Traverse City Record-Eagle

Education

July 27, 2009

Sites have ideas for cheap kid fun

Sites have ideas for cheap, free, rainy-day fun

By CODY EWERS

TRAVERSE CITY -- A troublesome thing about kids is their fickle nature with hobbies. How many more years will piano lessons and hockey drills be painful reminders that you have to follow through with your commitments?

For those moms and dads looking to occupy their kids with other activities that don't demand three practices a week, look to the Web for answers. You might find more than enough events to keep you and your little ones busy, while not requiring any stimulus money to participate.

The ultimate local Web destination might be www.traversecitykids.com.

Self-proclaimed as the "Parent's Guide to Traverse City," the site offers links to shopping, arts and culture, sports, seasonal activities and even ideas for rainy days.

If you feel like getting out of Traverse City for a day or two, there are links to nearby cities and local activities once you get there.

One of the most unique resources on www.traversecitykids.com is a section titled, "Daddy Daze," designed specifically with dad-centric activities.

Another online resource is www.momstylenews.com, which offers a list of events either free or under $10 for a family of four to participate.

Angeline Piotrowski started momstylenews.com after her first child turned her into a stay-at-home mom. She saw a need for a resource that would inform communities about free and cheap activities happening in their own backyards.

"There are some people providing services that are free, but they don't have the advertising dollars," Piotrowski said.

Listings include summer reading programs, hayrides and arts and crafts events. The family activities are updated frequently, and most don't require a major commitment of time and money.

"[Momstylenews.com] puts communities in touch with their own free and cheap community services." Piotrowski said.

The Web site boasts 100,000 page views per month and 500 unique visitors a day.

Along with event information the site also has articles for parents about different parenting techniques, recipes and other ideas to entertain children from home.

If you're looking to really tire those rascals out, or if they've outgrown the kindergarten routine of arts and crafts time followed by a juice box and a healthy nap, www.trailscouncil.org is a good destination for trail maps for a family bike ride, roller blade outing or horse ride.

There are printable trail maps, updates and future plans for more than 90 trails in northern Michigan.

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