by Nicole Loughan

Going out with kids costs money and the meter starts running the moment you leave your house. One of the best ways to entertain your kids is to take them to a park, which is completely free. The park is great but you can bump it up a notch by pairing it with a meal, ice cream, rides or gardens for a full $10 day out. To keep the prices cheap there are two things to do before you even think of walking out that door: first, check the website of the place you are going for coupons or discounts, then go to Facebook and like the pages of the places you want to go, often times they send unannounced coupons and deal to those on their mailing lists. Once you have coupons in hand try some of these ideas to have a great $10 day out.

Pick a place to eat:

Lunch for three for $6.50 – We love pizza by the slice places .Most parlors offer a slice for around $3 plus tax. For me and two kids we get two slices and split them up. To keep the cost down I pack milks and squeeze fruits and so far no restaurant has given me the boot for taking this liberty. Most, including Jules Thin Crust in Doylestown even put out readily available water so you don’t have to buy a drink.

Frozen treats – There is a glut of frozen yogurt places out there and each and every one of them are vying for your dollars. Because of this I have been able to find a coupon for $2.00 off my frozen yogurt purchases, free ounces or 20% off at almost anyplace out there. Some places in Bucks County like Swedes, offers coupons on their website, others like the Yogo Factory in Doylestown offer discounts for liking and checking their Facebook page. I have gotten a fro-yo big enough to share for around $5.00. Watch out they charge by the ounce, so make sure you are paying attention to weight.

Pair one of your dining out options with one of these outings and you are ready for a $10 day.

Ala Carte play place – There are several indoor play places that offer a full day of fun if you buy a wrist band or all day pass. These passes can be upwards of $12. Most young children play for only an hour then tucker out, so rather than buy an entire day pass I purchase just one or two things. For example, at Giggleberry Fair in Peddler’s Village, located at 5800 York Road in Lahaska, I go on Tuesday when The Mountain playroom is free then buy a carousel ride for my older child for $2.50.

Flower gardens – Most counties have a flower garden, either run by the county, non-profit agency or local universities. Some are free, such as the garden at Bucks County Community College. Most gardens are reasonably priced with steep discounts for children. One such place is Bowman’s Flower Preserve, located at 1635 River Road in New Hope, which is free for children under four and $5.00 for adults.

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