Children are bored easily. Entertaining them can cost a lot of money. You should find things that you can do, that will save money. You can save money, as well as have family time. Children need this more now than ever.
Things to do:
Plan a day at the park: Find out how many parks you have in your area. Visit a new one each week. This keeps your children interested. Have a picnic, and play games. Take a camera with you, and let them put a book together about the parks.
Use your local library: Plan a trip to your local library. Make it a fun experience. Let your children walk around and learn new things about the library each time. Have your children pick books, and maybe even a movie. They do not cost anything.
Play Restaurant: Before dinner, have your children prepare a menu. The menu should include your main course, sides, deserts, and drinks. Let the children ask for guests orders. If you have more than one child, let them take turns at different things. You may also want them to help with dinner preparation. Make it a game, and a learning experience.
Plan a nature walk: Even if you live in the city, there are areas to have a nature walk. Have you children collect leaves, or other specimen. They can take them home, and find out what they are. If you do not want a lot of things brought home, take a camera. Have your children take pictures, or show you what to take pictures of. You can then pull the pictures up, and identify them.
Plan a family fun night: Most of us have games or movies. Make it a night. Play a couple of games, make snacks, and watch a movie. This is perfect for children, and it gives you family time. Have them be involved with everything.
Find local children workshops: There are places that have workshops for children, and most are free. Home Depot has a great program at most locations, and your local library offers activities as well. Do a search to find out any other locations in your area.
Water fun: During the summer children love to be outside, and water is a must. Have water balloon fights with your children. They will love seeing you run around like a big kid. You can also use a sprinkler. Your grass needs to be watered, why not make it fun. Put your bathing suits on, and enjoy.
Work in the garden: Children love helping. Let them help you when you are gardening. They can pull weed, or help you plant seeds. Designate one plant that can be there responsibility. They will enjoy having something that is there’s.
Camping: A camping trip can be fun, but you do not have to leave home. Pitch a tent in your back yard, and have a small fire. Tell stories, roast marshmallows, have smores, and tell stories. You can also do this inside, without the fire. Make a tent with sheets, turn out the lights, and have flashlights.
Bubbles: Make your own bubbles using dish liquid and water. You can make different shaped wands with paper clips.
Crafts: Crafts are always fun for children. Find different things that you can do with them. I enjoy making salt colors and putting them in jars. Use salt and chalk. Rub different colors in chalk. The chalk changes to that color. Layer different colors in a jar. This is fun, and creative.
Local Tourist: Act like a tourist in your area. Find local landmarks to take trips to. You can use maps, and other things that will help your children learn different things.
All of these things basically cost nothing. You can entertain your children for little or no money, just be creative. Ask your children what things they would like to do. If you give them options, they may enjoy it more because they chose it.
Everyone is watching there money. Doing these different family things will save money, and keep your family together.
