Nowadays everything is rising in cost. Gas prices are high and so are food prices, which means that there is less cash for entertainment. Children can learn new skills at dance, gymnastics, karate, and music, but all these lessons cost money. In these hard economic times, many families just do not seem to have any additional funds available.

Fortunately, there are some children’s activities that does not cost anything or not much at all. Some major retail stores offer free of inexpensive classes, events or workshops for children. Depending on your child’s interest, you can find a local retail store that offers such a class.

If your child likes to do arts and crafts, local stores like A.C. Moore and The Rag Shop offer pay for supplies only craft workshops. Workshop schedules can be found in the store or on line, however a reservation has to be made as classes do fill up quickly.

The Home Depot and Lowes have workshops available for those children who have an interest in building things. They have workshops from building birdhouses to building toolboxes. Most of the workshops take place Saturday morning. You will have to call ahead or register on line to ensure that your child has a space.

Supermarkets such as Whole Foods, Shoprite and Kitchen Kapers offer cooking classes for children of all ages. There is a small cost and your child does get to eat what he or she created. In addition, Whole Foods also offers craft classes using mainly recycled items.

Bookstores like Barnes and Nobles  offer free story times. Check your local store for the schedule and some even offer story time over the weekend. Pottery Barn Kids also offers free story times for kids. Visit the website to check dates and times.

Do some research for your area and you might be surprised to find even more free or inexpensive children’s activities.