The holiday season can be one of the most joyful times of the year, but it also can be one of the most expensive.
Want to enjoy all the perks of the holidays without digging a hole in your pocket? Here are some of the most inexpensive holiday activities!
- Sledding
You guessed it! The first activity on our list is the beloved snow sledding. This activity is very low in cost, as all you need is a snowy hill and something to slide down it. Some favorite sledding locations include the hills at Palmer Hills Golf Course, Pleasant View Elementary, Veterans Memorial Park, Hollyhock Park and more. Senior Jack Williams enjoys racing his friends down the slopes. “I love going to Palmer Hills in the winter to sled with my friends! We race down the hills and it’s a lot of fun to relive childhood experiences!” expressed Williams. Be sure to bundle up and bring a friend as you conquer the hills of the Quad Cities this holiday season!
- Ice Skating
Next up on our list we have an icy favorite: ice skating! Bettendorf was fortunate enough to get an outdoor ice skating rink, Frozen Landing, a few years ago located at Splash Landing Waterpark. If you own your own skates, then admission is free, and you can skate your heart out all day long! Don’t have skates? No problem! Frozen Landing offers skate rentals for only two dollars, making it a cheap and fun option for all. Senior Lila Teitle enjoys taking advantage of this fun activity. “I really enjoy skating at Frozen Landing during the wintertime. It’s such a great activity to have available so close to home and my friends and I love to go there on the weekends,” Teitle stated. While you are there, don’t forget to take a picture with their giant decorated Christmas tree!
- Holiday Lights
One of the trademarks of the holiday season is all the sparkling lights displayed throughout neighborhoods, parks and more! If you want something simple, hop in a car or take a walk around local neighborhoods and check out some of the city’s finest lights! Be sure to bring some eggnog to enjoy along the way. If you want to check out some excellent displays, both the Vanderveer Park in Davenport, Iowa, and the Botanical Center in Rock Island, Illinois, offer a beautifully decorated scene. Vanderveer Park has no admission fee, and the Botanical Center charges a small fee of eight dollars for adults and four dollars for children. Be sure to take advantage of these displays while they last!
- Build a Snowman
Many can remember Anna’s classic phrase in the movie “Frozen” of, “Do you wanna build a snowman?” Take her words to heart and make your own snowman this winter! This is an easy way to get out of the house and have some winter fun. Gather some sticks, rocks and a carrot and make your snowman come to life. I might recommend giving your snowman a winter scarf so he does not get too chilly in the winter frost.
- Snowball Fight
Here is another winter classic to add to our list: a snowball fight! All you need to do is gather a few buddies, find a snowy field and have at it. The great perk of this activity is that it costs absolutely nothing to do and can easily pass a few hours. If you do choose to battle in the elements, we recommend making some peppermint hot chocolate to defrost with after your epic victory.
- Winter Festivals and Parades
One of the most underrated and inexpensive winter activities to check out is your local holiday festivals and parades! There are so many fun and unique displays going on in the Quad Cities this time of year, including the Festival of Trees parade and tree display in Davenport, various holiday concerts put on by the PV choirs, bands and orchestras, holiday performances by the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and more. Most of these events are either free or come with a small entry fee, but the fun and entertainment are limitless for these exciting events!
- Hot Chocolate and a Movie
Our list wraps up with a cheap and easy form of holiday entertainment: hot chocolate and a movie! Whether it’s binge watching your favorite Netflix show or sitting down with family to watch “The Polar Express,” nothing beats snuggling up with a warm blanket and spending time with those you love. Not sure what to watch? Senior Nathan Tillman’s favorite movie is “Home Alone.” “My favorite Christmas movie is “Home Alone.” Watching two grown adults look like morons was hilarious growing up,” he stated. Along with your movie selection, get creative with your hot chocolate servings and add some peppermint or holiday sprinkles to add to the festive occasion.
As you venture into the holiday season, be sure to give a few of these fun activities a try! Nothing is better than having fun in the snowy months while saving a dollar or two along the way. Be sure to let the Spartan Shield know which activities you enjoyed the most and have a happy holiday season!
