Lucy Reflects

A Parent’s Survival Guide to Getting Through the Winter.

As the cold air moves in, parents are cringing over how to keep the kids content and, more importantly, how to keep from going insane, all in a sensible budget. Let’s face it, our motivation is equal to that of a sloth during the winter months and we’re broke from Christmas. Frugal afternoons at the park are few and far between. Because we know how long and exhausting the winter can be, we decided to compose a list of free, low-cost unique ideas to help you get through the cold with kids.

OPEN GYMS

Manor Church, located at 530 Central Manor Road, Lancaster, offers free weekly playtimes in their Open Gym, complete with plenty of riding toys, slides, games - basically an indoor playground – and snack and circle time. There are two sessions each Wednesday, at 9 a.m. and 10:05 a.m. Visit www.manorchurch.org for more information.

Tot Spot is an indoor winter playground located at James Street Mennonite Church (323 West James Street, Lancaster), for children up to 5. Although they require dues for the season, with volunteering, dues are only $50 for the winter, which consists of helping set up and clean up toys. For more information, visit www.totspot.org www.totspot.org.

Pequea Church, 40 Church Road, Lancaster, has free toddler gym for kids three and under every Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m. with games, singing and more. For more information, call 717-872- 5679.

Kangaroo Konnection, a music play group, is held every Thursday from 9:30-11 a.m. in the Worship Center’s kid’s room (2384 New Holland Pike, Lancaster). The play group is free and there is no registration required. Visit www.worshipcenter.org/events for more information.

Fusion Gymnastics (10 Citation Lane, Lititz) has pre-school playtime Friday mornings for only $5. Check it out between 9:30-10:30 a.m. or 10:30-11:30 a.m. Kids up to age 6 are welcome. They also have evening open gym the first Friday of the month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. ($10) when parents can leave their kids with the staff (YAY)! The second Friday of the month is for children age 5-12 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. ($10). Saturday nights from 6-9 p.m. are for school-aged children and include pizza, games and gym time ($15). Visit www.fusion-gymnastics.com for more information.

ART OF RECYCLE

This place is super cool and kudos to the owners who offer this gem of a place to the community. You and your kiddos can spend hours creating treasures at Art of Recycle’s Craft Castle (27 Cloister Avenue, Ephrata), which has FREE crafting for kids of all ages. They are open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Art of Recycle also sells craft items at a very low cost and hosts different workshops for all ages. Visit www.artofrecycle.org for more information or read our article at Lancaster Art of Recycle.

LIBRARY PROGRAMS

We are SO thankful for all the amazing programs and play times our county libraries offer and they are always FREE. Manheim Township Library has story times, Duplo Lego free play (they have TONS of Legos), Market Mondays when the silo transforms into a little market, parachute play and much more. For more information, visit www.mtpl.info. Lancaster Public Library has preschool yoga, story times, teen gaming nights, lap-sit story time and a dog story time, when kids can read to dogs (OMG!). For more information on these events, visit . These are just two of our favorite locations, so be sure to check out the other libraries throughout the county for more events. Your kids could spend every day at Lancaster County’s libraries and never get bored.

LANCASTER COUNTY PARKS DEPARTMENT

The Environmental Center located in Lancaster County Park at 1 Nature’s Way, Lancaster, offers educational and entertaining events for kiddos of all ages, including munchkin science, fun and fascination, soap making, winter hikes, rock painting and more. Each class is taught by a naturalist from the Environmental Center. Classes are only a few dollars (from about $2-$8). Pre-registration is required. Visit www.co.lancaster.pa.us for a complete list of classes and to register. Or visit the Center just to check out the interactive displays and crafts your kids can do.

FACTORY TOURS

Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, located at 219 East Main St., Lititz, offers tours complete with a piece of dough to twist your own pretzel for $2.50 (students age 4-12) and $3.50 (age 13+). Hours are Monday- Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, visit www.juliussturgis.com. Herr’s (271 Old Baltimore Pike, Nottingham) offers snack factory tours for $3 for kids ages 4-17 and $4 for adults. Visitors get an up-close look at how Herr’s makes its tasty snacks and may get a few snacks of their own. For more information, visit www.herrs.com.

LITTLE EXPLORERS AT NORTH MUSEUM

Contrary to popular belief, the North Museum, located at 400 College Avenue, Lancaster, is the perfect place to take your toddler (and older kids). One Wednesday a month, the museum hosts Little Explorers & Me, which includes hands-on activities, experiments, demonstrations and coffee. Admission for 2 and under is free. For more information, visit www.northmuseum.org.

LANCASTER RECREATION CENTERS AND THE YMCA

Our local recreation centers and YMCAs offer so many programs for kids of all ages at very reasonable costs. From Iddy Biddy sports to baton and dance classes, kid’s gyms and more, the recs and Y have so much to offer. Classes start for kids as young as three. Hempfield Rec, 950 Church Street, Landisville, has Tiny Tots open gym for ages five and under Fridays from 10-11:30 a.m. with parachutes, tumble mats, scooters and more for $3 a child or $5 per family. Or check out Miss Kendal's Preschool Fun Time for ages 3-6 with stories, games and crafts at 2 p.m. on Thursdays. Cost is $3. Visit www.hempfieldrec.com for more information. I’ve always been so grateful for the programs at our Rec in Lancaster, it’s certainly helped me stay sane. Visit www.lancasterymca.org, www.lancasterrec.org or find out more about your neighborhood rec programs.

COFFEE SHOPS WITH KID’S CORNERS

Whitney was kind enough to write an article about all the local coffee shops with kid’s corners in a recent Lucy Reflects article. These places have been a saving grace for us as we sip java and allow our kids to play. Check out this link for our list: Lancaster Coffee Shops with Kids Corner.

THE POTTERY WORKS AND BEAD WORKS

Located at 16 W. Orange Street in downtown Lancaster, The Pottery Works is a great place to let your little one explore their creativity - even toddlers. They offer specials throughout the week as well. Kids can choose from hundreds of different pieces to paint and let their imagination run wild. I’ve spent hours there with my kids. The smallest one’s pieces are unique to say the least, but she is content for hours. The Bead Works upstairs is also a great spot, kids can create their own jewelry choosing from many different types of beads. Visit www.thepotteryworks.com and www.thebeadworks.com for more information, weekly specials, special events and hours.

CANNED FOOD FRIDAYS AT CHOO CHOO BARN

Admission is free Dec. 1, 8 and 15 and Dec. 22 when you bring a canned good. Choo Choo Barn displays miniature trains galore and has hidden Santa figures throughout as well. Kids can also meet with Santa and will receive treats. For more information, visit www.choochoobarn.com. Choo Choo Barn is located at 226 Gap Road, Strasburg.

TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF

Whether it’s a walk around the block, a couple hours with friends, or locked in a room with wine and Netflix (my personal favorite), make sure to set time aside for yourself. You’re not only doing yourself a favor, but also your kids. Kids are an around-the- clock job, your time alone is well-deserved, always remember that.

We’d like to hear from you, how do you stay busy over the winter? What are some of your favorite spots?