KidsView: Free or Cheap Things to do with Kiddos
By Brandilyn Mitchell
While there are some fabulous parks and playgrounds in Modesto, there are plenty of other free (or cheap!) things you can do with your kiddos that is screen-free. We all know about the Modesto Farmer’s Market which is a great family-friendly outing, and very soon the Modesto Children’s Museum will be open, but what else is there? Oh, so much! I’ve broken these down by “FREE” and “CHEAP” and then by ages. Get scrollin’ and find a new thing to do!
FREE for Toddlers, ages 2 – 5:
Library Story Time or “Toddler Dance & Play”
A plethora of events are held at our local libraries, fun things like LEGO days, STEAM activities, crafts, games days, “Meet the Author”, and even visits from the REPTILE GUY! You don’t need a library card to attend the events, and it’s always free. The Salida Library hosts a family movie night on the 3rd Tuesday. The calendar on the site is updated monthly, and the events are also put in the modestoview.com calendar too!
Zenergy Exercise Class
Hosted by the City of Modesto, this is a beginner class for ages 2-4 for strengthening muscles, stretching, playing games with rhymes and assisting your little ones with coordination and fine motor skills. Promotes relaxation and over all health. This class is held at the Maddox Youth Center. You must register for this free class at Activity Guide | Modesto, CA (modestogov.com). This class is offered year round but each class is 10 weeks in length, and may change times and dates in-between sessions.
Monthly Stanislaus First 5 Sensory Story Time for Tots
Sponsored by Stanislaus First 5, this is held at the John B. Allard Middle School at 3113 Mitchell Ave in Ceres. There is ample space for you and your kiddo(s) to participate in a story time on a yoga mat (provided by First 5 and you get to take it home with you), dance and sing with musical instruments, and play with sensory items like dough, water, sand, etc. Sensory play is any play that engages the senses; and the more senses that are engaged, the more learning takes place. It is a truly fun way to engage your senses through movement and play and connect with your Little in our often busy and hectic schedules. Each sensory experience goes along with the story, and a copy of the book is yours to take home so you can relive the experience as often as you like for open-ended imaginative play with your child. Each child is allowed one parent to attend with them. Why? This hour is designed to create opportunities for the caregiver and child to connect and create moments of healthy attachment. The workshop focuses on the child’s senses to foster social-emotional development, the ability to self-regulate, and create awareness of their bodies and surroundings. Connecting with your child makes them feel safe, heard, and valued, which only deepens their relationship with you. You must call Danyel Davis at 209-238-6725 to RSVP to this free event. If you do not RSVP, there won’t be any supplies for your kiddo. (Please keep in mind they take the month of July off every year.) You can read more about this event here in this article on ”Sensory Story Time Hosted by Sensory Dough by Kelsie and Breathing Through Counseling” here.
Monthly Home Depot Kids Workshop (best for ages 4 and up)
Always the first Saturday of the month from 9am to 12pm, this free class is a come-and-go/complete-at-your-own-pace. When you arrive, you will be given everything you need to build a very cool object, including an adorable little apron for your Little to take home and a pin for them to display on their apron of what they built. This class is my favorite to help introduce everything STEAM to your kid. My daughter loves to build things and has been obsessed with screwdrivers and allen wrenches since she was 2, but this class isn’t fit for all youngins. I think most kids over 4 would enjoy this class, but you know your kid best-you know if they will enjoy it or not. This is a must-do event if you think they can handle themselves around the glue and can take simple directions. If that describes your kid, attend this class, and if it doesn’t sound like your kid, register for a kit to pick up and take home where you can assemble it for your kid at home anyways because all kids should get to enjoy STEAM! Upcoming workshops include a pinball machine and birdhouse! This workshop is at all locations. You have to register for this one as well despite being free.
Weekly Children’s Farmers Market (behind Valley Children’s Hospital)
From May – October on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday from 3pm-7pm.
During the week you can come help on the farm or take your class on a field trip, but Tuesday nights are for selling what you’ve grown or handmade and for people to come hang out! This public event has face painting by @BlackSheepsInk Kristy Moore, and crafts by various artists like rock & flower pot painting. There is often live music and a food truck. And a tire mountain for your kids to play on! There’s also great photo opps with all the animal statues. The farm also offers you-pick flower bouquets. It’s off the street, ample parking, and the area is fenced. It’s a great, safe place to let your kids roam and run around to get their energy out! (There’s also picnic tables and canopies for shade.) For more information visit: https://modestochildrensgarden.com/
3525 Pelandale Ave. Modesto
Imagination Library Free Book Subscription
EVERYONE SHOULD DO THIS ONE! The Imagination Library of Stanislaus County supplies one book a month for your child(ren) from birth to 5 years old. The books are chosen by ongoing parent education about the importance of reading to young children and tips for how best to do so. The Stanislaus County Office of Education’s Charitable Foundation sponsors the library along with Dolly Parton, Kaiser Permanente; and service organizations like Modesto Rotary, Soroptimist clubs, and others; and community donors with a heart for literacy and young children. This is FREE for all children up to age five in Stanislaus County. Register here. (Yes, all children! If you checked a year ago and you got the pop-up “We don’t service your area.” this is wrong AND HAS BEEN UPDATED!) For more information visit: https://imaginationlibrary.com/
Check out a Little Free Library in your area:
Did you know there are 22 Little Free Libraries in Modesto? Feel free to walk to and from if it’s close enough to wear those little tykes out! We particularly enjoy the one at 1004 McGuire Drive, on the corner of McGuire and Surrey. There are always kid’s books in there. When you’ve gotten your mileage from your Imagination Library books, donating them to a Little Free Library or swapping them out at one is a great way to pay the free books forward!
CHEAP for Toddlers, ages 2-6:
Cookie Decorating Kits
Purchase everything you need to decorate cookies in kits from Mocha Magic (Downtown Modesto) or Village Baking (McHenry Village). They are not available year-round, so you must stalk their Facebook pages to see when they are offered. They usually have them for Valentine’s, Mother’s Day & Christmas, but other times throughout the year, too! Mocha Magic does themed ones more often such as ABCs, dinosaurs, flowers, etc. Each cookie kit will be themed and will come with everything you need, icing and sprinkles, too! Turn it into a fun afternoon of learning about colors, textures, culture, fine motor skills, and the best part: it’s all edible! Yum! (Special tip: do this after you have completed a Home Depot or Lowes class so you can use the apron!)
Mocha Magic, 920 16th Street, Modesto, 209-522-8955 (Kits are $15 for 6-8 cookies)
Village Baking, 1700 McHenry Ave, Modesto, 209-522-9057 (Kits are $26 for 10-12 cookies)
Get Air Turlock
A newer trampoline park, and they often host themed Toddler Jumping Sessions, like “Baby Shark”. The toddler time here is $13.99 for one hour or $16.99 for 2 hours. One parent jumps for free, so plan accordingly if more than one are going. Toddler Times occur at the same time as Regular Jumper times but they are separate areas. If you buy online, there is always a deal like 40% off two tickets, which makes this a great deal!
1350 W. Main St, Turlock, 209-286-3751
Play Modesto
Remember Discovery Zone? This is better! This indoor playground is specifically designed for children up to 8 years old! It has slides, a pirate ship, a princess castle, bounce house and so much climbing equipment you will nearly get dizzy looking at it. Even though their hours are strange, they are worth a visit! For only $16.00 for all-day play, two adults are allowed to play for free with each child ticket purchased. (Additional adults are $5.) It also has an infant area to keep the crawlers safe, and crawler tickets are only $9. If you plan your morning accordingly and show up when they open at 9am, staying until noon when they close, this is SO worth $16! Grab some Yogurt Mill afterwards on Pelandale.
For more info: https://playmodesto.com/
3500 Sisk Road, Modesto, 209-543-9184
CHEAP DragonFly Art For Life
Preschool Art Time classes are Fridays, which is a class for preschoolers ages 2-6 years. This is an opportunity for preschoolers to come together and paint, bead, and create in a supportive environment. This introductory fun class allows kids to try out different mediums, learn about art, and get all the sensory input they need! And only $10 a class. Sign up here.
If you have kids older than 5, here are some more FREE OR CHEAP things you might not know about:
FREE Monthly Lowes Kids Build & Grow Workshop (best for ages 5 to 11)
This workshop toggles between the first and second Saturdays of the month from 9am to 12pm, this free class is a come-and-go/complete-at-your-own-pace. When you arrive, you will be given everything you need to build a cool object. This class is geared towards older kiddos, so I recommend this for ages 5 and up. If your 4-year-old likes the Home Depot classes, I think they can handle this class, although they might not be as interested in the items you make until they are older. You never know they might just love it because they made it! Upcoming workshops include a Cardinal Yard Ornament, a pinball machine, a bunny planter and a lawn mower photo frame. You have to register for this one as well despite being free. (This workshop is at all locations.)
FREE Weekly Michael’s Crafts Class
Every Sunday from 2pm-4pm while supplies last. Get there on time to secure your craft-if it is first come first served. These crafts are for older kids with developed fine motor skills. You make jewelry, decoupage, macramé, create cards and picture frames, and even wood burn! This is a GREAT way to help your kid make their family members thoughtful presents throughout the year. For a list of events visit: https://www.michaels.com/instoreevents (This workshop is at all locations.)
FREE Monthly Joann’s Take It & Make It Craft
The first Saturday of the month during store hours, pick up your craft to complete your craft at home. This is a GREAT way to help your kid make their family members thoughtful presents throughout the year. For a list of events: https://www.joann.com/projects-learning/
200 Standiford Ave, Modesto, 209-527-3709
FREE JCPenny’s Kids Zone Craft
This is held on the second Saturday of the month from 11am to 12pm while supplies last. This is a pick-up and take-home event. Get there on time to secure your craft-if it is first come first served and if you are there at 12:01 pm even if they have extras you won’t get your craft. These crafts are for older kids with developed fine motor skills. Your child will also get a free ID badge, lanyard, and collector’s pin, and will receive a Master Medallion once they complete 6 crafts. (Note: When we did this class, we made a penguin pillow. Since the mall opens at 10am, we went to Build-A-Bear first and purchased a recorder box for $9. My daughter sang a song on it, and we put it inside the pillow so that the receiver of the pillow could play her voice whenever they wanted. Feel free to get creative with these kinds of crafts!) Next month’s is making a panda or sloth Valentine’s card! For more info: https://www.jcpenney.com/m/kids-club (This workshop is at all locations.)
CHEAP Black Sheep’s Ink Painting Class (all ages)
This weekly event (Wednesdays from 6pm-8pm) is hosted at MoPRIDE and is put on by Kristy Moore, a multi-media artist and photographer. It’s $15 per kid, but all supplies are yours to take home. This is an all-ages class, though I feel like it is best for kids older than five. They need to be able to handle themselves around paint and water and take simple instructions. Each class focuses on a different theme. You do not need to RSVP, you can simply just show up! For more information or follow Kristy on Instagram: @theblacksheepsink
MoPride: 400 12th St #2, Modesto
CHEAP Dragonfly Tea Room (5 and up)
Each month they feature a special menu alongside their regular lunch menu. This is a dream come true for kids who like to play pretend tea parties! Bring their dream to life! The detail in everything Judy does is phenomenal-the tablecloths, the saucers, the cutlery-you will feel transported to a time when “high tea” was the daily norm. Read more about the Dragonfly in this exclusive article here. You must RSVP for the special monthly tea, but can drop in for lunch or regular tea. $32 for adults, $16 for kids 10 and younger.
https://www.dragonflytearoom.net/
835 W. Roseburg Ave, Modesto, 209-622-0811
CHEAP Happy Artists Create Studio (6 and up)
This one also technically falls under “free” but only one of their events is free-They host a craft booth at the Ripon Farmer’s Market (5pm-8pm) most Thursday night from May – August. They do things like painting canvas, painting rocks, making Chia pet heads-some really fun stuff!
You have a couple cheap options at this kid’s artist studio. The first is “open studio”, which is the idea of free play. Open Studio works like this: reserve your hour-and-a-half session for an unstructured time of making and creating by exploring three “Making Tables” to bead a bracelet or necklace, paint and decorate a wooden project, and make a rainbow keychain! Participants will receive a festive balloon with their *3* finished projects. Yes, 3! What a deal! This is NOT teacher-led. Over the summer this will be Fridays & Saturdays- 90 Minutes is $30.
You can also attend events like “Summer Art Camp”. These are the ultimate creative experience. Enroll your child for a magical, unforgettable week of drawing, painting, weaving, sculpting, making and creating! Young artists will use a wide range of high-quality materials and a beautiful palette of color to create a collection of themed projects in our signature style. They will explore their creativity and learn new techniques, focused on the seven elements of art (line, shape, space, value, form, texture and color). The camps are for children ages 5.5-12 years old. (So great for tweens too!) Artists must have completed kindergarten to attend (no exceptions). Space is limited to 12 artists per camp, so don’t wait to register. Each week is themed, you can register for all the weeks, or just the weeks that interest your child. This is teacher-led.
And they also have monthly pizza & paint nights! Held from 6-8pm. Participants will learn new techniques while painting a fun scene on canvas, and receive 2 slices of cheese pizza, bottle of water and cookie for dinner. They will each bring home their masterpiece and a balloon! This is teacher-led.
*All children must be accompanied by an adult. (Only those creating must register for the open studio, but parents must register for the pizza & paint nights.)*
Happy Artists Create www.happyartistscreate.com
1900 McHenry Avenue Suite 203, Escalon.
For more info email or call hello@happyartistscreate.com (209) 691-6022
*NEW ADDED* CHEAP and FREE for Teens:
Free Library Teen Monthly Book Box
Register for the Library’s teen subscription box for grades 6-12! Each box will contain a handpicked recommendation based on your preferences, treats, and swag. Return the book and box by their due date but keep the treats and swag! Teens can register each month for another exciting box, to be picked up at the Stanislaus County Library location of their choosing. The Google form is updated on the site monthly, and you can access it from the calendar here.
Cheap: Yoga Nights hosted by Stanislaus County’s Youth Empowerment Program (Stan Co YAP)
These yoga nights are not technically free, they accept donations to help cover the cost. So I am considering them “cheap” as you can give just a dollar! Two options every week for your teen to enjoy mindfulness, exercise, movement and meditation. Light refreshments included.
The “Tuesday Night Turndown” is at StudioV Fitness 4459 Spyres Way Suite A in Modesto. Doors open at 6:30pm. class starts at 6:45pm. Register here to reserve your spot, and you choose the date in the drop down calendar.
The “Wellness Wednesday” is at Reform Pilates, 1211 J St, Modesto. Doors open at 6:30pm. class starts at 6:45pm. Register here to reserve your spot, and you choose the date in the drop down calendar.
For an updated calendar all Stan Co YEP events, visit this link here. Most classes are free!
