Inexpensive Family Fun (Home Edition)
- Topic:
Entertainment
- Article By:
Sherri
- Photo:
In these tough economic times we are all looking for ways to cut back on expenses in what ever way we can afford to.
Recreation is just one example of where people are cutting costs. This is especially difficult during the cold winter months where without the beaches and the parks there isn't much free stuff do, but we've got some ideas of how you can spend less on recreation and still have fun with your family!
1. Dinner and a Movie
Have your dinner and a movie nights turned into what ever is in the fridge and a rental night? If so, try this...
a.) Make it special; make sure the evening is still set aside as a special evening. Eating dinner at home doesn't mean that it has to be boring. Have one of your favorite home cooked (kid friendly) meals on that night; cheeseburgers and fries with chips and soda, home made pizza with chips and soda, tacos, fried chicken, spaghetti and meatballs with salad and bread sticks or Italian bread, etc. you get the idea... make it fun!
b.) Pick a movie that everyone will enjoy. There are a few ways to save on movie rental costs too. If movie night is a regular with your family try Netflix.com an online movie subscription plan where you pay one small monthly fee (fee depends on how many movies you want to have out at once), there are no due dates and no late fees.
There is also Red Box which is springing up all over the place. It's literally a big red box full of movies, and can usually be found at grocery stores and even some convenience stores. Red Box allows you to rent as many movies as you want for just $1. each. They do have to be returned by the next evening or you will automatically be charged an additional $1. for each movie not returned. Payment is made by using either a credit card or debit card.
And lastly, if video rental stores still exist where you live you can look online ahead of time for rental coupons. For example not too long ago you could often find printable coupons for places like Hollywood Video and Blockbuster Video which will offer specials like 'Rent 1 Get 1 Free' etc.
c. ) Set the mood. One advantage of movie night at home is that you can wear whatever you want, well almost whatever, but just until the kids go to bed then it's whatever you want!
Grab a bunch of pillows and blankets and turn off all of the lights but one. Leave one small light on in the background so that no one trips going to the bathroom and so that every one can see their snacks!
d.) Snacks! Again having movie night at home allows you to snack on things you love but may not be able to have at the theater such as cake and ice cream, or any other home made favorite. And of course you can still do popcorn and candy; try microwave popcorn for a quick and easy snack, and grab a few cheap bags of candy when you go out to get your movie and make each person a baggie of their own with zip-loc bags.
Total cost for the evening: Totally up to you!
2. Game Night
Taking the whole family out bowling or to miniature golf etc. can get expensive fast, but you can still interact with the kids and have fun at home too. Try a game night. It's really not that lame and it can be fun for you too! The thing I enjoy the most about playing games with my son is seeing how much he enjoys it, and laughing together... laughter is the best medicine during these stressful times!
Try different things and you'll soon find out what works for your family.
Some ideas:
a.) Board Games: There are a lot of board games to choose from these days in different price ranges, starting around $10. the average being around $20. - $30.
Fun with the younger ones: Candy Land, Guess Who etc.
Fun with the older ones: Risk, Monopoly (which ever version you enjoy), Clue Mysteries, Scrabble etc.
With the whole family: Group games like Taboo, Gestures, Twister, Scene It, etc.
b.) Cards: You only need one deck of cards to play several different games.
Fun with the younger ones: Crazy Eights, Old Maid, Slap Jack, Memory etc.
Fun with the older ones: Rummy, Queen of Spades, Spades, Poker, Whist, Speed etc. With multiple decks of cards there is also the exciting fast paced game called Nerts!
3) Invent Your Own
A lot of families have fun making up their own games or there own versions of other games. For example:
a.) Hide & Seek... in the house... in the dark! Need I say more?
b.) Ghetto Bowling: I'm sure that my family is not the only one that has created their own bowling alley at home. We call ours "ghetto bowling"! When we couldn't afford to go to the actual bowling alley we made our own. At the end of our hallway we set up empty soda bottles for the pins and used whatever small balls we could find as the bowling balls. It turned out to be a lot of fun. Invite the kids to help create your own family version!
4) Enjoy the Snow!
There may not be warm sunny beaches and parks for most of us this winter but we can still get outside together. I don't care what anyone says, you are never too old to go sledding or build a snowman... especially when you have your own kids, or nieces and nephews, or grandchildren, or friends children... to play with.
Don't forget the Hot Chocolate!
So, what's your family doing for fun these days? Do you have some good, inexpensive recreation ideas? Please share them with us!
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