Once again are glad to welcome some frugal thoughts from our friends over at Coupon Mountain:
Family Entertainment for Less
Sticking to a budget when you have kids can be difficult, especially when you take the family out for a weekend of fun. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to have a great time with your family. Below are some ways you and your family can go out for fun without emptying your bank account.
1. Watch movies at home instead of going to the theaters. There are plenty of cheaper alternatives to movie theatres, such as Redbox or Blockbuster Express. You can rent these movies for just a few dollars, which means renting a movie for the whole family will cost you less than one movie ticket! Sometimes your movie choices may be limited, but it will be well worth the savings. Save your money for the theaters only when there is something that you really want to see, or visit the theaters at times when the ticket prices are cheaper.
2. Check with your city for free events. Many cities host free events for children and their families at the local parks and recreation centers. Events usually include things like crafts, movie nights, and even flea markets. Check on your city’s website to see what kind of events are offered. They generally occur more often during summer, but there are still plenty of things to do on weekends.
3. Seek local carnivals instead of pricey amusement parks. Many churches, schools, and other local organizations often have special carnival events with rides, games, and food. City and county fairs also offer the same entertainment for a small admission fee. These are great alternatives to amusement parks which can put a huge dent in your wallet just to get your family in the park.
4. Invest in a board game or video game that the whole family can enjoy. Although board games are quickly becoming an outdated form of entertainment, they can still be very fun! Take your family to the store and find one that everyone likes. If you have a video game console, consider getting a game that the whole family can play for hours. There are many party style games that are simple and allow many people to play at once. You can find some pretty affordable games, especially if you buy them used or from a smaller publisher.
5. Visit a park or a free museum. Most cities have beautiful parks that you can visit any day of the week. Take your whole family on a picnic, and bring the family pets along too! If there are free or cheap museums in your area, take your family for an educational outing. Museums can be a great way to spend time with your family while learning something new.
About the Author: Kiley Theiring is a film student at Chapman University who also loves to write. She writes about saving money and living frugally for Coupon Mountain and also maintains her own personal blog.
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