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Fun and Free Activities to Enjoy with your Kids Year Round! And a GIVEAWAY

October 6, 2016 by Maya Fitz

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When I chose to became a stay-at-home mom, I gave up a few things; One of them being my sanity! Kidding aside, I did forgo my career (although I’ve somewhat started a new one), interacting with adults regularly (thank goodness for the invention of smart phones to keep in touch with the outside world) and my steady income. It was a personal choice that was completely supported and encouraged by my husband but with it came some sacrifices. It meant that I was the sole entertainer for my kids as we would be foregoing putting them in day care and the loss of an income meant that I needed to hone in on my spending.
smart-saver-family-pic-at-beach
While the latter was more difficult as I’m a spender / shopper at heart, finding free and cheap activities for my boys was the easy part. Certainly some activities will always cost money like hockey, swimming lessons and soccer classes, there are a lot of things we do and enjoy that are free. Here are some seasonal and year-round activities that are free.

Free Activities to do with your kids

Library – if you haven’t been to one lately, you don’t know what you’re missing. Libraries are so accommodating for kids and they’re usually sectioned off so you don’t have to “shush” your child every second. They can roam around, explore, take books off the shelves, and of course, enjoy your company while you read to them. We’ve literately spent hours at our local library especially during the winter. Most libraries also offer a variety of free drop-in programs year-round.
Arts and Crafts – It’s amazing what you can get at the dollar store these days. My kids rotate between painting, making bead necklaces, drawing in their colouring books, playing with playdoh and decorating with stickers. It’s great for their fine motor skills and gets their creative juices flowing. These activities are also perfect for a rainy day!
boys-playing-with-playdoh
Skating – This is a favourite family outing for us during the winter! While skates aren’t free, you can buy them second-hand or borrow from family or neighbors. Public outdoor rinks have several times when you can take your kids for a family skate. It’s not only free and fun, but a great way to get outside during the winter.
smartsaver-skating
Tobogganing – There are so many great hills in and around Toronto, you can find just the right one for your child’s age. I remember doing this on repeat as a kid and I look forward to doing it even now as an adult.
smart-saver-tobagoon
Playing in the Snow – building forts, making a snowman and even having a snow-ball fight. On a cold day, play in your backyard so you can run back in quickly to warm up.

Playgrounds – Personally, I prefer the ones that don’t have swings so that I can pretty much sit back and relax, but any park is fun for kids. They can run around, use their imagination and get tons of fresh air. There’s even on park in Toronto (High Park) that has a free zoo. I easily spent an entire summer’s day there! Riverdale Farm, also located in Toronto, is free and has a great wadding pool just outside the farm with a great big green space for playing sports, running around or having a picnic.

smart-saver-playground

Geocaching – if your kids love going on treasure hunts, they will love this activity. Using your smart phone, head outdoors and go treasure hunting! I know this encourages my kids to stay outdoors longer than they would otherwise.
Hiking / Biking – living in the city you wouldn’t think there are too many options to enjoy nature but luckily, living in Toronto, there are tons! Just this past weekend we went hiking and exploring the nearby Evergreen Brickworks. The boys loved exploring, climbing up steep hills and getting dirty! The weekend before we took them on a bike ride along Leslie Street spits. There’s never a shortage of places to explore and have fun in and around the city that are also free. You might just need to do some research and speak to other savvy parents!
smart-saver-brickworks

Put Your Savings in an RESP through SmartSAVER

I hope these ideas free up your wallet so you can put your money to better use, like contributing to a Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs) through SmartSAVER. If you think you won’t be able to make a dent in saving for your child’s post secondary education, think again! The Canada Learning Bond  is a FREE kick-start contribution of up to $2000 into an eligible child’s RESP account.  To date, less than 40% of eligible families have claimed their Bond. That’s over 1.5 million Canadian children who are missing out on the opportunity to have their education savings started with free money. Click HERE to start your RESP today!!

I have to admit that it was easier to decrease our spending and even save when we only had Kyle. With each added child, it became harder as our needs and budgets increased too. However, when we were able to, we always maxed out our children’s yearly RESP contribution and often asked our parents to contribute to the kid’s RESP account in lieu of a birthday gift (especially when they were really young and didn’t really know about presents yet). I’m glad that we took advantage of this when we had the extra savings because I know we won’t be able to max out the contributions every year.
smartsaver-saving-calculator
Thinking ahead, I know it will save us a lot of headaches and stress when we won’t have to worry about where the money will come from to cover the costs of post-secondary education. Less stress for John and I but also less stress for our kids so they can focus and put all of their energy in succeeding at school! They can ‘pay’ us back later by landing an awesome job that makes them happy (and maybe helping us out a little when we’re old wouldn’t be so bad either).

ABOUT SmartSAVER

SmartSAVER is a national charity that makes it easier for modest-income families to save for their kids’ future education using no-fee (RESPs) to access federal government grants including the Canada Learning Bond.

GIVEAWAY

To help you save and spend more time with your kids enjoying one of the many free activities I listed above, I’m giving away a $50 gift card to one lucky reader! Enter the giveaway via Rafflecopter (please give it a few seconds to load).  Contest is open to all residents of Canada.  Contest ends Saturday October 15, 2016

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Disclosure: I received compensation as part of my participation in SmartSAVER back-to-school awareness program. All opinions and stories are my own!

 

 

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Filed Under: Featured, Parenting, Reviews & Giveaways

What Others Are Saying:

  1. Victoria Ess says

    October 6, 2016 at 9:26 am

    I learned that the Canada Learning Bond is a free contribution of up to $2000 into your child’s RESP account!

  2. Krista Miller says

    October 6, 2016 at 9:27 am

    I learned that to date, less than 40% of eligible families have claimed their Bond which is over 1.5 million children who are missing out! And I am one of those families so I better do the application!

  3. Mary says

    October 6, 2016 at 9:30 am

    I learned that they are a national charity that make it easy for lower income families to safe for their child’s education.

  4. Kim K says

    October 6, 2016 at 9:32 am

    I learned that you could get $2000 in free education money in your child’s RESP

  5. jessica eapen says

    October 6, 2016 at 9:43 am

    I learned that the Canada Learning Bond can be a free $2000 into a child’s RESP!

  6. Cloe st-amour says

    October 6, 2016 at 9:46 am

    I learned that you can get $2000 in free education money for your childs RRsP savings.

  7. Florence C says

    October 6, 2016 at 9:48 am

    I read that Canada Learning Bond is a contribution that is paid right into an eligible child’s RESP) even if you don’t contribute any money yourself.

  8. kathy downey says

    October 6, 2016 at 10:29 am

    I learned that to date, less than 40% of eligible families have claimed their Bond which is over 1.5 million children who are missing out….thats shocking

  9. angela m says

    October 6, 2016 at 10:38 am

    I learned that you can get up to $2000 for your child’s education RESP

  10. kathy downey says

    October 6, 2016 at 10:42 am

    I learned from SmartSaver that You don’t have to be an existing customer of any of our financial institution partners to complete the Start My RESP application. You can open an account with any RESP provider to receive the Canada Learning Bond.Thats great information

  11. Tara Betterley says

    October 6, 2016 at 10:44 am

    I learnt that the Canada Learning Bond is only available to children that were born after 2003. So, it doesn’t apply to my children

  12. lisa bolduc says

    October 6, 2016 at 10:58 am

    love you how you get the following

    The money you get for your child could include:
    •$25 to help cover the cost of opening the RESP;
    •$500 to add to the RESP now, to help you start saving early; and
    •an extra $100 each year until the calendar year he or she turns 15, as long as you continue to receive the National Child Benefit Supplement.

  13. Vivian says

    October 6, 2016 at 11:02 am

    I learned The Canada Learning Bond is a FREE kick-start contribution of up to $2000 into an eligible child’s RESP account.

  14. Elizabeth R says

    October 6, 2016 at 11:05 am

    I was surprised to learn that you can get up to $2000 for your RESP.

  15. Ira says

    October 6, 2016 at 11:14 am

    We need to start early! More kids or older kids means less spare money for RESP and less time to manage it.

  16. SweetPanda says

    October 6, 2016 at 11:44 am

    I learned that with my contribution, I can get up to $2000 for my kids’ RESP

  17. Judy Cowan says

    October 6, 2016 at 11:52 am

    I learned that you can get $2000 in free education money in your child’s RESP, I better check and see if my nieces/nephews have this in place.

  18. Andrea says

    October 6, 2016 at 12:50 pm

    I learned that the Canada Learning Bond is a free kick start contribution of up to $2000 into your child’s RESP account!

  19. Donnas says

    October 6, 2016 at 12:55 pm

    I learned that it’s best to start saving early and that I can get up to $2,000 for my child’s education.

  20. Silvia D says

    October 6, 2016 at 1:08 pm

    the Canada Learning Bond of up to a free $2000 into a Child’s RESP

  21. piroska says

    October 6, 2016 at 1:13 pm

    I learned that you can get up to $2,000 towards a child’s education fun (RESP).

  22. Dianne G. says

    October 6, 2016 at 1:14 pm

    I learned that the Canada Learning Bond is a contribution of up to $2000 for an eligible child’s RESP account and it is free. 40% of eligible children have not had this claimed for them.

  23. Amanda says

    October 6, 2016 at 1:39 pm

    Great idea to ask grandparents for contributions to the RESP instead of toys etc.

  24. Jeannie Lam says

    October 6, 2016 at 1:46 pm

    I learned that SmartSaver helps lower income families to save for RESP so their kids have a chance with post secondary education.

  25. Glogirl says

    October 6, 2016 at 1:50 pm

    I learned that the The Canada Learning Bond is a FREE kick-start contribution of up to $2000. That’s a great incentive to start an RESP.

  26. Wendy hutton says

    October 6, 2016 at 2:12 pm

    I learned that they are a national charity that make it easy for lower income families to safe for their child’s education

  27. Pam says

    October 6, 2016 at 2:14 pm

    I learned that less than 40% of eligible families have claimed their Bond, that is a lot of kids without education savings.

  28. nicky says

    October 6, 2016 at 2:38 pm

    I learned that the Canada Learning Bond is a free kick-start contribution of up to $2000 into an eligible child’s RESP account.

  29. Angela September says

    October 6, 2016 at 2:54 pm

    I learned that you can receive a $2000 kick start – which is a huge amount of money! What a fantastic program to encourage people to not delay in opening an RESP

  30. andrea amy (@mommy2fiveboys) says

    October 6, 2016 at 3:13 pm

    I learned that to date, less than 40% of eligible families have claimed their Bond which is over 1.5 million children who are missing out (including my own)

  31. Stephanie LaPlante says

    October 6, 2016 at 3:14 pm

    I learned how simple it is and that it’s FREE!

  32. ivy pluchinsky says

    October 6, 2016 at 3:36 pm

    I learned that to date, less than 40% of eligible families have claimed their Bond

  33. jessica s says

    October 6, 2016 at 3:57 pm

    I learned that the Canada Learning Bond is also good for apprenticeships and trade schools. Good to know!

  34. jan says

    October 6, 2016 at 4:06 pm

    I learned that people actually fail to claim their bond! Amazing.

  35. kristen visser says

    October 6, 2016 at 4:18 pm

    Wow I learned that you can get $2000 in free education money for your childs RESP’s

  36. lyndac1968 says

    October 6, 2016 at 4:41 pm

    I learned with the Canada Learning Bond that an extra $100 will go in each year until the calendar year he or she turns 15, as long as you continue to receive the National Child Benefit Supplement.

  37. lyndac1968 says

    October 6, 2016 at 4:51 pm

    I learned that for Smart Saver you don’t have to be an existing customer of any of their financial institutions

  38. ginette4 says

    October 6, 2016 at 5:01 pm

    I learnt that I can get $2000 in free education money for my child’s RESP – this is amazing!

  39. loucheryl says

    October 6, 2016 at 5:08 pm

    I learned that SmartSAVER is a national charity that makes it easier for modest-income families to save for their kids’ future education using no-fee (RESPs) to access federal government grants including the Canada Learning Bond.

  40. Erinn Lishman says

    October 6, 2016 at 5:11 pm

    I learned that less than 40% of eligible families have claimed their bond- and we are one of those families! Thank you for the helpful information!

  41. Vivian Dionne says

    October 6, 2016 at 6:08 pm

    I did not know the Canadian Learning Bond existed; this is a great program

  42. dave says

    October 6, 2016 at 8:38 pm

    you could get $2000 in free education money in your child’s RESP

  43. Christy eldred says

    October 6, 2016 at 8:50 pm

    I learned that The Canada Learning Bond is a FREE kick-start contribution of up to $2000 into an eligible child’s RESP account

  44. Maria says

    October 6, 2016 at 9:29 pm

    I learned that you could get $2000 in free education money in your child’s RESP, that is awesome

  45. butterflyamyc says

    October 6, 2016 at 9:55 pm

    I learned that you can get a contribution of up to $2000 for your kids education.

  46. Lushka Smith says

    October 6, 2016 at 10:17 pm

    I learned that to get the Canada Learning Bond, you must open an RESP with an RESP provider who offers the Canada Learning Bond

  47. Monique L.S. says

    October 6, 2016 at 10:50 pm

    I learned that to date, less than 40% of eligible families have claimed their Bond. Great if you are able to save any little bit for your child’s education.

  48. sarah alexis says

    October 6, 2016 at 11:14 pm

    I learned how important it is to start saving early and how important it is to learn more about it!

  49. Julie bolduc says

    October 6, 2016 at 11:22 pm

    I learned that they are a national charity that make it easy for lower income families to safe for their child’s education!

  50. Tainan Lu says

    October 7, 2016 at 3:59 am

    I learned that you can get up to $2000 for your child’s education RESP

  51. lori b says

    October 7, 2016 at 7:18 am

    I learned as most above that you can get up to 2000 bucks for your childs education

  52. Soozle says

    October 7, 2016 at 8:02 am

    I learned how simple and quick it is to sign up for RESP!

  53. Anu Chopra says

    October 7, 2016 at 11:58 am

    I learned that the Canada Learning Bond is a FREE kick-start contribution of up to $2000 into an eligible child’s RESP account.

  54. nicky says

    October 7, 2016 at 12:15 pm

    I learned that I don’t have to be an existing customer of any of their financial institution partners to complete the “Start My RESP” application.

  55. Cheryl says

    October 7, 2016 at 2:27 pm

    I learnt it’s really easy and simple to set up an account for your child

  56. Robyn Bellefleur says

    October 7, 2016 at 8:32 pm

    I learned that you could get up to $2000 in free education money in your child’s RESP.

  57. Tina L. says

    October 7, 2016 at 10:00 pm

    I’ve learn that you can get up to $2000 for your RESP.

  58. missbobloblaw says

    October 8, 2016 at 4:07 am

    I’ve learned that you can get a kick-start contribution of up to $2000, & that the calculator feature is really handy!

  59. Victoria Ess says

    October 8, 2016 at 9:42 am

    I learned that less than 40% of eligible families have claimed their Bond to date!

  60. Cheryl says

    October 8, 2016 at 9:49 am

    I learnt that it’s really easily set up online and you don’t have to be a bank customer of that bank to set up a bond with them

  61. Athena says

    October 8, 2016 at 10:18 am

    You can get up to $2000 for your child’s education RESP

  62. Brenda Penton says

    October 8, 2016 at 11:48 am

    I learned that less than 40% of eligible families have claimed their Bond. I honestly thought it would be higher. It is a shame, since it really is a big help the our children’s future.

  63. Jenness M says

    October 8, 2016 at 12:11 pm

    I learned that you can get up to $2,000 for your child’s Registered Education Savings Plan without having to put in any of my own money!

  64. Stephanie says

    October 8, 2016 at 2:30 pm

    I learned that less than 40% of eligible families have claimed their bond, shocking!

  65. Holly MacRitchie says

    October 8, 2016 at 5:06 pm

    I learned that 1.5 million children are missing out on the opportunity on having their education savings started!

  66. Juliee Fitze says

    October 8, 2016 at 5:50 pm

    I learnt that you get free money $25 for opening an RESP, $100 each year added on .

  67. billiondollarprincesss says

    October 8, 2016 at 10:52 pm

    I learned that SmartSAVER is a national charity that makes it easier for modest-income families to save for their kids future education.

  68. sojeles says

    October 9, 2016 at 1:51 am

    I learned that it is free and you can get up to $2000 for your child and that i am missing out on that.

  69. Courtney says

    October 9, 2016 at 7:48 am

    I was surprised to learn that I can get up to $2000 contributed. This is definitely something to think about

  70. aly3360 says

    October 9, 2016 at 8:55 am

    I learned that we could qualify for up to $2000 with the Canada Learning Bond, but first we would need to set up an resp. Luckily it looks fairly easy to set up an resp.

    – amber y

  71. Athena says

    October 9, 2016 at 12:43 pm

    You can get $2000 in free education money in your child’s RESP

  72. Patrick Siu says

    October 9, 2016 at 7:57 pm

    I learned that you could get your child up to $2,000.

  73. loucheryl says

    October 9, 2016 at 8:54 pm

    You can speak with various RESP providers across Canada that will help you get an RESP started with $0: no enrolment fee, no annual fee and no contribution required. COOL!

  74. charityk says

    October 9, 2016 at 10:14 pm

    i learned that it is a charity that helps modest income families save for their kids education

  75. Jacky Y says

    October 10, 2016 at 12:00 am

    I learned that the Canada Learning Bond could get up to a free $2000 into a Child’s RESP

  76. Linda says

    October 10, 2016 at 2:42 am

    I learned that you could get up to $2,000 for your child’s education just by starting an RESP.

  77. Amy Heffernan says

    October 10, 2016 at 12:24 pm

    I learned that SmartSAVER is a national charity that makes it easier for modest-income families to save for their kids’ future education using no-fee!!

  78. erin mcsweeney says

    October 10, 2016 at 4:31 pm

    I LOVE THAT SMARTSAVER HELPS YOU WITH ACCESSING FEDERAL GRANTS

  79. Rebby says

    October 10, 2016 at 8:26 pm

    I learned that SmartSAVER is an easy way for moderate income families to save for their childrens future!

  80. Tracy D says

    October 10, 2016 at 10:14 pm

    Less than 40% of eligible families have claimed their Bond, that’s really too bad. They need more promotion about it.

  81. Yuen C says

    October 10, 2016 at 11:58 pm

    I learned that you can get $2000 in free education money for your child’s RESP!

  82. M says

    October 11, 2016 at 12:10 am

    I learned that you can get up to $2000 towards a child’s RESP

  83. Judy Cowan says

    October 11, 2016 at 8:43 am

    I learned that if you qualify you can get $2000 in free education money in your child’s RESP

  84. Sunshine G says

    October 11, 2016 at 9:36 am

    I didn’t know it went as high as $2000 – that’s great!

  85. Lisa Lundstrom says

    October 11, 2016 at 2:47 pm

    I learned that you could receive $2000 towards your contribution

  86. beewbedard says

    October 11, 2016 at 7:32 pm

    I read that family’s can get up to $2000 for a child’s education RESP

  87. Melinda Jana (@Sukki24) says

    October 11, 2016 at 9:05 pm

    I learned that families are eligible up to $2000 towards their child’s RESP

  88. Sarah De Diego says

    October 12, 2016 at 8:20 am

    I learned that even with a minimal monthly or annual investment, my contribution will compound into a significant amount of money when it’s time for my kids to use it!

    Besos Sarah
    Journeys of The Zoo

  89. Erin W says

    October 12, 2016 at 11:47 am

    I learned that these RESP accounts have no fees, and you can open one with $0

  90. piroska says

    October 12, 2016 at 4:26 pm

    I learned that you can get up to $2,000 to put towards your child’s education.

  91. Joyce S says

    October 12, 2016 at 6:55 pm

    I learned a lot of people are not aware of this program

  92. Soozle says

    October 13, 2016 at 6:42 am

    I learned how easily it is to enroll for an RESP online

  93. sarah alexis says

    October 13, 2016 at 4:16 pm

    I learned that is is worth it becuase you can get $2000 in free education money in your child’s RESP

  94. Jennpup says

    October 13, 2016 at 7:41 pm

    I can’t believe less than 40% of eligible families are taking advantage of the Canada Learning Bond! My kids have over $3500 in their Family RESP and that is entirely CLB. So glad you are spreading the news!

  95. Karla Sceviour says

    October 13, 2016 at 8:08 pm

    I learned that the the Canada Learning Bond is available to children who were born after December 31, 2003 .. My son was born before that,but I know many that have kids born after.

  96. Karla Sceviour says

    October 13, 2016 at 8:32 pm

    I learned from Smartsaver that there is no enrolment fee, no annual fee and no contribution required.

  97. Christine Murray says

    October 14, 2016 at 1:10 pm

    I learned that less than 40% of Canadians take advantage of the Learning Bond and the Bond is a free contribution of $2000 into your child’s RESP.

  98. Krista Miller (@MillerKrazy) says

    October 14, 2016 at 3:33 pm

    I learned that there are no fees, that my child requires a social insurance number, and that I can get up to $2,000 for my child’s education!

  99. favgreen(Rhonda W G.) says

    October 14, 2016 at 6:24 pm

    The Canada Learning Bond is a contribution of up to $2000 for an eligible child’s RESP account for his/her education…

  100. Jeannie Lam says

    October 15, 2016 at 3:30 am

    I learned that the Canada learning bond is a free contribution up to $2000 into your child’s RESP .

  101. Betty S says

    October 15, 2016 at 7:53 am

    I learned that the Canada Learning Bond is a free contribution of up to $2000 into your child’s RESP account, That’s awesome

  102. ivy pluchinsky says

    October 15, 2016 at 11:43 am

    I learned that you could get $2000 in free education money in your child’s RESP

  103. Caryn Coates says

    October 15, 2016 at 2:31 pm

    I learned that you could get $2000 in free education money. Pretty neat!

Trackbacks

  1. #EveryChildAnRESP Mommy Blogger: Fun and Free Activities to Enjoy with your Kids Year Round! – Smartsaver Community says:
    December 1, 2016 at 10:27 am

    […] post was originally published on Mayahood Blog, October 6, 2016, as part of SmartSAVER’s 2016 #EveryChildAnRESP Back to School campaign. We […]

Maya, author of MayaHood Blog

I’m a stay-at-home-mom to three awesome, busy boys. We reside in Toronto and I blog about the ups and downs of parenting, family travels, our favourite products and more.

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