MPmomof3Ten Ways to Spend Time with Your Children Without Breaking the Bank
August 16th 2010 19:48
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Free and Cheap Family Fun Activities
In today's uncertain economy families are tightening belts, paying off debt and struggling to build an emergency fund savings cushion like never before. One of the first variable expenses that is scrutinized is generally entertainment. Certainly we all want and even need to have fun, but higher priorities of basic human survival such as food, clothing and shelter still exist.
Tip 1: Evaluate the interests, schedules, likes and dislikes of each family member. Brainstorm ideas with your spouse and children as well as friends and relatives.
Since you want your entire family to participate in your activities, it is crucial that you consider and respect each family member's opinions, fears, likes, dislikes and available time. You may find it helpful to write this information down and use it as a guide in making your plans.
Tip 2: Check out your local library.
The library can be a great source for activity books, free movie rentals, game books and magazines all of which you can check out or view.
Tip 3: Participate in community service projects.
Giving back to the community is a great way for your family members to build self esteem, build relationships with others and do something to help others all while learning valuable team building, leadership and life skills in the process. It can also help them to be thankful for their many blessings. Maybe you could even create your own service project such as shopping for holiday gifts for needy families.
Habitat for Humanity and many other local organizations are more than willing to create activities in which your children can participate and learn the value of giving back to the community.
Tip 4: Find local free or low cost theatrical productions.
Your local high school, college, or theatrical guild may offer inexpensive performances.
Tip 5: Call or visit your local chamber of commerce.
Your city's chamber of commerce should know about parks, community events, local tourism points of interest and much more.
Tip 6: Plan an indoor or outdoor family picnic, field day, game night, craft activity time or other event. Invite other families to participate
Two of my fondest childhood memories are my elementary school field day and my family's weekly living room floor picnics. You can make memories like these with your children. Other families can also be a great source of new ideas for family fun.
Tip 7: Go on a treasure hunt.
When I was young I remember that my grandfather had an obsession with some California Rasins figurines. One day, my mother hid them from him. My sister and I had a blast helping him go on a scavenger hunt and follow the clues to find his beloved kidnap victims.
Tip 8: Grab an apron!
Cooking together is another great way to build life skills and earn a sense of accomplishment. Cooking with your kids can be a creative way to have fun. Check out the kids in the kitchen section of the about.com parenting and family channel for ideas.
Tip 9: Find it online
Disney's family fun website is an excellent source of cheap entertainment ideas, free printables and more for the whole family. Magazine websites such as this one from Family Circle can also provide great how to ideas.
Tip 10: Make creative memories.
Another of my favorite childhood memories is movie fest. My sister, mom, aunt and I would get dressed up in our pajamas and spend the whole night watching classic movies. Normally we were not allowed to stay up that late, so we always looked forward to our girls night and moviefest.
My sister and I also conducted fashion shows and puppet shows for our families and even came up with our own yearly newspaper called The Labor Day News. The newspaper was delivered in a construction paper wagon. My mother still has our creations in her closet although my sister and I are both grown and married. I also recall helping my mom make a paper pinata as a family craft project. We took the pinata to the school where she was a teacher. The kids had so much fun breaking it apart and getting the candy out, but I had even more fun because I helped with the craft project.
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