Fun things to do in the Spring which are free

Make an ice dog for fun!  Saturday chores were being done while the children played out in the garden.  My husband had managed to de-ice the freezer which was beginning to get difficult to close!  So a bucket-full of ice sat in the garden in a bowl...but not for long!  That is what I love about children's creativity: they are brilliant at making things out of whatever is around them.  Felix then comes in to say he would like me to see his ice-sculpture of our dog.  Picture to follow, as we have had trouble uploading the photo of the said ice-dog.  Instead, here is some inspiration for ice sculptures found on google images:

With windy, wet weather like we have been having for most of the months of April and May, our cosy home has felt like the most appealing place to be.  Board games, baking, and getting wrapped up in all-in-ones and wellies for a splash in the puddles have been the main activities for us in the last couple of months.  Looking on the bright side of having miserable weather - I think you tend to spend less on days out!  Gardens, farms and other family-friendly venues are always much better in the sunshine.  Talking about sunshine, it is the beginning of fete season. The weather has only just decided to catch up with the season and give us some sunshine in the last couple of days, but fetes have been happening regardless - "the show must go on in the English countryside".  Although not free, they are often cheap and great days out - lots for the children to do: face painting; lucky dips; bouncy castles and yummy home-baked cakes.  For me and my husband, the highlights have to be the plant stalls and book stalls where we often find a bargain or two.  I went to my first fete of the year a couple of weeks ago with instructions from my husband (who was away) to buy tomato plants.  My attempts to grow them from seed do not seem to have been completely successful - and perhaps were started a bit late!  So, for £3.00 I came home with 2 of the Alicante variety and 4 Moneymaker, plus a handful of books (75p for 3 paperbacks, as I just visited the stall at the right time when everything had been reduced to half-price!)  The children were given some pocket money and spent it on a soft toy each plus a couple of rides.  50p for a dragon seems like a good deal to me!

My inspiration to write this post today was our afternoon activity, over a cup of tea and piece of cake after a breezy walk on the downs with our dog:  we made collages, using today's newspapers, of Chelsea'swin in the final of the Champions' League.  My husband has been a loyal supporter from the age of 6 and has now indoctrinated his children.  I am fighting a losing battle, so I thought at least I could have some input by encouraging a creative activity connected to this big event for all of us!!!!  I quite enjoyed my cutting-up of little pictures, and the children were delighted to have these to stick onto their pieces of card with a glue stick. All for the price of a couple of papers!

Now, with the hot weather finally appearing, "the world is our oyster" with plenty of gardening to do, and more opportunity to enjoy the outdoors!