Spending quality family time is a priority for many people but can be pricey. One dinner and a movie for a family of four can easily run over $50. I’ve discovered our family can make memories without blowing a chunk of money. Here are some of our favorite ideas for budget friendly fun.
1. Visit a State Park.
The entrance fee for state parks in our state is only $5 for the entire car. The kids can bring friends and play on the playground or stream, hike and canoe. We throw in a picnic lunch or grill on one of the park grills. The cost can be lower even more by visiting on the weekly free day or borrowing a park pass from the public library.
2. Pizza and a Movie. Google “Redbox” or “Blockbuster” and find a free movie code or check out a classic from the local library. Make homemade pizza or purchase one of the low cost $5 pizzas. Add a bag of microwave popcorn and voila! Instant movie night.
3. Family Game Night.Let each member of the family choose their favorite game and takes turns. We’ve played so many different games over the years, from Sorry to I Spy to Life, and somehow, I usually lose each time! Not a fan of board games? Try video games. We’ve been trying some of the dance games. It’s exercise and hilarity because we look pretty silly. My dance moves are not pretty. Need more ways to be entertained? Play some online games, like Sorry or online bingo at www.galabingo.co.uk.
4. Purchase a Membership to a Local Zoo, Aquarium, or Museum.We’ve purchased memberships to all of these attractions at different times over the years. Not only do they usually offer free classes and workshops to members, the special holiday events are usually included in the cost. We’ve gone to Spooky Halloween Parties, Summer Showdowns, Animal Birthday parties and Holiday Evenings that the kids still talk about years later.
Do you have a favorite budget friendly activity to share?
Thanks for the State Park information, I didn’t know that!
Great tips! We do a regular family game/movie night. Though my kids have recently started declining my offers at a round of chicken foot….sore losers 🙂
That is one of our favorite things to do – visit the zoos and aquariums, that is!
anything to save some dough 🙂
I’m up for a pizza and movie night any time! You are right that there are a lot of fun activities to do together that aren’t too expensive.
These are great tips. We used to have family game night every week but since I now have a junior high it gets kind of hard planning things like that. We do have time going to the zoo even though he complains but to be honest I think it’s a pre teen thing that they complain about everything but he ends up having fun anyway. We do movies and pizza sometimes. Thanks so much for the tips. Sometimes it’s nice to have other ideas so that you are not doing the same thing over and over again.
We are hugely into hiking and camping as a family. Great way to spend the day with your family and all you need is a backpack for snacks/water/first aid, etc and a decent pair of shoes. Perfect way to teach kids to enjoy nature!
Great tips! It’s so pricey now a days to go any place with the whole family.