What are some low cost activities you do that get your kids out of the house and around other people?

Right now we can't afford dance, or music programs, and things it seems like a lot of other homeschoolers are doing. Our girl scout program is not very active right now. But I'd like to have something for them to get out and do.

ideas?

Does your rec department offer anything?
Joseph takes a Jr. Master Gardening class that costs $7 for the 6 weeks of classes.
What about volunteering? I don't know how old your kids are....that might hold you up a little bit.

Library story times?

Nature hikes? I take my kids out and give them each a backpack with a pad, pencil and crayons in it and we stop and draw things. It is a very peaceful calm thing to do and it really gets them looking at what is around them.

We're about 30 miles from civilization. When you finally get to civilization it's teeny tiny little towns that you can't blink when you go thru or you miss them. That's one of the obstacles, we are geographically isolated from the rest of the world. We go to a large town about once every couple weeks for allergy shots and shopping, and I'd like to be able to plan something once or twice a month that they could get out and do while were out anyhow.

We don't have a rec dept. My BIL was telling me about the one in San Diego where his kids take cooking classes and things like that. They sound great.

I've never thought about volunteering. They are 6 (soon to be 7) and 8. Is there anything kids their age can volunteer for?

The library in the immediate area doesn't offer anything right now. The main branch does, but it's on a day when I'm not able to go to town.

We do nature hikes in the woods behind our house everyso often too. So many opportunites to learn there.

They are about the same age as my kids. The opportunities ARE limited, but I am SURE that an activities director at a nursing home would LOVE to see you guys. They could bring cookies they baked or read stories to the residents.
When they are a little older they could volunteer at things like animal shelters or zoos.

We have a Nature Museum near us that allows kids to do service projects. We are planning on doing that.

We actually have an organization started by a mom in our area to give kids age 2-elementary age opportunities to volunteer. My kids have really enjoyed that. Welcome Page (http://www.smallchangedallas.org)

I get emails from a local homeschool group (I have yet to meet) and I noticed on Saturdays they go to Lowes for a kids hands-on project the store offers. I think it's free. Also, 4-H is big here. My dd is waiting to turn nine so she can join. Our oldest two kids play baseball through the rec dept and my dd goes to girlscouts. That's about it right now. I don't like to stay too busy driving all over town.