I don’t know about you, but my 18-month-old daughter and I start to melt down if we spend too much time in the house. That’s why we dig worms out of the garden whenever we can. We also take a magnifying glass outside to look at pinecones, take walks (slowly) in the woods, wash stones in bowls of bubbly water, catch and study bugs, go to Thorpe or Bushmaster park (Maxine calls it “wheee!”), or go get a juice and coffee at Late for the Train and run around Heritage Square. We also go visit our friends farm (in progress) or head to the Arboretum and catch the raptor show if we’re lucky. Unfortunately, there are spring days in Flag when your hat flies off and your eyes fill with grit if you outside; you know the type. That’s when we have to get creative. Here are a few of my suggestions for cheap fun in Flag:

If it’s too windy to go out, go to the public library and play with the toys & pick-out a new book or two.

If it’s still too windy to go out, go to Babies to Kids & play with the toys. Buy at least one so you don’t look like a jerk.

Still too windy to go out? Go visit the baby chicks, the bunny and the old dog at Olsen’s grain. Pick-up some dog or cat food while you’re at it.

A little gusty? Go to Savers and for a cheap new toy or two. Go home, clean the heck out of it, then play.

Or go to the Aquatic Center for swimming or toddler wading. You could also dump the kiddo in the cheap daycare and get a workout, or take her with you for some splashing.

Or check out the new YMCA.

Or run around the Museum of Northern AZ. Don’t expect to have time to study the exhibits (you probably didn’t want to read everything anyway, as you’d feel obliged to do without a kid.)

On the weekend, try to catch a free kids’ movie at the Orpheum on a Saturday.

If it’s open, go to the farmer’s market. Take home some tasty local food or flowers.

By summertime, there will be all kinds of cool events, festivals and camps, but spring in Flagstaff can be a bit rough with toddlers since the weather is still so changeable and there’s not a whole lot happening. Still, a little willingness to take the kiddo to check-out cool local organizations and businesses can keep you from pulling out all your hair. This Saturday, you should come visit us at Earth Day, located on Route 66 on the South lawn of City Hall. We’ll have Chuck Cheesman’s kids show and free kids’ tote bag decorating. Good luck keeping busy (and not crazy). We’ll see you out there!