It's Cheap as Long as you Remember to Bring the Books Back on Time: Frugal Family

Keeping kids busy is a bigger challenge than most moms probably ever thought.

One thing for sure is that there is no way to be able to pay for all the fun things we want to do with our kids. Each week we are going to talk about something within driving distance of Shorewood that moms – and dads and grandparents – can do with children of all ages. We are talking about good fun on a budget. 

One of the best places to find ways to occupy children for free is the public library. The Shorewood-Troy Library does not disappoint.

Every week, kids from zero to five have age-appropriate story time. For infants and toddlers under 2, go to Lapsit Storytime Wednesdays at 10 a.m. for a half hour. The storytime for all the other children is 40 minutes.

Toddlers 2 to 4 have storytime on Tuesdays at 11 a.m., and again at 1:30 p.m. Older young-ins 4 and 5 have their own special time on Mondays at 11 a.m. and Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. The books read on Fridays include a wider age range. Children from 3 to 6 can join at 11 a.m.

It is never too early to get kids exposed to the love of learning through books. An extra bonus of these kinds of group readings is that children learn many of the other necessary skills they will need for kindergarden. Little ones learn how to sit in a circle, to listen to a teacher and to act in groups with other children. 

To take advantage of this frugal family idea, go to the Shorewood-Troy Public Library, 650 Deerwood Drive in Shorewood. If you have any questions, call the specially dedicated youth services line at 815-725-4368.