14 Creative Activities for Families on a Budget
Few people who have children will disagree that raising children and keeping them entertained has the potential to get wildly expensive. It seems no matter where you go, you are expected to pull out your wallet and fork over 3+ figures to engage in any activity. For our family, something as simple as going to the movies can easily run us over $100 between tickets and concessions. But you don’t always have to break the bank to create fun memories with your children. There are a few inexpensive activities out there that have little to no barrier to entry.
Here are some budget-friendly activities your young kiddos will enjoy:
Go to the library. Libraries are one of the greatest inventions of civilization, in my opinion. Nowhere else in the world provides egalitarian access to information the way libraries do. Of course, you could argue that the Internet provides information just the same, but you would need to pay for access to the Internet to use it. When you go to a library, you don’t have to pay for anything unless you’re late returning your books or you need to print stuff out. One of the wonderful things about the library is that they almost always have a children’s section stocked with books, toys, chairs, tables, bean bags, you name it. The library near me offers scheduled reading sessions that kids can attend with their parents. Attending these types of activities also provides the opportunity to get to know people in the community, which is not always easy to do given our increasingly individualistic lifestyles.
Go to the beach. I know I’ve mentioned the beach as a place to go with your children in so many of my articles. That’s because it’s one of the few places people can go without the expectation of spending money. I’ve only seen a couple of instances where people have to pay a small fee to park their car closer to the beach, but if you’re willing to walk a little bit, you wouldn’t have to pay that. Beaches offer a versatile outdoor experience, including swimming, playing in the sand, laying out to work on your tan, etc. Nothing beats the salty air and the wavy beach hair that follows a beach trip.
Go to a nearby park. I’m very fortunate that there is no shortage of parks near me. The park nearest to my home, which is where I would typically take my daughter if we were going to the park, has two playgrounds, a soccer field, pavilions that can be rented for special occasions, a basketball court, and docks nearby where people go fishing. Canoes and kayaks can also be rented for a fee. Every time we take our daughter there, it is full of children having fun and living their best lives. And not a single dime has to be spent.
Take your family to a spring. This activity isn’t typically completely free (springs in my state usually cost around $5 - $10 per vehicle per visit) but it’s a lot more affordable than other activities. Depending on which spring you go to, they usually offer several recreational activities, including swimming, tubing, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking on a trail near the water, etc. You can bring your own food and any equipment you want if you don’t want to spend any money once you get there.
Sidewalk art. For the cost of some sidewalk chalk, you and your artsy little ones can keep yourselves occupied all day with this activity. You and your kids get to be a little creative, and it gets you out of the house.
Go hiking, if your little ones aren’t too little. Hiking is something I used to love doing before I became a mom and got super busy all the time. The simple act of walking through a wooded area is so calming and satisfying. It’s not as easy to do now with a little one, but if your kids are older than toddlers, they may enjoy this activity. Be careful not to hit a hiking trail during hunting season (like me and my husband did once).
Have a pool day. If you don’t have your own pool or a community pool nearby, you can always attend a public pool. The pools near where I live aren’t usually completely free - there is a small fee to get in. The cost is around $3 - $6 per person per visit, but that beats a 4-figure trip to Disney World, in terms of money saved.
Teach your kids the power of volunteering. Okay, not all kids are going to enjoy this one - unless you’re taking them to volunteer at an animal shelter, perhaps. Nonetheless, I think volunteering teaches younger generations a few valuable life lessons - to give to others when they can, how to empathize with different kinds of people, and how to be kind to everyone no matter what their situation is. Although not all of us feel very privileged all the time, we are. Simply having a roof over our heads and food in our bellies at all times - that is a privilege. And it’s a lot more than what some other people have. The ability to feel empathy often comes naturally to people at a young age, but it can also be taught through the power of giving. And if you’re not looking to spend any money, you need only to provide your time and labor.
Have a movie day or night at home. The vibes are never more immaculate than when you’re at home with your loved ones in the comfiest clothes ever, with snacks and beverages nearby. Given the busy, non-stop lifestyles most of us lead, an entire day at home rotting with your family in front of a TV sounds fantastic. Productivity is not needed every single day.
Hit a local museum. Not all museums are free, but many of them are. Likewise, some museums that normally charge admission have free admission days. Whether your kids are into art, history, or science, you’re likely to find a low or no-cost museum everyone will enjoy if you look for it.
DIY craft day. Use stuff you already have in your house to create beautiful works of art. If you have cardboard boxes, shoeboxes, old magazines, glitter, or anything else, then you and the kids can make something worth keeping for decades. In the 8th grade, one of my English projects was to use an old shoebox and glue/tape things onto it that meant something to me. I clipped images from magazines and photos to accomplish this. I still have that project in my closet, 19 years later. That simple project turned into a “memory box” where I would keep memorabilia from every stage of my life going forward. It has old ticket stubs, photos, keychains from when I was a kid, a cellphone from when I was still in high school, and so much more. I wouldn’t throw that old box away for anything. It has truly become a time capsule for me. I can’t wait to show my daughter the contents of it when she gets older.
Teach your little ones how to cook something. This one will highly depend on your kids’ ages, but if they’re old enough (maybe 10 or older), they might be ready to learn how to cook simple meals. Basic dishes could include foods like eggs, pasta, rice, and roasted vegetables. As a side note, cooking is a life skill, not a gender role. I wouldn’t want to tell anyone how to parent their sons, but I will say that teaching them to cook won’t hurt them in the slightest - or the women they court in the future.
Start a small garden in your backyard or on your windowsill. Starting a huge garden in your backyard can be quite costly but you don’t need to do all that. Just purchase a couple of different kinds of seeds and plant them together with your little ones. You can also use seeds from fruits and vegetables you’ve eaten. As a bonus, gardening can teach your little ones about nature, healthy eating, patience, and how to be responsible for something.
Start a weekly game night tradition. You don’t need to spend very much on a game night - just work with whatever games you already have at home. You can play Uno (a favorite for my family), Monopoly, or just good old-fashioned playing cards. Regular game nights can also teach little ones how to play fair and how to lose gracefully… a skill I haven’t quite learned yet myself. Make sure everyone has their favorite snacks and you’re good to go.
In our increasingly money-dependent world, it can be difficult to find inexpensive or free activities to do with the kids. However, it’s not impossible. By not spending money everywhere you go, you end up saving money for the things that really matter to you. And sometimes, the activities that cost the least can mean the most.
XOXO, Alexis.