Evgeny Atamanenko | Shutterstock.com
Kids are in school again and the weather will soon start co0oling down as we welcome a new season. Fall is a perfect season to spend more time with our children and encourage them to continue to learn through fun activities that nourish the skills and knowledge they are learning inside the classroom. Use the weekend to make new memories as a family with these free fall activities geared towards kids and families.
Go hiking – Take a walk down a nature trail in your city or a local provincial park.
Go bird-watching – Head out with a pair of binoculars and a bird book and identify local birds together.
Go on a scavenger hunt – Go hunting for a list of fall items and see if you can find everything on the list.
Visit historical sites – Many library systems offer passes to local historical sites and museums completely free of charge to library card holders.
Check your community calendar – Check online for free events in your community for families.
Go geocaching
Visit your local library – Check online for free book readings, craft events and more for families.
Make a handprint tree
Collect acorns and pinecones – Use them for fall crafts or make a thanksgiving centrepiece with them!
Help the less fortunate – Empty out your pantry and donate any non-perishable items you can spare.
As you think about other fun ways to encourage your children to continue to learn about the world around them, it is also time to start thinking about their future if you haven’t already. Why not start by setting aside all that money you just saved and put it to work in a no-fee Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP).
SmartSAVER.org works with communities across Canada to make it easier for modest-income families to save for their kids’ future education. They can help you access federal government grants including the Canada Learning Bond. Since we’ve been talking free stuff, I think this one takes the cake – The Canada Learning Bond is actually a FREE kick-start contribution of up to $2000 for eligible families. Awesome right?
Give your child the opportunity to continue learning. Visit SmartSAVER.org right now and check out their government grant eligibility calculator, online RESP starter and Canada Learning Bond application.
Win it:
One Canadian Frugal Mom Eh reader will win a $50 Gift Card courtesy of SmartSaver.org. Giveaway ends on Oct 14th, 2016 at 11:59 pm EST. Contest winners will be announced with SmartSAVER during Education Savings Week, November 21-27, 2016.) See giveaway tools form for entry and T&C.
Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by SmartSAVER.org, however all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Elizabeth Lampman is a coffee-fuelled Mom of 2 girls and lives in Hamilton, Ontario. She enjoys travelling, developing easy recipes, crafting, taking on diy projects, travelling and saving money!
Caryn Coates
Friday 14th of October 2016
I learned that you can get up to $2,000 in free education money. Thats pretty cool!
Erika Letson
Friday 14th of October 2016
I've learned that you can open a RESP with no enrolment fee, no annual fee and no minimum contribution. Thanks for the giveaway!
Carol M
Friday 14th of October 2016
I learned there is no cost to open an account.
Christy E
Wednesday 12th of October 2016
I liked how they laid out the resp options
Jonnie
Wednesday 12th of October 2016
I learned that you can open an RESP absolutely free. I always thought you had to commit to a monthly investment.