Fun, Frugal & Budget-Friendly Family Activities

Having fun with the family is a must, but how can you do that on a budget? We’re sharing engaging and memorable ideas for having family fun while going easy on your wallet.   

1. Focus on the important things about family activities.  

The important things about family activities are: 

  1. Spending quality time together 
  2. Sharing an experience 
  3. Making memories
  4. Getting to know each unique family member in a new or closer way  

Things that aren’t important? Souvenirs, spending lots of money, traveling long distances, impressing others, etc.

2. Tap into the special interests of your kid/kids by tailoring activities to them.

Think of thrifty ways to enrich their interests.

  1. Have a child into drama and stories? Take them to a high school theater production. Many communities offer movies in the park during the summer months.
  2. Have a budding artist? Explore a local art museum. Look for free/reduced-cost programs at a local library or art center. Attend a local arts and crafts festival. Make a picture book together using kid-friendly drawing tutorials on youtube.
  3. Have a nature lover? Check out the trails at your local, county, state, or national parks. Pack a lunch and have a picnic along the trail. Collect leaves and other items for a homemade scrapbook. 
  4. Have a child who loves to be in motion? Find a list of the best local playgrounds in your area. There are some neat, themed playgrounds, fairytales, dragons and knights, farms, etc. Make a point to travel to each playground over the next few months. Pack a snack and some water to extend your enjoyment. 
  5. Technology lover? Gamer? This kid may be really happy if you just played Minecraft, Smash Bros, or Mario Kart together for a couple of hours. Make it a special day. Take turns picking games, playing music, etc. Grab a blanket and raid the fridge for a game-break snack picnic.
  6. Wherever you go, be sure to ask about available discounts or scholarships.  Many museums, musical performances, and theaters offer discounts for children/ students or may have some days or times of day when tickets are offered at a discount. Some places also have free or reduced-cost tickets or programs for qualifying families through scholarship programs. 

3. See where imagination will take you.

Kids have such great imaginations. Sometimes it’s the adults who over plan family activities when kids would be happy with something far simpler. 

  • If you have younger children, find a cardboard box and use crayons and markers to color it into a car or truck. They’ll tire you out as you’re the engine “driving” their car around town (the house). Pull into the living room for a “drive-in” movie. Serve popcorn, candy or carrot sticks, and make it a memorable family event.
  • Older kids may enjoy making their own board game modeled after a favorite video game, subject in school, or even your own family. Again, all you need is a piece of cardboard, markers, and a bit of creativity. Make it a family project, and this activity is nearly free and checks all the “important things” boxes for family activities. 
  • Have an old-fashioned game night. Grab a deck of cards and look up family card games. Games like charades and pictionary can be played with just a piece of paper and imagination. Create your own categories and have fun. Invite some family or friends over and ask each family to bring a snack to share. 
  • Create a Family Olympics with special indoor and outdoor events. Look around at items you already have to create your events and task the children with making a “trophy” out of found items. Involve the family in creating the events. For example, you can make a simple ring toss game by cutting out the center of a plate and tossing it around a water bottle. Create a relay race with a silly task in the middle to complete-like matching socks or answering a family trivia question.  

If you ever worry about having family activities on a budget, please read #1 again. The activities that bring your family together for quality time are priceless, even if they are cheap.