Here’s a question for you: When’s the last time your family left the house at night without the intention of spending money?
One of the things my wife and I have realized recently is that we rarely leave the house in the evenings unless we are spending money. We are either going to the store, the mall, a movie, or do some kind of shopping (side note: isn’t it sad that we call shopping “entertainment”). Even if we are simply intent on spending quality time together as a family we are still spending money. We are going to dinner, going out for ice cream, or going bowling (which we’re recently discovered costs waaaaaay more than it used to!), going to get coffee, etc.
One of the challenges of living in the burbs (this is likely true for the city too) is that most of the “fun things to do” require us to spend money.
Now, I am not opposed to spending money but we’ve been trying to be more creative about how we spend our time and therefore our dollars.
Here are some things we’ve found:
- If it is summer time, go watch a local little league baseball game.
- If it’s in the fall, head to a local high school sporting event (some of these cost a few bucks but it’s usually very minimal).
- Go for a walk in your neighborhood.
- Head to the local park and take a walk.
What are some of the things that you do in our community that don’t require money? I would love to hear some suggestions!
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1. Library! Ours has options for all ages. Books, of course, but ours also has plenty of puzzles and manipulative toys for the preschool set as well as educational games for the older kids. Sometimes they sponsor events such as a Wii walk-in playtime, which our kids love since we don’t have one at home.
2. If your kids like to golf, you can go for free to a local public course and they can chip and putt to their hearts’ content. (It helps to go during a time of day when the course is less busy–weekdays instead of weekends, or closer to evening.) Some courses also have practice bunkers to use. Fun for parents and kids who love the sport, or it’s a great way to start introducing them to learn. Professionals who teach children always start from the green then work towards the big clubs!
3. Similarly on the sports theme: tennis courts at local public schools are free to use! High schools are ideal because they have so many courts. Go in the morning early enough and you won’t have to wait long.
4. One recent activity our family did together was actually a service project. We took our three boys (8, 5, and 3 years old) to a homeless shelter in the city to serve a meal and spend time with the residents. OK, this did cost some money as we brought the food, so technically this may not count. It was our first time doing this as a family, and our kids had a wonderful time. They had the chance to share their gift of music making and were so affirmed by the women at the shelter. It took some effort in terms of meal-planning and cooking, but our kids would tell you that it was great fun for them, and they learned wonderful lessons about building relationships with others who are living a completely different reality than they are out in the suburbs.
5. Pack a picnic meal and take it anywhere that is scenic and green! Food always tastes better outdoors!
There are just a few ideas for you. I’m sure there are tons more out there and I look forward to reading them!
Helen, great ideas! Thanks for contributing!
My wife has been taking our boys to the library during the day and they are loving it.
Your golf idea made me remember that my oldest son and I have played Disc Golf at a local park a few time with some of our friends and their sons. It’s not only free and fun but it’s also great exercise!
Can’t believe I didn’t mention service projects! It doesn’t really get any better than that!
I to enjoy the disc golf! I have found this not only for a friendly get out of the house activity but excellent for youth and building bridges with other people. Many times a disc can be very inexpensive and the continual use is awesome!
I wanted to throw out there as well the thought of friends with boats. I personally own a boat and will always take people out if they ask. I have found that families and friends have really enjoyed a trip out and most boat owners are looking for an excuse to get out of the house and on the boat!
Group games in a park is always a great activity too. It seems that many times we gather around the kitchen table for games, but rarely to we get our friends together in the park for croquet, ultimate Frisbee, boccie and so forth. Many parks have facilities available to use if you bring the equipment. Alot of times I shop yard sales and frequently get equipment for free if I am already purchasing something from them.
Thanks for the reminder about being creative with our entertainment!
This is very true, anytime we leave the house we tend to spend money. We have started to find a lot of free events, but normally they center around Friday nights.
We also like to go to:
Museums – (Most in NC are free)
Dog Park – it is fun to go see other people’s dogs and kids love it, usually
Movies – I know some places have summer movies for free for kids
Just a few thoughts, also it is really inexpensive to become a member at a local zoo, they normally charge a little more than two admissions and they have all kinds of events throughout the year. Some of my most frugal friends are members of a couple places like this and they wear it out!
i agree with helen, the library is one idea that our family has embraced. have my wife to thank for making this happen.
we have the fortune of living in a “lake community” so we are able to go there, connect with neighbors, have a good time, all without spending money.
thanks for stimulating this kind of thinking todd!
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