the swiping I did that first year. Babies may be tiny, but their price tags sure aren’t.
“Give it time,” I told myself, “and the costs won’t be so significant.”
Fast-forward to the present, and three out of my four children are teenagers. You guessed it—the costs have only multiplied. I often look back at my younger self and laugh at my naivete, but who would have expected all this compounding inflation, high childcare costs, and paying $20 for a carton of eggs?
I can’t do much about the state of the economy, but I did become savvy in parenting techniques that emphasize frugality and fostering connection over material goods. Now that my fourth child is a toddler, I have a solid repertoire of activities that are cost-free and, even better, mess-free.
As parents, we get bombarded with advertisements for toys, high-tech gadgets, and outings that cost at least $25 a head. It can be easy to think we need these things to entertain our little ones, when in reality, we don’t.
Toddlers want your most valuable resource—attention. They want you to experience the world with them using your five senses, and that doesn’t cost a dime. It just takes an idea.
Over the years, I’ve honed my toddler activities through trial and error. I can attest that parenting is like any skill; it takes practice. My list of fun and free activities has grown steadily, and I’ve captured over 50 of them in my published activity book, The Mommy and Toddler Activity Book, which is currently available on Amazon.
Courtesy image: “The Mommy and Toddler Activity Book” is available for purchase on Amazon and includes bonus coloring pages.
I’ve hand-picked five no-cost ideas for you to try with your toddler today.
- Picnic
Tell your toddler, “Today we are having a picnic.” Gather a blanket, a snack, and a few stuffed animals. Then, take your toddler to a grassy area or a park. Let your little one help you set everything up and serve the snack. This simple activity fosters a sense of adventure and creates a perfect setting for quality bonding time. In Santa Fe, we love SWAN park for picnics because we can watch the neighborhood dogs running around, play on the playground, and climb on the exercise court. However, we have also had plenty of successful picnics in our backyard.
Picnics encourage toddlers to explore nature. The outdoor setting provides an opportunity to talk about the different textures, smells, and sounds you both see.
- Pretend firefighters
Pretend that you and your toddler are firefighters who need to inspect all the fire hydrants in the neighborhood. Find the fire hydrant closest to your home, pretend to inspect it, and then race to the next one. Pretending to be firefighters not only sparks imagination but also encourages physical activity and teamwork. This game has rescued me many times when I had a grumpy toddler who only wanted to be carried.
Pretend play is essential for toddlers as it helps develop their social skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. With just a little imagination, you can transform any neighborhood walk into an adventure.
- Cloud shapes
Clouds are always moving and changing, their shapes morphing into different forms. Ask your toddler to look up at the clouds with you. Point to a cloud and describe what you think it resembles—an animal, a vehicle, or a person. Encourage your toddler to do the same. This activity helps develop their observational skills and creativity. We are lucky to live in a state with such beautiful skies, landscapes, and sunsets. Why not call attention to one of New Mexico’s best assets? Plus, every so often you will spot some hot air balloons too.
Cloud watching also provides an opportunity to discuss the weather, seasons, and the natural world around you. As your child gets older, this activity can become more educational.
- Recycled crayons
Gather your child’s broken crayons. After removing the outer paper, let your toddler arrange the broken pieces into a muffin pan, filling each circle at least half full. Then, bake the crayons for 15 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Once cooled, let your toddler color with the recycled crayons they helped to make. This activity is great for showing your kids there is new life that can be found in old materials.
The beauty of this activity is twofold: it encourages creativity and teaches the value of reusing and recycling. You can experiment with creating different color patterns or mixing various colors. Afterward, your toddler will have a unique set of crayons to enjoy.
- Nursery rhymes
Singing classic nursery rhymes enhances your toddler’s memory, listening skills, and language development. Teach your child songs like the “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” “London Bridge,” and “The Wheels on the Bus.” I often make up my own lyrics to these tunes to personalize them or add some fun. We sing in the car instead of listening to the radio, and it has become a cherished pastime for all of my kids.
Singing not only helps with language skills but also boosts your child’s confidence. It’s a simple activity that can fit into daily routines, whether you’re on a walk, in the car, or winding down before bed. And don’t worry if you don’t have the best singing voice—your toddler will love it either way.
Courtesy photo: Katharine Coggeshall.
These five no-cost ideas will help you create meaningful memories with your child, without costing you a fortune. Parenting doesn’t have to be about spending money—it’s about spending time, nurturing curiosity, and building a bond. From picnics to pretend play, these simple activities foster creativity, physical activity, and meaningful connection. As you incorporate these ideas into your routine, you’ll find that the best moments often happen when you least expect them—and that’s priceless.
The joy of spending time with your toddler is immeasurable. So, put away your credit card and get creative with these no-cost activities. Your little one will appreciate the effort, and you’ll be building memories that last a lifetime, all without spending a single penny.
Katharine Coggeshall is the author of The Mommy and Toddler Activity Book. She lives in Santa Fe with her husband and four children.
