There are a ton of things to get out and do with your kids. If you're like me and my wife, sometimes you'd really just like to veg out on the couch and watch some TV. This tendency may become the standard, leaving you interacting with your kids less. So, I vote to get up and take your kids out n' about. There's even plenty of free stuff to take your kids to do (like the library). Along the way, I've tried to hit each "right of passage" thing for kids to do, such as a little kid concert (in our case it was Sesame Street Live).

 

If there's something your kid likes that tours the country, I suggest getting on their mailing list so that they email you when they're coming close. Otherwise, they could skip through town and you never know until it's too late! (That happened with me and Yo Gabba Gabba.)

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1st and foremost (this should come with a news feed across the top of the screen!) is the TOTALLY FREE kids workshops at Lowes and Home depot. Home Depot is the 1st Saturday of every month, while Lowes' schedule varies. Kids get to build toys or cute things to give to their parents (especially near holidays) like bird feeders and flower pots, and they get to keep what they make. These things are all made out of wood at both Lowes and Home Depot. The difference between Lowes and Home Depot? When you're finished building at Lowes, you put stickers on your toy/craft. At Home Depot, you PAINT your toy/craft. Either way, you end up with a Fire Truck, Racecar, or Bird Feeder that looks like it was made in what you'd imagine would come out of Santa's Workshop. 

 

Another great spot for free fun is Bass Pro Shop. They always have holiday related fun and activities as well as visits (with free photos) by Santa and the Easter Bunny, and in the summer they have activities like shooting bows and arrow, fishing, and BB guns as well as multiple classes like Car Travel Safety and Fun, Hunting, Archery, Fishing, Camping, and Backyard Adventures.

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Home Depot Kid Workshops, Bass Pro

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Then of course, there's the touring shows I mentioned like Sesame Street Live, Disney on Ice, Yo Gabba Gabba, The Wiggles, Phineas & Ferb, Walking with the Dinosaurs, circuses, fairs, Renaissance Festivals, a Day out with Thomas the Train and so many more. Don't forget children concerts like Laurie Berkner, Justin Roberts and Roger Day.  Kids love concerts where they know the words!

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Many fun activities don't tour like festivals, corn mazes, and theme parks, so you have to be familiar with ones near your geographic area or be willing to take a trip! We're in North Carolina, and there are a couple of really cool ones somewhat close by like "Autumn at Oz" which is a 1 weekend per year Wizard of Oz inspired theme park. Another fun thing nearby, albeit a bit pricey, near Halloween, you can take a train to the Great Pumpkin and meet Peanuts characters. At Christmas, you take the Polar Express and meet Santa!