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If you are tired of the same dinner and a movie routine and you would like fresh ideas that won't break the bank, you've come to the right spot. I've compiled 100 cheap ideas for a family of 4 to participate in. All of these ideas are $100 or less. However, you can spend a lot less than that if you would like. To cut your expenses even more, read my article on saving money on family entertainment. Then browse the category that corresponds with the amount you would like to spend. After you've finished reading over 100 ideas, feel free to post your own ideas.
Free
There are tons of things that you can do as a family for free. Here are some suggestions.
1. Have a picnic – cook some sandwiches and pack a basket, then head to your favorite outdoor spot. Don't forget to bring the Frisbee for some extra fun.
2. Swim – head to your local water hole, lake, or river for some family fun.
3. Dance – compile your favorite and your kids' favorite songs onto your Ipod or visit www.projectplaylist.com to play your favorite tunes on your computer. Then let off some steam and dance the night away. Also, get out the Dance, Dance Revolution or Guitar Hero game if you have it already.
4. Watch t.v. – it is no longer necessary to have cable in order to see good family-friendly tv shows. Go to www.hulu.com on your pc or laptop and see some older family favorites in their vast library. Also visit the websites for your favorite cable networks like ABC or CBS. Most networks have full episodes available online.
5. Take a hike – climb a nearby mountain or go on a local nature trail. Sometimes it just takes some fresh air and a little bit of exercise to relax and enjoy time as a family.
6. Teach a skill – today more and more teenagers are leaving the family home without the basic skills to survive. Teach your children to cook, your daughter how to change a flat tire, or your son some basic sewing skills. Your kids might not be that excited at first, but they will appreciate it later – especially when your kid is in college and he can make something for dinner besides Ramen noodles.
7. Snap pics – with the influx of traffic to sites like FaceBook, MySpace, and other social networking sites, your kids (and you) are probably in need of new, updated pics. Take a few days throughout the year to go explore, have fun, and take pictures of each other. Use these more appropriate, positive pictures in place of some of the trashy ones that seem to be prevalent on these sites.
8. Volunteer – put some of your free time to good use by collecting food for a local food bank, feeding the homeless, providing free babysitting to college mothers, visit the elderly at a local nursing home, or help out at the local animal shelter. You can also help support a local political candidate to office. Not only will you find use for your idle time, but you will also be making a tremendous difference in the world around you.
9. Geocaching – many local parks, as well as a wide variety of businesses and individuals, offer this activity. This is a modern treasure hunt where you use your GPS unit to find “treasure.” The coordinates are online and you can seek out hundreds or thousands of these in your area. Sign the list to be remembered as a modern treasure hunter.
10. Go to the farm – there are many farms and similar venues across the country that can serve as a teaching ground for your children. Call local farms or check in your local papers to see if there are any opportunities available like a milking the cow demonstration, hay rides, pony rides, orchard picking, or corn field mazes. A breath of fresh air is all your kids might need to get their creative minds stimulated.
11. Find free venues – all across the country there are places where you can go as a family that don't cost you a thing: local fishing wells, walking trails, playgrounds, rivers, free parades, fairs, outdoor concerts, or community events. Research what is available in your area. Google your state by typing in its name and the phrase “event calendar” to see what is available in your area. A recent family trip landed us about 30 miles away at a free children's art fair: the kids made pottery, painted pictures, completed craft assignments, etc – all for free!
12. Visit your local library – libraries have changed a lot over the last few years. Most modern libraries are now not only a great source for family reading, but now offer you the ability to check out magazines, cd's, movies, and computer time all for free. With this new set up, everyone in the family should be able to find something that interests them. And if you have younger kids, most libraries offer free summer programs or monthly programs. Previous library programs my children have attended include a puppet show, a bilingual storytelling time, a musical program, and a pool party. Again, all of the programs are free!
13. Make your own library – get together with some friends and start trading out existing materials including books, board games, movies, season passes to entertainment sites, and anything else you can think of. Be sure you keep an accounting of what belongs to whom to avoid any problems. Allow each family to swap with the others. This way you and your kids will get new materials to use for entertainment, while you don't spend a dime!
14. Fly a kite!
15. Join a youth group – many churches offer free youth group programs that might include anything from cookouts, hay rides, lock-ins, movies, and travel.
16. Play basketball – outside or at a local gym.
17. Go to an outdoor concert – check around for local outdoor events. You can find free concerts at local fairs. Or some places offer continuous music entertainment like Beale Street in Memphis.
18. Go to an expo – many areas will have occasional expos that will help teach people certain skills. You may see a free cooking exhibition, a woman's self-defense demonstration, or a tutorial on basic car maintenance. You also usually get some free materials with this type of outing as well.
Seasonal Activities
19. Check out the local Christmas lights in your community.
20. Join a Christmas caroling group.
21. Go sledding.
22. Take a hay ride.
23. View an Easter reenactment at a local church.
24. Go on a community Easter egg hunt.
25. Carve pumpkins.
26. Play in the snow.
$1-$25
If you are up to spending a little bit of money, but still want to keep those purse strings tight here are some ideas for you:
27. Rent a movie – forget about local video stores. Visit your local Redbox location. For a little over $1 you can rent a new release as long as you return it before the following evening. Do you watch a lot of movies? Try Netflix where you can get unlimited movie rentals for well under $25. Don't forget to buy some microwave popcorn. Even if you thrown in some soft drinks and candy, you'll still spend tons less than you would if you went to the theatre.
28. Try outdoor activites – buy a volleyball or badminton net for outside and play outside. Buy a horseshoe kit from the store and have a tournament. Buy some balloons and fill them up with water and have a water balloon war.
29. See discount movies – visit a discount movie theatre where they show just one or two shows. These are much less popular and much cheaper than traditional cinemas.
30. Visit your local bookstore – here you will find various activities for the whole family. Your daughter can read through popular magazines, you can read part of a new novel, your son can check out the newest cd's and your wife can check the local travel section to start planning the next family vacation. Buy some coffee at the adjoining shop as you enjoy your relaxing day. Don't forget to visit the used book section for some great deals or check out the local event calendar for upcoming events like poetry readings or book signings.
31. Check into your local park services – Many local, city, state, or national parks offer a variety of activities for a low cost. Some offer swimming, fishing, kayaking, paddle boats, guided tours, and horseback riding. Check the following website to see where your local parks are and then follow the links to your local parks to see what your community has to offer.
32. Find out what's available – check into your local YMCA or community center to see what extracurricular activities are available. Programs can range from martial arts classes to dance classes to sport activities. These facilities will provide these programs for much cheaper than local, private businesses.
33. Have a camp-out – have a camping experience by going out into the wilderness, your own backyard, or even put up a tent in your living room and have a camp-in. Make the day special by using your existing camping equipment like lanterns and sleeping bags, make fire (or barbecue) roasted food and smores and take turns telling scary ghost stories.
34. Invest in board games – although not for every one, board games can provide hours of family entertainment for a small initial investment. Try to find a game that matches your family's personality: Yahtzee for dice lovers, Trivial Pursuit for brainiacs, SceneIt for couch potatoes, Twister for mobile families, Pictionary for artists, CatchPhrase for the loquacious ones. Tired of the same games? Organize a swap with some of your friends where you all bring some of the games you're ready to trade for a “new-to-you” game.
35. Paint by number – visit your local craft supply shop and get 4 paint by number kits. Paint and then hang your masterpieces!
36. Visit an arcade – give each person $5 worth of quarters and play games, air hockey, pool, or ski ball.
37. Rent a canoe – check with your local park or private business that rents out water sport supplies. Then spend the day taking in the scenery and relaxing by your favorite water location.
38. Have a scavenger hunt – prepare a list of items to look for ahead of time and give each family member a printed handout. You can list several different items or historical questions and then head around town to find them. Or you can keep the hunt more open by saying “find the wackiest hat for under $5″ and then head to your local flea markets. Your kids will quickly feel the competition and you will be amazed at what treasure you can unearth.
39. Have water fun – buy some cheap water guns or a discount water slide and turn on the sprinkler.
40. Go back to school – visit your local school to view basketball, football, baseball, or other sports games as a family.
41. Make a puzzle – buy a multi-thousand piece puzzle and complete it together as a family. Put some puzzle glue on it and frame your accomplishment. Take it down and replace it when you're ready to try it again.
42. Prepare for the holiday – construct a gingerbread house, make monster cupcakes, or make Easter bunny paper puppets.
$25-50
If you'd like to spend a little bit more money for a little bit more fun, try these ideas.
43. Ride go karts – go on go-karts, bumper cars, or use remote control vehicles.
44. Go Bowling – go bowling, especially on a blackout night.
45. Go Golfing – whether you visit a traditional course, a driving range, or a miniature course, going golfing can be a great family outing.
46. Play Lazer tag – visit your local arena for a new twist on the old game of tag.
47. Rollerskate, rollerblade.
48. Visit the ice rink.
49. Go to the batting cage.
50. Go to a drive in movie – although there are not nearly as many of these around today as a few decades ago, many communities still have drive in movie theatres. Given this option, you could just pay for your admission and bring your own food. To see which drive in movies are still available in your area go to www.driveintheater.com .
51. Family sporting time – take up a sport as a family. Invest in some tennis rackets, a badminton net, used bicycles, etc and take part in a sport as a family. While this may involve some initial investment, if you stick with the sport, you will have countless days filled with entertainment, a closer family bond as everyone does something that they enjoy, and a healthier lifestyle. Can't agree on a sport? Divide into groups: The boys can take up racquetball while the girls swim laps in the local pool. Meet up later and share your experiences with each other.
52. Be a tourist for a day – sometimes when you live in a big city you avoid places where there are always tons of tourists. Take a day off during the week and pretend to be a tourist. Go ahead and visit the famous tourist sites in your area.
53. Visit an art museum – there are countless art museums in the country. Try to find one that matches you and your children's personalities and backgrounds, like a more contemporary exhibition, an ethnic collection, or visit an abstract museum and guess what the pictures are.
54. Ride a horse-drawn carriage – many cities, big and small, offer carriage rides. You can load up your family and take a leisurely jaunt around a few blocks as you sip on cocoa.
55. Visit a science museum.
56. Go to the rodeo – view horse riding, bull riding, lassoing, and maybe even a Demolition Derby.
57. Visit a crafts fair.
58. Go to breakfast – instead of the old dinner and a movie routine, switch it up by starting the day out by going out to eat breakfast instead. Breakfast menus are much cheaper than dinner. Then go home and see a movie together.
59. Go to a different restaurant – visit a restaurant that you have never been to before. Go to an authentic Japanese or Indian restaurant where you sit on pillows. Visit a restaurant where the chef prepares your meal in front of you.
60. Go to a magic show – many amateur acts offer a great form of entertainment where they show you multiple tricks and provide comedic relief. Most amateur shows should get you 4 tickets for less than $50.
61. Try the theater – instead of the cinema, head to your local performing arts show or community theater. Although these productions are not professional productions, they should still provide the entertainment that you are looking for.
62. Visit a children's museum.
63. Tour a local brewery, candle-making factory, beverage factory, Amish town, etc.
64. Go to a haunted house.
65. Get lost in a corn maze.
66. Go fishing – check into the cost of fishing licenses in your area and just buy them for the people who will do the actual shopping. Pick up some live bait and head to your local fishing area for a relaxing day on the lake.
67. Go to a yard sale – decide on a certain dollar amount, like $10, per person and visit as many yard sales as it takes until everyone spends their money. This will give everyone a chance to get something “new” while providing entertainment. Since your children will have a budget, they will have to scrutinize their prospective purchases and will not buy the first thing that catches their eye. You can wind up buying several new-to-you items for your household. You can pick up a new book, your spouse can buy a new dvd, your son can buy a toy, and your daughter can buy some funky costume jewelry.
68. Design a Date – each time that you go out, set a specific budget (like $50) and let one member of the family call the shots. This person will be responsible for making all the plans. She will decide where you will go, what type of activity you will do, and will create a budget for the money. Rotate each time that you go out. For example, you may decide to go to a minor league baseball game, your spouse may decide to go to a pottery expo, your son may decide on the zoo, and your daughter may decide on roller skating. This plan will accomplish many things: your family will be assured of quality family time, each person will be sure to complete activities that he would like to do since he will have his own chance to pick the activity, and your children will learn vital finance and budgeting skills.
69. Have a mini-date – instead of having the whole family go out, have just one child and parent go out and then the following week the other two can go out. For example, take your daughter with you for a manicure. Then next week your husband can take your son to a movie matinee.
70. Scrapbook – take some basic supplies you get from your local everything's a dollar store and some old pictures and start to make a family scrapbook. Have different family members complete their own individual pages.
71. Climb – find a local business that has a rock wall and ascend the rock wall.
72. Historical landmark – visit a landmark with an interesting history attached to it such as a mission church, a battlefield, a landmark where an important literary or historical piece was documented, or a museum that features historic artillery or aviation.
73. Dress up – instead of going to a fancy restaurant, create the illusion at home. Splurge on some food that you wouldn't normally buy or find a new recipe online. Set your fine china out and have your kids set the table in a formal manner. Let the adults top it off with a glass of wine. Be sure that everyone is in their dressy clothes. Light some candlesticks to add further ambience.
74. Have a theme night – pick some sort of theme and plan the day around it. Pick a nationality and go with it. For a Mexican fiesta, set out some chips and cheese dip for an appetizer and prepare a meal like enchiladas or quesadillas. Play salsa music in the background. Finish the night off with your favorite J Lo or Latin-American movie like La Bamba, Stand and Deliver, or Selena. Or go with a period piece instead. Go with a Victorian tea and crumpet meal, play classical music, and watch a movie like Emma or the Duchess.
75. Visit an off-the wall location – visit your local wax museum, Guinness Book of World Records site, or the largest ball of yarn site in your area.
76. Shop for early presents – take one child out and shop for the other child's Christmas present. This will probably take hours before your child will be satisfied with what she has selected. Also take the time to shop for the other parent. This outing is best done well before any holidays since prices will be higher during the holiday season.
$50-$75
Get some bang for your buck with these entertainment ideas.
77. Go minor league – instead of springing for professional sports tickets, purchase some tickets for a local minor league baseball team or a college football team. You will still have a great time and your husband will get his need for athletic viewing fulfilled.
78. Go to the circus.
79. Go to a monster truck show.
80. Go to an aviation show.
81. Visit a local waterpark.
82. Join a family organization - sometimes you need to have scheduled meetings in order to be sure that you get necessary time with your family. So join an organization that is known for tightening family bonds such as 4-H, Modern Woodman of America, boyscouts, or girlscouts. Volunteer to run your child's pack or little league sports team.
83. Make something together – the internet is flooded with DIY projects, craft projects, and so on. Find something that you are interested in completing as a family. Although your kids may grudgingly complete the activity at first, they will eventually come around when they see that this means they get extra time with mom and dad. Whether you decide to mosaic a table, make a craft, make gifts for grandparents, or your daughter helps her father make a tree house, making something together will lead to a closer familial bond, as well as a sense of pride in the completed project.
84. Go to the zoo or aquarium.
85. Go to a Build-A-Bear workshop.
86. Go to an auto show – many areas have antique car shows, muscle car shows, or lowrider shows. Find out what's available and your area and make plans to attend.
87. Fair/Carnival – go to your local fair or carnival. Be sure to go during a day when all the rides are free to maximize your budget.
88. Throw a dart – display part of a map of your city or state and have one of your children throw a dart at the map. Wherever that person lands the dart is where your family will go for the day. Drive around the area and sight see. Stop at anything particularly interesting.
$75-$100
For those special splurges, try these entertainment ideas.
89. Go to a motocross show. This extreme sport will surely be a family pleaser.
90. Rent a motorized vehicle – this could be a set of dirt bikes, an ATV, or jet skis.
91. Go to an amusement park.
92. Go to a dinner theater – this interactive format is great for most ages. Dinner is usually served at a small table and you can enjoy your meal with a live play in front of you.
93. Rent a cabin – find an affordable location close to your area where you can rent a cabin in the woods for a night. Go early in the afternoon so you have plenty of time to read, fish, swim, and find other interesting activities to do. Be sure to leave the cell phones and Ipods off so that you can get back in touch with nature and focus on your family.
94. Ride a helicopter. Let the 2 most adventurous members of your family board a helicopter while you and your more cautious child take pictures of the takeoff and landing.
95. Rent a boat. Many businesses offer a variety of boats that you can rent for a day, half a day, or buy the hour. Check into fishing boats, sailboats, or small party boats.
96. Buy a Wii game – Wii has many interactive games designed especially for families. If you have a Wii system, check into buying Wii Fit, Tennis, or Golf.
97. Go on a dinner cruise – Take a boat ride on your local river while enjoying a nice meal with your family.
98. Visit a kid's place – Head to your most annoying local kid's place like Pistol Pete's or Chuck E. Cheese. Yes, there will be thousands of screaming children. Yes, you will get a headache. And yes, your kids will love it.
99. Go rafting – check into affordable one-day white water rafting trips for an adventurous change.
100. Go snorkeling – if you live close to a water front, you may be able to find affordable family snorkeling options.
101. Go to war – check into your local paintball war arena. If this is an activity you think you will do often, you are better off buying your own supplies and just using the arena for more fun. They do also rent out their own paintball guns and sell paint.
102. Take a class – take one class together as a family. There may be a 1 day class available at your local community college, you may head to your local crafts' store like Michaels, or you might find another venue. You could take a class in photography, oil painting, finance, a dutch oven class, or anything else that your family may be interested in.
103. Attend a cultural event – check out local cultural shows that will be in your area. These may be flamenco dancers, a small ballet tour, or a riverdance show. Find cheap tickets and attend the event together for a memorable experience.
So there you have it: 101 ideas for affordable family entertainment. You can cut your existing budget and try some of the cheaper options or splurge occasionally on the higher cost items. Having fun with your family does not have to be expensive. And the less you worry about how much money you used for entertainment, the happier you and your family will be.
By: Samantha Kemp
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