Inexpensive Outings for Families with Teens

When the kids and I moved back to town after the divorce 7+ years ago, one of my priorities was to get out with them several times a month and do fun things that we hadn't been able to previously. I wanted to expose them to different museums, living history places, festivals and other things that I had enjoyed and also some activities that I had never done but always wanted to. Being on a very limited budget, I actively looked for activities and day trips that we could do, the three of us, for under $10, not including gas, and with the kids being under 12, we did a lot for only the price of 1 adult admission. We also had memberships to the zoo and COSI (Center of Science and Industry in Columbus and Toledo) off and on over the years and took advantage of those along with their reciprocal agreements, visiting zoos and science centers in Cleveland and Cincinnati and Dayton. Many months there were so many things we wanted to do that were affordable (ie, free or really, really cheap!), that we were "on the road" more weekends than not.

This past year our day trips were limited mainly due to the cost of gas. When it costs $40 in gas for a day trip, it doesn't happen very often. But now that gas is much more inexpensive, I really want to get back in the habit of taking a day trip once a month. We seem to be a much happier family when we get out once in a while and do something new together. The challenge: Still trying to stick to a $10 activity budget....WITH TEENS! Once kids hit 13, more often than not, they are charged adult admission to facilities and activities. For example, we like going to the Home and Garden Show in Columbus every February, and the last time we went, a $6 admission would cover me with the kids 12 and under getting in free. Now if we go, it's $30, so we either have to find discount tickets, make it a Mom-and-1-child day or not go at all. I am certain, however, that I can find other activities that will be inexpensive and enjoyable.

Where can I find information on these activities? There are lots of sources!
1. Your local newspapers. Our hometown paper has a weekly calendar of upcoming activities for all interests that it runs every day. The closest big-town paper (The Columbus Dispatch) has a travel section on Sundays and every 3-4 months will run an article on day trips in the state of Ohio. I've cut out many of these articles and filed them away, only to be pulled out later when I am looking for new ideas.
2. The library. If you live in a large city, chances are there is a travel guide for your area that you can check out. Our library also carries regional magazines like Columbus Monthly and the Ohio Magazine that have calendars of activities in them. I have found many ideas for memorable day trips from these calendars, and we've done things we never would have known about if it weren't for the magazines. Your library may also have a board where flyers are posted for various activities. Actually, the library itself is a good idea for an outing. My son loves to spend a couple hours there taking advantage of the WiFi with his Nintendo DS.
3. Your local travel bureau. Pick up brochures about locations you think you'd like to visit. The staff is also very knowledgable about inexpensive day trips in your own city/county. How often have you heard someone say there is a big tourist attraction in their hometown but they have never visited it until they went with someone visiting from out of town?
4. On-line websites and newsletters. Just as you would if you were visiting a new location, sign up for emails from destinations in your home state. I receive a newsletter from http://www.ohiotraveler.com/, and they specialize in promoting free and low-cost activities. Your state Department of Natural Resources can point you in many directions for state parks and activities you might never have thought about. Want to go to a museum or zoo but leary at the price? Sign up for newsletters, and you will get advanced notice of free or discounted days. Some museums also have 1 day a week or a month where there is free admission. For example, Columbus Art Museum offers free admission every Sunday, and the Toledo Museum of Art has free admission every day!

So here is a list of what we will be doing in the coming months for $10 or less: Dude-A-Palooza, a free men's expo at our local fairgrounds - $2 parking; Mohican Wildlife Weekend in May - free with activities at several different wildlife locations approximately 30 minutes from our home (http://www.mohicanwildlifeweekend.com/); hiking down in Hocking Hills - a 2-hour drive but well worth it!; Maple syrup festival at Malabar Farm in March - free - 45 minutes away (http://www.malabarfarm.org/). I am sure we will find other things to do as well, such as spending a Saturday afternoon at the library, activities at our church, attending craft shows and spring festivals. We might even go to a gun show. We may have to pay for my son (usually $5-7), but women and children are usually free, and DS will get to do to a "manly" activity rather than being dragged to "girl things." ;-) (And for the record, no, we don't have guns in the house, but his father did when we were married, and DS has always wanted to go shooting. I am hoping to find a shooting range where you can rent equipment for an hour so I can take him. I like to target shoot myself.) So, there we go. Activities for families with teens that are inexpensive and fun!