Whether it's a trip to the zoo with the whole family, a day at an amusement park, or a beach vacation: Many family activities can really add up. With the following ideas, you can go a long way even on a small budget.
How about an adventure in the woods? Nature offers plenty of variety: For example, you can balance on tree trunks, spot forest animals and insects, or try to identify bird calls. Even just enjoying nature on a hike with a picnic is a great experience for young and old alike. Experienced adventurers can look for animal tracks or identify trees by their leaves or needles. You can then use the items you find in nature (stones, leaves, pinecones, etc.) to make or paint fun figures at home.
Water holds a great fascination for all children. Whether it’s a local lake, a nearby river, or a small stream: floating sticks or little boats, splashing in the water, throwing stones, or building a dam—the whole family will have fun, and your child will be thrilled. You’ll find plenty of ideas for water games and craft projects—including instructions for a small waterwheel or a play raft—in the child-friendly brochure Visiting Frosch + Co.
A self-organized family gathering in the park offers fun and games with free admission. Invite your mom and dad friends to come to the park with their kids and their favorite toys. Whether it’s ball games, Bobby Car races, or kids’ bocce: Everyone can do whatever they enjoy. Playing and running around together in the fresh air is fun, promotes motor skills, and helps children learn to interact socially. Of course, a picnic is part of the fun—every family can bring something to share.
A bike ride is a great way to get some exercise together and explore further afield. Maybe you have a bike trailer, or know someone who would be willing to lend you one? Depending on the weather, pack a blanket for a picnic, a ball, and a light snack. You’re sure to discover a nice playground along the way where your child can burn off some energy. If you’d like to plan a longer bike ride, you’ll find many bike paths using the NRW Bike Route Planner from the Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Transportation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Is there an interactive farm near you? Maybe one that even offers free activities for kids? If so, it’s definitely worth a visit. Many farms are happy to welcome visitors after you make a reservation and enjoy having guests, especially children. There, you can not only pet cute small animals like rabbits or cats, but also discover goats, sheep, cows, pigs, or donkeys. You might even get to help with feeding, milking, or mucking out. Some farms may also have a barn set up with bales of straw for kids to play around in.
Would you like to give your child cultural experiences from an early age? Even for the youngest children, there’s plenty to discover and explore at many children’s and family museums. Check with museums in your area to find out about free admission days or family programs. A family library card is a great and affordable investment. With it, you can borrow plenty of books for free—both for reading aloud and for independent reading—as well as games for different age groups, audiobooks, and movies.
Children of all ages love to dig in the dirt and watch with great enthusiasm as a seed grows into a plant. If you don’t have a garden, you might be able to set up a small vegetable garden on your balcony. There, you and your kids can plant to your heart’s content—whether it’s strawberries, sunflowers, or fresh herbs. In the process, your child will learn about the cycle of nature and take on responsibility at an early age. As a reward, you’ll get to enjoy delicious fruits you’ve harvested yourselves.
Spending a night in a sleeping bag under the starry sky is a truly special experience for both children and adults. It works just as well on the balcony as it does in the garden!
Eating makes you happy, especially when it’s not at your own table at home. After cooking, the meal is packed up and eaten in an unusual place. Maybe on the sidewalk right in front of the house, at the edge of a field, or in a friend’s treehouse? The more people who join in, the more fun it is!
Start right outside your front door and, at every third intersection, alternate between turning right and then left. Take photos of striking buildings or interesting sights until the predetermined time has elapsed. Who knows where you’ll end up? Back home, put on a slideshow for friends and family and let them guess where you’ve been. Has your sense of adventure been sparked? Then don’t hesitate—just get started!
The holidays are just around the corner, and you’re thinking about taking a vacation? The youth hostels in North Rhine-Westphalia offer affordable deals and exciting experiences for families. They’re often located in scenic regions or serve as ideal starting points for city trips. Many hostels have family rooms equipped with everything you and your kids need. Meals are also provided!
A camping vacation in a tent is a great experience—and a big adventure for kids. And this way of traveling is definitely affordable. First-time campers can often borrow the basic gear from friends and family.
Through the Familienzeit.NRW program, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia supports low-income families in taking a vacation together. Funding is available for stays at selected family vacation resorts. You can find information on eligibility requirements and how to apply in our article on Familienzeit.NRW.
