Life with a toddler is never dull, but it can sometimes feel repetitive. If your family is anything like mine, spending too many days at home in a row can quickly lead to an acute case of cabin fever.

When your backyard feels boring, you’ve walked your neighbourhood one too many times, or another trip to the shops just won’t cut it for your toddler, here are 10 ideas for local family outings that won’t bust the budget.

1. A Local Cafe

“Babycino” is one of Squish’s favourite words. For the uninitiated, this is the beverage most cafes have on the menu for preschoolers. Usually, some combination of frothed milk and chocolate dusting with a marshmallow on the side, a babycino won’t break the budget and will give you a few quiet minutes to sip your latte and soak up the atmosphere.

Admittedly, going to the cafe is considerably less relaxing for my wife and me than it was before kids came along, and we never stay for long these days, but it is an activity we all enjoy, Squish especially. And with a thriving cafe scene like Australia’s, there are plenty of local cafes to discover.

2. A New Playground

We’ve been back in Australia for almost three months, and we thought we’d located all the toddler-friendly playgrounds in our area until we stumbled upon another one tucked away in the backstreets of a nearby town.

An app like Google Maps is very helpful in locating playgrounds you don’t normally see on your commute. Who knows? The next one you find might become your toddler’s new favourite.

3. A Walking Trail

Living in the Adelaide Hills means there are lots of walking trails in our area (though some require a carrier instead of a pram). But wherever you live, I’m sure there are trails nearby that you’ve never walked before.

One of my favourite family memories of the last few months was a short walk we took after work one day past a horse stud, a local winery and a sheep farm. It might not sound too exciting but Squish was in her element naming all the animals and discovering the local bird life.

Don’t underestimate the simple joy of family walks in new places.

4. The Beach

Almost 90 per cent of Australians live within an hour’s drive of the coast, making the beach far more accessible to us than most countries.

A beach trip takes a bit more time and planning than other outings, but in my experience, it is always worth the effort.

On the weekend, we visited a drive-on beach where Squish went hunting for sea shells, danced on the sand to her heart’s content and watched the seagulls wander by. Her favourite activity by far was jumping in the waves, which made her scream with delight.

If you live near the coast but haven’t been to the beach with your toddler yet this summer, what are you waiting for?

5. A Petting Zoo

Petting zoos can be expensive these days, but fortunately we just found one nearby that charges just $5 entry. Squish has never seen so many animals in her life.

I had work, so I couldn’t join, but my wife showed me a video of her chasing a goat that was wiggling its tail. It’s the small things in life, right?

An alternative to a petting zoo is going for a drive to spot animals. A few weeks ago, we came across hundreds of sheep on a hillside, so we pulled over the car and took Squish up to the fence. It was the highlight of her day.

6. The Library

My wife makes almost weekly trips to the local library with our daughter, where there is always lots to explore and other children to befriend. The big drawcard there is the toy library, where toys can be borrowed and returned like books — including puzzles, beach toys, bath toys and more.

Toy libraries are a reminder that the feeling of novelty children experience when they play with a toy for the first time doesn’t have to cost parents a cent.

Parenting hack: check if your local library has a toy library. You’re welcome.

7. Church

One enduring stereotype of churches is that they are places for silence.

At our church, children are everywhere, and parents aren’t made to feel embarrassed if their kids make a bit of noise during the service. Quite the opposite — our pastor often makes positive comments about hearing the sound of the next generation and the promise it represents for a vibrant future for our community.

Many churches also run children’s programs so that parents can enjoy the service and have a chance to meet others at a similar life stage.

It’s always helpful to check out a church’s website before you visit to check out what they have available for children.

8. A Farmers Market

Visiting farmers’ markets was a favourite pastime for my wife and me when we were dating. But the truth is, there’s just as much to see and do for children at a farmers market — whether exploring the local handicrafts, sampling foods or discovering unusual fruits and vegetables.

One thing is for sure — it beats a screaming toddler in a shopping trolley!

9. A Splash Pad

Splash pads are becoming very popular in town centres and larger parks. They’re like a free version of your local pool combined with a wet version of your local playground, and kids love them.

On hot summer days, splash pads provide a cool, safe environment for toddlers to play without the need for swimming skills or a day trip to the beach. Just remember to slip, slop, slap!

10. Discover a New Form of Transport

Chances are, your city has a bus, tram, train or other kind of transport your toddler has never ridden before. Why not take them for a ride and explore a new part of town?

If you’re feeling especially adventurous, you could always take them to the airport to watch the planes take off and land, or to a local marina where there are bound to be lots of new sights and sounds.

Parenting is a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be boring. And one of the benefits of raising a toddler is seeing the world afresh through their eyes, and enjoying pleasures you have learned to take for granted.

Let us know in the comments below — what other inexpensive family outings would you recommend?

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Image courtesy of Unsplash.