Entertaining your family doesn’t require a huge budget or even a special occasion. If you take the time to do a little research, you will find that there are a number of activities in your community that are free and open to all ages. Start by checking out local publications in your area- newspapers, community bulletin boards, tourism brochures, church bulletins, etc. The library or local YMCA are also great resources, as they often features similar information in a common gathering area.

Get some fresh air. Search online for local and state parks in your area- pack a picnic lunch and take the family for an afternoon of outside activities. Take advantage of the hiking trails and bike paths to see more of the sights and views throughout the park. Organize a cookout with neighbors or family members- while the adults are enjoying each other companies, kids can play on the playground equipment that surround the BBQ area. Remember to bring your own trash bag to clean up any litter you may have accumulated during your outing- you’ll be teaching your children that it’s important to keep nature areas clean.

Get out your chef’s hat. Declare one night a week to be family cooking night, and set a different theme for each night- Mexican, Italian, Chinese, etc. Take the opportunity to teach your children about different cultures and let them create menus for each week’s meal. Assign each family member a task to prepare the food- remember to supervise younger children, especially if they are around knives or the stove. Another option is to set aside a weekend day to bake cookies or cupcakes with your kids. Let each child pick their favorite cookie recipe, or give them free reign to decorate the top of the cupcakes with colored frosting and gel.

Get creative. Family scrapbooks are the best way to preserve memories, but it’s easy to fall behind in organizing and archiving the photos. Bring the whole family together to create a scrapbook of recent family trips, graduations, holidays and birthdays. Cover the dining table with newspaper, assemble supplies like glue, scissors, stickers and markers, and get to work! Chances are you will end up laughing and sharing family stories as you find old pictures that bring back memories.

Get competitive. Instead of shelling out money for movie tickets or a trip to the mall, start a tradition of family game night a few times a month. Let each child take a turn picking a game, and make sure even your youngest family members can contribute by pairing them up with an older sibling or parent. Classic games like Chutes & Ladders, Candyland, Monopoly, and Win, Lose or Draw are great games that will get everyone involved. Pop some popcorn and bring out soda to celebrate your victory.

Posted in Home Budget

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