Family activities are a great way for the family to bond and create lasting memories, but they can really add up if you have a lot going on. So with a smidge of forethought and a dollop of creativity, you can make time for your loved ones this summer without running out of money in the meantime. And so, in this post we’ll look at 8 money-saving tips for family activities to have the best time with your loved ones without leaving a hole in your pocket.
5 Tips To Find Things To Do For Fun Without Going Broke
Many people overlook the great FREE or low cost things to do right in their community. Cities across the country offer free or low-cost events, festivals and activities for residents to enjoy this summer. They are great opportunities to dabble in new experiences on the cheap.
1. Some free or cheap local events
Consult Local Calendars: Most towns, libraries and parks have event calendars with free or inexpensive entertainment ideas. Movie nights, art exhibits, and outdoor concerts are just a few of the things that can make Charleston sparkle through out the winter season — what with its incessant seasonal festivals. All you need to do is look on your town’s website or community boards and you’ll see a slew of things to do with little cost.
Public Spaces: Parks, beaches, trails and nature reserves are usually great sources of free entertainment. Bring along a picnic and spend the day outdoors with your family. Get more adventurous, try out geocaching – a free outdoor treasure-hunting game that is loads of fun for the family and can turn something simple like going for a walk into an adventure.
Getting involved in your community allows you to find loads of things to do without needing to spend a lot along the way.
2. Think Ahead and Keep an Eye Out for Discount Programs In your near future, a large sum of money will be going towards living expenses.
Reducing the cost of these family events is often a matter of good planning. Multiple attractions, whether they are amusement parks or museums, will offer either discount tickets or free entry on specific days/ times. Hopping on them at the right time and place can mean all of the difference in your budget.
Utilize Coupon Apps + Deal Websites
Groupon — Also available on your smartphone, Groupon also offers regular discounts at local attractions, dining opportunities, and family-friendly travel trips. Planning your excursions ahead will make sure you never miss a discount, and can save big on trips to the zoo, mini golf or water parks.
Memberships and Annual Passes
Gift idea number: Annual PassIf your family has a regular haunt like a zoo, museum, or theme park that they visit more than twice per year an annual pass is the perfect Christmas gift! Many times these memberships pay for themselves on the 1st or 2nd visit and offer extra perks like food discounts, merch discounts, special events etc.
With some forward planning and the use of discounts, you can keep costs down on family outings without taking anything away from the experience.
3. Cheap Things to Do with Kids Indoors
Fun for the family could possibly be as simple as at home. They can, in fact, be easily found elsewhere (many of them often cost nothing) and played indoors to create fun experiences. Together, spending time and enjoying these activities with those you love, they are among things which will make your life colourful, fun and entertaining…spending little to no money.
Family Game Night
The winter is a good excuse to settle down and play some board games or card games with your family. Then loads and loads of free, unlimited games if you already own some. This way these folks may feel compelled to do so while making sure that a game does not grow stale from always looking the same, you can introduce new twists on familiar games or hold themed game nights. For those without a library of games, many can be found for cheap at thrift stores or borrowed from friends.
Cook or Bake Together
Get everyone involved in the kitchen and turn cooking or baking into a family event. In addition to learning useful facts, this is a low-cost way to produce an extremely memorable experience for bonding together. Get the kids involved by making themed cooking nights, like make your own pizza or cupcake wars.
At home Movie Marathon
Instead, simply bring the entertainment to your home by taking advantage of all the family-friendly options available through streaming services and hold a movie marathon at just a portion of what you would spend on theatre tickets. Make it a cozy movie night and each pick one movie to watch with fabric popcorn just like the tutorials. This could so easily slip into being a cheap and cheerful tradition.
These indoor activities need not be boring neither do these inside tasks have to be costly. Creativity will certainly go a long way to transforming your home into the center of family fun and enjoyment.
4. FRUGAL OUTSIDE Experience
Outdoor family activities are not only cheap but also a great way for families to bond and get back to nature. When you go with budget options, the adventures cliché take will become much more memorable without bleeding your pockets dry.
Example of Outdoor Activities Table
Here’s an example of a table for outdoor activities. This table includes activity name, location, required equipment, estimated time, and skill level to help you plan or present outdoor options.
| Activity | Location | Required Equipment | Estimated Time | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiking | Local trails, mountains | Hiking boots, water, map | 2-5 hours | Beginner – Advanced |
| Biking | Parks, bike trails | Bike, helmet, water | 1-3 hours | Beginner – Advanced |
| Kayaking | Lakes, rivers | Kayak, life jacket | 2-4 hours | Beginner – Intermediate |
| Camping | Campsites, forests | Tent, sleeping bag, food | Overnight | Beginner |
| Rock Climbing | Climbing gym, mountains | Climbing gear, chalk | 1-3 hours | Intermediate – Advanced |
| Bird Watching | Parks, forests | Binoculars, bird guide | 1-2 hours | Beginner |
| Beach Volleyball | Beach, sand courts | Volleyball, net | 1-2 hours | Beginner |
| Fishing | Lakes, rivers, ocean | Fishing rod, bait | 2-5 hours | Beginner – Intermediate |
| Picnic | Parks, scenic spots | Food, blanket | 1-2 hours | Beginner |
| Stargazing | Open fields, mountains | Telescope, blanket | 1-3 hours | Beginner |
Camera/phone for pictures and list of items
Healthy Home Tips To Get The Whole Family Outdoors for Fitness and Relaxation They can be as simple as heading to the nearest beach or a trek up the walking trail, and with little cost come great rewards.
5. Family Bonding with Educational Activities
Engaging in educational activities can be a wonderful way to spend quality time while promoting your child’s development. The best part? Most educational resources and events are free or at low cost.
FREE MUSEUM DAYS
Free days in the great cities of many museums. It’s a great opportunity to take the family on a stroll through free science, history, or art museums. Museums also provide programs and activities that are geared towards families on these days, making your visit even more meaningful.
Attend Library Events
Libraries are not only where one goes to take out books. Their free events include everything from storytime for the little ones to craft workshops and science demonstrations for older kids. Although it is more fun for me, libraries are a fantastic option to keep kids entertained AND learning for free.
DIY Science Experiments at Home
Create a science lab at home with experiments you make yourself — think things that will help your kids understand physics, chemistry, and biology. You can even do simple experiments such as making a volcano of baking soda and vinegar or forming water cycle in a bag using stuff that you will find at your home.
Engaged play and educational activities that balance entertainment with learning.
How to Plan a Family Vacation on a Budget
Going on a family vacation does not have to break the bank. Family vacations can be planned for around two thousand pesos. With some careful thought though, you can plan an affordable vacation that will create lasting memories for your family but also keep the spending in check.
Opt for Staycations
Instead of a long trek to some remote destination, take a staycation and go visit the sites in your own town that people travel great distances to see. You could take a drive to the state park, go see a local historical site, or head down the road to a new town for the day. It saves you plenty of money on accommodations as well as transportation, and thus serves to be an affordable trip.
Choose your accommodations wisely (hence the book)
If you go away on vacation, be careful about where you stay. Some examples are vacation rentals, campgrounds, or even family friendly hotels that also provide discounts to free meals for kids. Most of us know that a hotel is not an option for a family, especially if you have to eat every night on the road, so consider some great home-cooking styles through vacation rental sites like Airbnb.
Visit During Off-Seasons
Check the off-season dates and book your tickets in that duration which can get you to save more on your flights, accommodations, attractions or activities. This way, your family can experience some of the most visited spots at a fraction of the cost and without peak travel season crowds.
While it’s budget-friendly to travel on a shoestring, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the fun but let your spending count.
Conclusion
Making memories with the kids doesn’t have to break the bank. Discover these clever money-saving strategies for family activities — fun that isn’t always costly. Many local resources and events which are free, you can do things in your home (especially during the very hot, cold or rainy months) to bond with your family on a budget.
With a little foresight, creativity and the tools at your disposal you can affordably create memories that will last a lifetime for the whole family.
