Having Fun with Kids on a Budget – Try These Free and Cheap Activities

As the cost of living continues to rise at rates much higher and faster than the average pay scale, more and more families are unable to do the fun things with their kids that they once had. Even taking the family to the movies can cost as much as a day’s wages which is unrealistic when you consider all the bills your check needs to pay. In fact, even when mom works outside the home, that second income doesn’t offer a lot of money to spend on entertainment so families are always looking for free and/or cheap activities for the kids.

Events at Your Local Library
Families with smaller children should check out their local libraries. Quite often local volunteers sponsor puppet shows and other hands-on activities that are free to the public. Sometimes you may be asked to give a donation but most often that isn’t required unless it’s an arts and crafts event in which supplies need to be reimbursed. Even so, kids love these kinds of activities and they won’t eat away at your budget.

Church and Community Events
Many communities around the country organize family events that aren’t really all that expensive to attend. From free concerts in the park to fundraising carnivals at their local church, there are often things to do that are less expensive than their commercial counterparts. If you don’t already belong to a church, you can find them on sites like Deily because members share events and activities they believe in and are encouraged to openly discuss what they believe. Not only can you find fun things to do that are affordable but you might even find a church to join which opens the door to even more family activities you can enjoy on a limited budget.

Primitive Camping
Going to public campgrounds can be quite expensive if you want one with all the amenities. Primitive camping costs little and actually ‘forces’ the family to entertain each other. There is no electricity and often running water is in another part of the park which makes it all the more fun when you have to hike with the kids to fill your water jugs. Imagine roasting marshmallows by the campfire and singing all the songs you hadn’t even thought of since you were a kid yourself.

A Day at the Beach or Local Park
If you are lucky enough to live near a beach, there is nothing more that kids love to do than swim or wade in the water. Bring along a picnic lunch and some water toys to keep the little ones busy. Build sand castles, look for pretty shells and spend time talking about all the different kinds of birds, fish and other ‘creatures’ you see as the day goes on.

One of the things you will learn when finding cheap and free things to do with the kids is that you have really been missing out on quality time spent with the family. Kids don’t see the day as something to do that doesn’t cost money. What they see is time with mom and dad all to themselves. These are the days your little ones will remember fondly as the years go by, so make the most of it while they’re young. It doesn’t cost a lot to spend time with them and that’s the biggest benefit of all. Time devoted to the family is time well spent.

What do you like to do with your family?