Winter is definitely officially here with snow on the ground and temperatures in the low to mid 30′s.  This is a great time of year to enjoy indoor activities and some outdoor activities with the family and I have some fun and entertaining FREE Cape Cod activities listed below.  I searched the internet for FREE things to do with the kids on the Cape this time of year and came up with a good list.  I will most definitely be taking my kids to do some of the activities listed.

One of the things I love to do with my two girls is to take them to the local libraries.  I do this any time of year, and especially if they have been stuck in the house for days and need to get out and play.  I live in Eastham and the Eastham Library, though very small, has an excellent area for kids.  They have many great toys including a doll house, a kitchen, a puppet theater, not to mention all of the great books to read.  I also like to go to the Wellfleet Library, they have a very large kids area with lots of great activities available such as coloring, learning activities, great books and a train table.  Check out your local libraries and see if you have a kids section, it is well worth the trip and best of all it is FREE.

10 FREE things to do on CAPE COD in the winter

1. Visit your local Library.  Enjoy some great books and play with their toys.

2. Visit the The Porter Thermometer Museum in onset.  They have over 4,100 thermometers ranging from earring thermometers to fish thermometers.  Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. Location: 49 Zarahemla Rd, Onset, MA  Phone: 508-295-5504

3.  Play some chess against other kids the same age (ages 7 and up) at the Hyannis Public Library.  The Children’s Chess Club meets every Wednesday at 4pm.  You can bring your own chess set to share.  The Hyannis Public Library also has Family Board Game Saturdays from 1pm to 4pm every Saturday. They have games, snacks, prizes and fun! Location: 401 Main Street, Hyannis.  Phone: 508-775-2280

4. Contact your towns Recreation Department and ask to be notified of activities.  Our Town has activities each month that the whole family can enjoy.

5. Visit the Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham.  They have exhibits, a bookstore and a theater featuring short local history videos. Location: 50 Nauset Road, Eastham.  Phone: 508-255-3421

6. Go for a trail walk.  Even with snow on the ground this is a fun thing to do with the family.  Find out where your local walking trails are and dress warm.

7. Take a brewery tour.  The Cape Cod Beer brewing company has free tours all year long.  Kids are welcome!  The tour takes about 45 minutes, you get to taste some beer and the kids get to enjoy learning how beer is made and playing with some toys. (This activity is more for the adults, but at least it gets the kids out of the house.) Location: 1336 Phinney’s Lane, Hyannis   Phone: 508-790-4200  Times: 11 am Tuesday, 1pm Saturday.

8. Visit the Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory and take a tour.  Tours are available Monday – Friday from 9am to 5pm.  Not only do you get to see how chips are made, you get a free bag of chips too!  Visit the Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory website and play the Treasure Hunt game and you could win some great prizes. Location: 100 Breed’s Hill Road, Hyannis   Phone: 1-888-881-CHIP

9.  Visit the Woods Hole Science Aquarium.  With about 140 species of marine animals you and your family are sure to enjoy this trip.  Hours of operation are: Monday – Friday 11am to 4pm and Seal feedings are 11am and 4pm.  Visit their website here for more info.  Location: 166 Water Street, Woods Hole

10.  Visit the Cape Cod Times online Things to do section and find activities for today and for the rest of the week.  Website: http://www.capecodonline.com

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Here you will find a nice selection of handpicked frugal crafting and gift ideas for you and your family.  All of the projects that I have listed can be made with kids of all ages.  Kids love to make projects and crafting is a  great way to spend a few hours with your kids to make something fun and useful at the same time.

You do not need to go out and buy all kinds of crafting supplies to have fun with your kids.  All you need to craft is your imagination and some items that you will most likely find right in your house.

I remember doing some of these crafts when I was a kid and how much fun I had.   Luckily you do not have to have a lot of money to craft and have fun.  My daughter loves to show me the craft projects that she does in school with her teachers and I love seeing them every time.  If you have kids, you know what I mean.

Below please find a list of crafts with directions that I have researched and  tried myself.  They are all fun and easy to do. Mother and Kid approved!  Feel free to print the crafts below to use anytime.

Have FUN!

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If you are an avid crafter as I am and you shop at craft stores around Cape Cod you may have shopped at AC Moore in Hyannis. I shop at AC Moore because they have a huge selection of crafting and art supplies and they are the best priced in the Cape Cod area for what they sell. Not only do they have great prices but they also offer 40% off one item when you shop at AC Moore. All you have to do to get this great deal is either: Go right online to the AC Moore coupon page located here and print as many coupons as you need each week, or just ask the cashier when you are checking out to scan a 40% coupon for you.

If you visit the AC Moore website you also can read about what is on sale that month and if they have any other discounts other than the 40% off.

However, what is great about being able to ask the cashier to scan a coupon for you is that if you are in AC Moore and notice you forgot your coupon or just don’t have one, you can still get the discount.

I use a coupon every time I shop, whether I ask a cashier or I have a hard copy in my hand and I have NEVER had a problem. The coupon only is good toward a regularly priced item, no sale items, and is good for ONE item per person. The last time I was in AC Moore I purchased a Crayola Color Wonder coloring book for my daughter which only cost me $4.00 with a 40% off coupon, where in the grocery store and any other store it would have cost me $8-10.00.

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