How to Plan Fun Family Activities on a Budget

With the tough economy, planning fun family activities on a budget can be difficult. Spending time with the kids is important for family development, but planning activities to keep the little ones busy is a sometimes difficult task. How do you keep the kids busy and not break the bank? Here is a simple plan to keep the kids busy and stay within budget.

Things You'll Need

• Local Sunday newspaper

Instructions

1. Get the local Sunday paper. In virtually every paper across the nation, you can find a local calender section. This is a treasure trove of information for cheap and no-cost family activities. For about $1, you and the kids can pick out several activities that are happening around town.

2. Give children a spending budget and let them plan a family activity. Give your kids a spending limit, such as $20, and let them search online, through the newspaper and even seek out alternatives in the community. Kids will often think of creative ideas that cost little or no money.

3. Seek out low-cost or no-cost activities in retail stores. Many stores, such as Home Depot, Lowes and Michael's, have in-store childrens' activities for free. These activities are generally in the morning and allow the kids an opportunity to build a bird house, storage box, race car or other craft items. Retailers supply the materials, the education and sometimes even free coffee for mom and dad.

4. Make a trip to the library. There are tons of activities going on at the library to keep kids busy, most of them are free. Checking out books is both fun and educational, and there are often things, such as story time, sing-a-longs and art shows for kids young and old. You can even check out movies for free.

5. Rent movies instead of going to the theater. Movie theaters are very expensive. A family of four can easily spend more than $40 just for admission, not to mention the trip to the snack stand. Use an online service, such as Netflix. An unlimited subscription for a few months and you will always have a new movie to watch around the house. Another great place to rent movies is through redbox. The kiosks allow users to rent movies for a $1 day.

6. Go to the park or the beach. This is a timeless activity and a whole fun-filled day can be had for the cost of gas. Pack a lunch, prepare a barbecue and stop by your local Walmart for an inflatable beach ball and raft. Beach toys are cheap and will generally last several trips.

7. Seek out free days at movie theaters, museums and zoos. Many movie theaters have free movies for kids once or twice a month. Museums and zoos also have free and reduced-cost days once or twice a month. Some may be tied into a community service activity, such as a park clean up day, which will help your kids give back to the community and have fun in the process.

8. Plan a family board game night. This is a great activity and for less than $20 you can buy a board game that will provide many years of fun activities. Games can often be purchased at thrift stores and yard sales for a few dollars, making this a nearly free activity.

Tips & Warnings

• Create a budget and stick to it. Spend a little time doing research for free activities.

• Bring your own food, snack bars can be expensive. Factor in the cost of parking.

References

• PBSParents: Fall Family Activities on a Budget