10 Creative and Hands-On Activities to Do With Your Kids

We’re here… the half-way point of summer. For us, that means the vacations are over, the kids are getting a little bored (I am too), and it’s too hot outside for anything but water activities. Time to mix it up.

I’ve compiled a list of 10 engaging, hands-on activities that kids of almost all ages can participate in and enjoy. A lot of them are indoors! Yay! Some make me cringe a little (the mess!), but my kids love every single one of these ideas and they provide literal hours of entertainment that make these late summer days fly by. I hope you enjoy these as much as we do!

  1. Make Cloud Dough - Also referred to as Moon Sand, Cloud Dough is easy to make and will provide hours of fun for your kiddos. Cloud Dough is moldable and clumps together for easy clean up, but it still tends to get a little messy once little hands are involved, so I like to either take it outside or put it in a deep, rectangular container for indoor play.

  2. Make an Indoor String Laser Obstacle Course - Do you have an aspiring American Ninja Warrior or Mission: Impossible fan in the house? Put up a String Laser Obstacle Course for them to work their way through! This activity works best in a hallway, or even up/down the stairs if your kids are old enough to handle the incline and increased difficulty.

  3. Make Slime - Ok, Mommas. This one makes me cringe a little. But kids love slime! So every once in a while, I give in and we make it. There are tons of different types of slimes to make, from traditional to fluffy, unicorn, and beyond. Search for a recipe that's just right for you and let's get messy!

  4. Make Ice Cream or Popsicles - Making homemade ice cream will take you down memory lane to high school chemistry, and I guarantee your kids will think that you are an actual magician when you're done. Grab the ingredients, set aside five minutes, and enjoy the fruit (creaminess?) of your labor.

  5. Open a Lemonade & Book Stand - Mix up some Crystal Light (or fresh-squeezed lemonade if you're feeling adventurous) and head out to a shady spot to set up a Lemonade & Book Stand. A good friend of mine recently held a kids' book sale at the end of her driveway and it was the cutest thing I've ever seen. Her kids went through their book collections and set aside any books they had grown out of, had duplicates of, or were just done with, and sold them for $1 each. Then they bought new books with their earnings. Adding lemonade to the stand just makes it sweeter for everyone.

  6. Paint Rocks - For some reason, my kids love washing rocks. Once they're done washing and drying, why not decorate them with paint or Sharpies? Decorated rocks will add some colorful flair to your garden or flower bed, or check out Frisco Texas ROCKS for a fun and creative way to spread encouragement and joy in our community by leaving painted rocks around town.

  7. Make a Homemade Bird Feeder - Our kids love identifying all the "customers" we get on a daily basis at our backyard bird feeder, including the squirrel we have affectionally named Fatty and BunBun the rabbit. You kids can make their own feeders out of almost anything (see link), so you'll be identifying your own customers in no time!

  8. Go Backyard Camping - Or if you're like me, go backyard stargazing until 9:30 then head inside for a good night's sleep. Either way, whether you camp out in a tent all night or just spend some time outside in the quiet as a family, your kids will cherish memories of these family "camping" trips. Be sure to roast up some s'mores while you're at it, and don't forget the deet!

  9. Make Play-Doh - Sure, it’s a lot easier to just buy fresh Play-Doh, but making your own turns it into a magical experience. It’s super easy to do and is actually less mess than you think. A bonus- it’s technically edible if your kids “accidentally” decide to take a taste.

  10. Practice Spelling with a Sand/Salt/Flour Tray - To banish summer brain drain, spread a layer of sand, salt, or flour on a rimmed baking sheet and let your little reader practice spelling words with their finger or a dry paintbrush. For an added pop, put colored construction paper under whatever medium you're using so the words show through brightly. This strategy can also be used with simple math problems, single letters, or just for play with younger kids.

Summer is a great time for us to get to spend a little extra time with these little humans who just keep growing too fast. Hopefully some of these ideas will help your summer togetherness be a little more fun and harmonious.

This article also appeared on the Hope Fellowship Church blog.

Summer Reading Recommendations for Kids

I am so excited about this post! My dear friend, Shelby, is taking over the Frugal Frisco Momma blog today to give us her summer reading recommendations for kids. As you will soon discover, Shelby is a children’s book expert and is more than qualified to make these recommendations. I hope you and your kiddos enjoy many of these selections over the summer, and beyond! Without further ado, here’s Shelby…

Well hello, fellow frugal mommas! I am so honored to be a guest on the blog today. Like our wonderful host, I too am a stay-at-home mom to two wonderfully amazing kiddos, my 9-year-old son Grayson and my 6-year-old daughter Scarlett. Before I made the switch to being the COO of our household, however, I actually showered, got dressed, and left the house every day to teach English, Language Arts, and Reading to middle schoolers. Can I share a shocking secret with you? I absolutely loved teaching middle school! I know it’s hard to believe, but those awkward teenagers were such a joy. Although I haven’t been paid to be in a classroom for 9 years now, I still feel like a Language Arts teacher every day as I encourage my kids to grow as readers.

My kids absolutely love books, but this didn’t just happen overnight. I’ve been brainwashing them since birth. My almost-fourth-grade son logged 900 minutes of summer reading before he left for camp last Sunday, and my beginning reader daughter has logged well over 700 so far. (We really love books, people.) Even if hours of reading every day isn’t your goal as a family, there are several ways to encourage your kiddos to pick up a book and dive into reading this summer.

One of the easiest ways to help your kids learn to read is to sit down and read to them. Yes, even your 9-year-old that has been reading independently for years. As a classroom teacher, I regularly read aloud to my 12 and 13 year old students, and you know what? They loved it! And now, as a mom, I read books out loud to my kids every night. But if reading out loud to your kids at bedtime seems like a chore or is intimidating, another great way to sneak in reading is to listen to audiobooks in the car. Even short rides to Target and back can gain your kids 20 minutes of reading time.

Another tip for raising readers is to convince them that reading books is a reward, not a chore. Instead of saying, “You have to read for at least 20 minutes (chore) before you can watch TV (reward)” I try to say, “If you can get your stuff picked up quickly (chore), we can probably sneak in a quick trip to Barnes and Noble (reward) before dinner.” No amount of brainwashing will turn your kids into readers, though, if they don’t find books that appeal to them. I hope I can help you find some your kids will love. 

I wish I could share every one of our favorites with you, but it would be exhausting to sift through them all, so I am narrowing down my selections to give you a jumping off point. My favorite types of books are ones that my kids love, but it’s equally important to choose books that I actually enjoy reading as well (no terrible TV character adaptations!), so all the books on these lists are ones that my kids choose to read on their own, but that I have read aloud and loved as well. Also, it’s important to me that books encourage good character in my kids - this is another opportunity for brainwashing, mommas. We want our kids to be kind, smart, and independent, so the books we read should reinforce those traits as well. WIthout further ado, here are my recommendations for you and your kiddos. I hope they prove to be winners in your household, too! 

PICTURE BOOKS: In picture books, the illustrations are as equally important to the storyline as the words themselves, and each page features minimal amounts of words in comparison to the quantity of pictures. These are ideal for young children and emerging readers. I consider it a bonus if the words in picture books rhyme, as that helps develop beginning reading skills much earlier. The following picture books are some of our newer favorites.

  • Crunch the Shy Dinosaur by Cirocco Dunlap

  • Shake the Tree by Chiara Vignocchi and Silvia Borando

  • The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett

  • Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor by Patricia Valdez

  • I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

 
 

BEGINNING READERS: The books in this category are great choices for your littles who are beginning to read  and want to move on to reading “Chapter Books.” They’re set up in chapters, but have lots of illustrations and fewer words per page than true Early Chapter Books.

  • Fly Guy series by Tedd Arnold

  • Unicorn and Yeti series by Heather Aryis Burnell

  • Narwhal and Jelly series by Ben Clanton

  • Penny and Her Marble by Kevin Henkes

 
 

EARLY CHAPTER BOOKS: The books is this section offer a bit more of a challenge for young readers who have built up stamina and won’t be intimidated by a slightly thicker book. The books are broken into chapters and include more words per page and fewer pictures.

  • Princess in Black series by Dean Hale and Shannon Hale

  • The Adventures of Sophie Mouse series by Poppy Green

  • Bad Kitty series by Nick Bruel

  • The Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey

  • Dory Fantasmagory series by Abby Hanlon

 
 

CHAPTER BOOKS: The books in this section are true chapter books that would appeal to most middle and upper elementary students. 

  • Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown

  • Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker by Shelley Johannes

  • Judy Moody series by Megan McDonald

  • My Weird School series by Dan Gutman

 
 

ADVANCED CHAPTER BOOKS: These books are challenging for kids at advanced reading levels; they are complex stories, but have content that is still appropriate for younger readers. It is a challenge to find advanced chapter books that aren’t too mature for elementary students, but these are some gems.

  • Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer

  • Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

  • Mr. Lemoncello’s Library series by Chris Grabenstein

  • The Penderwicks series by Jeanne Birdsall

 
 

AUDIOBOOKS: I truly believe MOST books benefit from being read aloud, but these books in particular lend themselves well to an audiobook format and make perfect entertainment for road trips (or even just trips to Target) during the summer. I lean toward audiobooks for series that both of my kids are equally interested in or for classic books that don’t have that shiny, new, enticing cover that my kids gravitate toward, but that I know is a story they will love. 

  • Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

  • The Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner

  • Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien

  • The Magic Misfits series by Neil Patrick Harris

 
 

There are over 100 books accounted for in this list of recommendations, so hopefully enough to keep your kids quietly entertained for many, many hours this summer. And don’t forget what an amazing, and frugal, resource your public library is for reading with your kids. I fully believe in owning an expansive personal library in your own home, but when your kids start diving into chapter books (especially beginning readers and early chapter books), they will likely fly through books so fast that it makes much more sense to simply borrow books from friends or from the library. Happy reading, friends! 

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Shelby Jones

…is a wife and stay-at-home mom to two fantastic kids. Once upon a time, she loved teaching English, Language Arts, and Reading to middle school students. These days, she loves fostering a love of reading in her own kids by reading with and to them often.

Fourth of July Crafts

Independence Day is in one week, which means it’s time to break out the red, white, and blue crafts! I’m not a crafty momma by a long shot, so my motivation for festive holiday crafts is mostly borne of guilt and the “we should”s… But once we’re done crafting and we’ve all recovered from the sibling squabbles and my controlling tendencies, I’m always glad we did it.

At this time of year, sitting down with your kids to work on crafts is a great way to talk about what Independence Day means- it’s more than just cookouts and fireworks, though those things have become American institutions as well. Which of these crafts will you be doing with your kids this week? We’ll definitely be splatter painting!

Patriotic Necklaces or Bracelets - Let your little crafter knock him or herself out making a hundred of these for all their family and friends. An easy idea that most kids can accomplish with little help or supervision.

Splatter Paint Tees - You littles can fulfill a lifelong dream- destroy clothing and still wear it! Just go easy on the red paint if you don’t want a little Dexter running around. Blue is your friend on this one. You could also do red, white, and blue tie dye if that’s more your scene.

Patriotic Paper Chain - This one is easily adaptable for different age and skill levels. And if you don’t have patriotic scrapbook paper lying around the house, simple red, white, and blue construction paper will work just as well.

Independence Rocks! - Literally! Find (or buy) some smooth stones, red, white, and blue acrylic paint, and let your kids’ creativity take over.

Patriotic Slime - Ohhhh slime. Not my favorite by a long shot. But my kids love it and it keeps them occupied for quite a while.

Deep breaths, mommas. Happy crafting!

Top Frisco Parks

Summer is almost here! Which means it’s time to get the kids outside to enjoy the weather before it gets too hot to move- #WeLiveInTexasYall. I’ve compiled a list of some of the top parks and playgrounds in Frisco. Check a few of them out! Wear sunscreen!

Frisco Commons- Hands down the best and most popular park complex in Frisco. It’s even won some awards for design and inclusivity for Hope Park, a fabulous padded playground area that is designed to be fully inclusive of children of all abilities. Aside from this and other playgrounds, Frisco Commons includes open green areas for soccer or kite flying, pavilions and picnic tables, a stocked pond for fishing, and numerous paved trails for walking, hiking, or biking. A big highlight is the spray park (open May 15-September 30) where your kids can cool down while you watch from a shaded pavilion. And the best part? Restroom facilities are available! ‘Cause when your kids gotta go, they gotta go now.

Harold Bacchus Community Park- This park is first and foremost a sports complex, offering access to numerous baseball, softball, and soccer fields. It also boasts multiple playground areas spread across the complex, as well as a stocked pond, pavilions with picnic tables, and the all-important restroom facilities. The highlight of Harold Bacchus are the trails for walking, hiking, and biking, with connections to the creek and the two-mile-long Taychas Trail.

Shepherd’s Glen Spray Park- This hidden gem offers a cooling spray park (open May 15-September 30) without the crowds of more popular destinations. The playground area is on the small side, so the spray park is the real superstar here. There are also multiple green areas for playing soccer, flying kites, or running off some energy before nap time. A covered picnic area and paved walking trail around this park out as quaint and unusually quiet for a spray park. However, there are no restroom facilities, so come prepared!

Warren Sports Complex- A preeminent sporting complex in Frisco, Warren offers field opportunities for baseball, softball, basketball, football, soccer, sand volleyball, and tennis. Other opportunities include a playground for the littles, open green spaces, a stocked pond, paved walking and biking trails, pavilions, and restroom facilities (praise the Lord!).

Vivian Stark McCallum Park- This is our family’s personal favorite. It’s never crowded, there are two play areas for different ages and stages, a basketball court, open field to fly kites in, and a walking/biking trail encircling it all. Pack a lunch to eat under the pavilion. No restroom facilities, so come prepared.

Skate Park at Northeast Community Park- For those with older, adventurous kids, try the Frisco Skate Park. It’s North Texas’s largest skate park and is truly impressive. If you decide to “drop in,” don’t forget the helmets and pads!

What gems did I miss? Let me know in the comments. I may want to take my kids to one this summer too!

 

10 CHEAP and HOT Things to Do In Frisco This Summer

I’ve already shared my list of 10 COOL things to do indoors in Frisco this summer. Now it’s time for 10 HOT, outdoor things to do in Frisco this summer. Because even when it’s an inferno outside, the kids still love to get out, and I guess they need Vitamin D and exercise, and blah blah blah… So try a few of these, try to stay cool, and let me know if you have any unique or interesting outdoor summer activities to add.

  1. Park- This is a no-brainer. Parks are the go-to family event of the summer. And Frisco has some great ones! See my parks post for the best ones in Frisco. Don’t forget the sunscreen and the water! Gotta stay hydrated out there, ladies and gents.

  2. Splash Pad- Maybe the perfect outdoor summer activity- you’re outside, but the water is cool, and you don’t have to be on super-duper high alert for drownings. Frisco has three official splash pads: Frisco Commons (Hope Park) Spray Park, J.R. Newman Spray Park, and Shepherd’s Glen Spray Park. Please note that only Frisco Commons has restroom facilities, and it is highly recommended that kids wear water shoes at any splash pad. The surrounding areas of McKinney also have several splash pads if you’d like to try those too.

  3. Geocaching- My kids love geocaching! Or as they call it, “geo-catching.” Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunt. All you have to do is download the Geocaching app and get going! Most of the treasures are small items, like beads or shiny rocks, so the time spent together on the hunt is the real treasure here.

  4. Farmer’s Market- Frisco is lucky enough to have two farmer’s markets now: the original Frisco Rotary Market (Saturdays 8am-noon) and the new Frisco Fresh Market (Saturdays 8am-3pm and Sundays 10am-4pm). I use these markets as a way to get my picky eaters excited about trying new foods. And it’s a great way to support local farmers and small business owners.

  5. Frisco Snow Cone Lady- The woman. The myth. The legend. The Frisco Snow Cone lady makes THE BEST snow cones in the world. No exaggeration- she lives up to the hype. And you won’t believe how cheap they are! Order at the walk-up window and eat on the benches outside or take your cones to go. There is no indoor seating or facilities, but oh so worth it. As an independent owner/operator, the Snow Cone Lady often alters her hours based on the weather or her schedule. Be sure to check her Facebook page for open/closed info before you go.

  6. Third Sundays at the Frisco Heritage Museum- The historic buildings on the grounds of the Frisco Heritage Museum are open to the public on the third Sunday of each month from 1-4pm. Go enjoy the tours, live animals, crafts, blacksmith demonstration, and Frisco history. My family has gone several times and we’re never disappointed.

  7. Frisco Roughriders- Take the kids to enjoy America’s Pastime in their own backyard this summer. Tickets to see Roughriders games are fairly inexpensive ($8 for lawn tickets and up) and it’s always a good time. Especially if they win— FIREWORKS! It’ll be hot, so you might as well grab a hot dog and a cold adult beverage while you watch your kids cheer on their team. And if you go to a promotion game, you’ll come away with some free swag.

  8. Frisco Rail Yard- The Rail Yard is a great place for family-friendly fun that all family members will enjoy. Food trucks, picnic tables, lawn games, live music. What more can you ask for??

  9. Dive-In Movies- Beat the dang heat and go to a dive-in movie at the Frisco Athletic Center. Tickets are $12/person (kids 2 and under are free), so you’ll end up spending about what you would if you went to the theater. But this comes with an experience your kids won’t soon forget! The FAC offers three movies this summer- one each in June, July, and August. Grab your tube and dive in!

  10. Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch- This one is definitely out of the Frisco bubble- it’s in Pilot Point, TX- but is worth the drive. The ranch is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays, and it’s just a lot of fun! It’s more of a free-range experience than a traditional zoo, and definitely has a mom-and-pop vibe that makes it feel quaint and personal. You’ll see bears, kangaroos, lemurs, camels, and more. You even get to feed some of these guys!

Stay cool out there, folks! It’s gonna be a scorcher.

10 CHEAP and COOL Things to Do in Frisco This Summer

Deep breath, Mommas. Summer is here. For many parents, this means significantly more face-time with our offspring. While many of us welcome this sacred time of togetherness and slower schedules, it comes with its challenges as well, namely that our kids are up in our faces 24/7 for close to three months. Combine increased down time with the high temperatures we experience in Texas and you have a recipe for the "I'm bored" comments to begin almost immediately. But it doesn't have to be that way! Below are ten ideas of CHEAP and AIR-CONDITIONED things to do with your kids this summer that won't break the bank, but will break the boredom. My kids and I have personally done all of these at some point so you know they’re tried and true by a real Frugal Frisco Momma. Try a few of them out and let me know how they go!

  1. WOW Wednesdays!- This summer, the Frisco Public Library is offering WOW Wednesdays! (formerly Mindstretchers Mondays) for kids K-5th grade every week at five times to choose from: 9:30am, 11am, 2:30pm, 4pm, and 7pm. Each week is a different educational theme that’s sure to delight kids of all ages. Just be sure to get there early to get a free ticket and a seat!

  2. $1 Movies on the Square- Cinemark Frisco Square is once again doing their Summer Movie Clubhouse on Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 9:30 throughout the summer. Each ticket is only $1! Grab some popcorn and enjoy the AC!

  3. Legacy Hall Play Dates (Plano)- While not technically in Frisco, it’s close enough… Legacy Hall is offering free Play Dates most Mondays at 10am this summer. Some days they’ll show a movie with a sing-along, other days it might be a magician or puppet show. Kids will love it all! The Play Dates are free but food is not- come prepared to buy lunch if you want. No outside food is allowed.

  4. Vacation Bible School- So many churches in our area offer Vacation Bible School throughout the summer. My own kids are already registered to go to THREE of them. It’s the same theme (ROAR!) for each one, but never mind that- they’ll love it! And momma will get a few hours of kid-free time to grab a coffee or get her toes done. Check with local churches for VBS schedules, or send me a message if you’re having trouble finding one- I’ll help you search!

  5. Stonebriar Centre- The mall is an awesome place to get some air-conditioned fun in this summer. The mall has become slightly more kid-friendly over the last year as they’ve added giant Connect Four, lounging space, and a shuffleboard table downstairs. Plus you can follow my A Day Out for Under $25 plan for a day at the mall!

  6. Volunteer- What better way to teach our kids generosity and kindness than getting them involved with local community volunteer organizations? Frisco has several non-profit organizations that serve the children of our community. Two of these are Frisco Fastpacs and Lovepacs. So have your kids hold a food drive, participate in a pre-pack session, or help deliver the pacs together. You can’t go wrong with either of these organizations.

  7. Barnes & Noble Storytime- Every Thursday at 11am, the Barnes & Noble in Stonebriar Centre will have an in-store storytime with a craft! After your kids listen to the story and make their craft, be sure they fill out their Reading Journal (Grades 1-6) or get a sticker for their Storytime Passport (Birth-Kinder) to earn a surprise at the end of the summer!

  8. Frisco Library- I know I already mentioned WOW Wednesdays! at the library, but there are so many more cool programs the library offers for kids of all ages, birth through teens. There’s at least a couple of options for different age groups offered each day, so grab your planner as you scroll through the library’s summer events calendar. While you’re at it, be sure to sign up for the Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge to guard against summer brain drain and also to earn free prizes at the end of the summer. You’ll probably see me and my kids at the library at least every other day this summer. Say hi!

  9. Kids Bowl Free- Sign your kids up through Kids Bowl Free and they can literally bowl for free at Strikz Entertainment on Lebanon all summer! We did this last summer and loved it. Bowling shoes are required, so you’ll incur a rental fee for those, and Strikz has some rules as to what days and times you can go for free, but they’re reasonable. Just be sure to check the small print when you register.

  10. StarCenter Little Rookies- Ice hockey, anyone? In July, your kids ages 4-9 can take four introductory hockey lessons for free, equipment included. My kids are currently participating in the June session and L-O-V-E it! Sign up through the StarCenter and get those kids out on the ice!

A Day Out for Under $25

Sometimes you just have to get the kids out of the house, amiright? But in Texas in the summer, and even spring and fall for that matter, it can be difficult to find an air-conditioned place to go that won't break the bank. Our number one go-to for a cheap day is... Stonebriar Centre. AKA, the mall.

I know. The mall is a very typical place a lot of you mommas already take your kids on a regular basis. But I want to share how my family gets in an entire day's worth of air-conditioned entertainment for less than $25. Here's our plan of attack:

  1. Barnes & Noble- My kids love to look at all the educational toys and play with the train table. We always fit in reading a few picture books too.
    SUMMER BONUS: Every Thursday in the summer at 11am, Stonebriar Barnes & Noble has an in-store storytime. After your kids listen to the story and make their craft, be sure they fill out their Reading Log (Grades 1-6) or get a sticker for their Reading Passport (Birth-Kinder) to earn a surprise at the end of the summer!
    Running Total: $0

  2. Nordstrom- Our next stop is Nordstrom for one thing, and one thing only: balloons. We head straight to the kids' shoe department and each kid picks out a balloon that I know will hit me in the back of the head for the rest of our time at the mall. If Nordstrom is running a kids' shoe sale, I'll browse if one or both kid is in need of new shoes. Nordstrom is also a great place for a potty break if needed, and they have a great nursing room as well.
    Running Total: $0

  3. Lunch- Take your pick of the food court! Popular places in our family include Chick-fil-A, Sonic, and Paradise Bakery. With two kids' meals and a light lunch for me (hello, WeightWatchers), we can usually get away with spending about $15 for lunch. If we have a sweet tooth and no one’s had a meltdown, we'll also get a couple small sugar cookies at Great American Cookies ($3).
    Running Total: $18

  4. Carousel- That dang carousel. Sure, it was darling when my 15-month-old lit up with joy and delight while riding the horsies. Now though, my kids are mostly over it and act bored while spinning, but they still beg to go on the carousel every dang time. Some days we do, some days we don't. If you choose to go on the carousel, it'll set you back $3/kid. So in my case, $6.
    Running Total: $24

  5. LEGO- Our next stop is the LEGO Store. The kids love looking at all the new sets and then building with the sample sets for a few minutes.
    Running Total: $24

  6. Disney Store- This stop is always one of our favorites! It could entertain my kids for an hour if I let it. Be sure to check the sale section as they often have some good deals that you might not be able to pass up.
    Running Total: $24

TOTAL COST: $24

After that, little feet and legs are ready to call it a day! Notice that I didn't put the indoor play area on our plan of attack. That's because I hate it and try to avoid it at all costs. But if that's your jam, add it in or swap it for one of the other kid-friendly stops.

Do you have a favorite mall stop that is kid- and budget-friendly?