You don’t have to spend a fortune to spend time with the family. Weekend plans and summer plans can be very fun with little or no money spent. It takes a little creativity and imagination for a family outing that is a blast for everyone and safe on the pocket.
Tour Your Town
Many people don’t know what they have in their own hometown. You could live near an historical place and never visit it because you take it for granted. Tour your own town. Pretend you don’t live there and see what others see. Look up at buildings and see the old architectural designs. See the parks and the waterways. Have fun rediscovering your home. My toddler girl and my younger boy love to tour the town we live in their tandem jogging stroller. My husband and I are very glad they do.
Check out the Parks
Every town has at least one park. Some have a system of great parks. You could find swing sets, pools, ponds, and roller skating rinks. Check out the parks around you. Take a picnic. Throw a ball or a Frisbee. Lay back and watch the clouds form. Do hair mutually. Read. Draw. Take pictures. Make a movie. It can be so much fun.
Camp in the Backyard
You don’t have to have fancy camping equipment or spend the gas driving to a park. You can camp in your own backyard. This can be fun and exciting as you use your imagination and tell stories to each other. If a fire pit outside is allowed, roast marshmallows. You’ll forget you are camping near home until you have to go to the bathroom, and then you’ll be thankful.
Go Fishing
Fishing can be fun for the whole family. Even if you don’t have a rod and reel, use a sturdy stick like Huckleberry Finn did. This can be fun as you sit around waiting on the fish to bite or spend all your time catching and releasing. You might even get supper while you’re at it.
Visit Free Museums
Museums don’t always charge to get in. Some are always free. Some have discount days. Some have free days. Check your local museum schedule and find out. You’d be amazed at how easy and cheap it is to get in and enjoy the cool during the summer and the warmth in the winter. Talk to the museum about special days where just bringing canned food for the homeless gets you in free.
Be creative. Have fun. Let your imagination take you to places without robbing your pocket book.
Amy is a mother of two and an editor of Livesnet writing about baby product reviews and parenting tips. All her articles are easy to follow and are based on established research and personal experience.
