The recession has hit families the hardest of all. When money is tight, one of the luxuries many families with children will have to forgo is the annual vacation. Unfortunately, it?s during times of tough economic stress that Moms, Dads, and kids could use some relaxation even more than before. With that in mind, here are five ways you and your family can unwind and enjoy each other?s company without breaking the bank.
#1) Have a Picnic
It seems like an idea out of the 1950s, but when was the last time your family went on a real picnic? Pick a spot in your own town with some beautiful scenery and lots of space (chances are you haven?t been there in years), and pack sandwiches and homemade snacks that the whole family enjoys. Take along some props for outdoor fun, like Frisbees or water guns, and spend some time just letting loose and playing with your children. They?ll never forget it.
#2) Play a Game
Family game nights are becoming more and more popular as many households just can?t afford a night out as much as they used to. If your kids groan at the prospect, include them in the planning and the game selection. Classic games like Monopoly and Clue usually please a range of ages, or older kids might have fun with card games. How about a family poker night with a few batches of chocolate chip cookies as the stakes?
#3) Watch a Movie
Staying at home with a DVD doesn?t have to be a boring night in. Customize your movie night around a theme, whether it?s a specific nationality, a certain movie star, or a time period. Choose movies accordingly and cook up dinner or snacks to suit the theme. Disney?s Mulan might make a perfect match with some spicy noodles and mini egg rolls, for example. Let the kids take turns choosing theme each week, and you can have fun yourself coming up with the cuisine.
#4) Get Outside
Organizing a family sports game could end up being a regular family tradition. Choose your sport, whether it?s baseball, touch football, volleyball, or whatever you have the equipment for. For fun, you can divide the teams by gender or age (grownups versus kids and teens can be a tougher game than you?d expect). Don?t be surprised if the whole neighborhood wants in on the game. Let them join and you?ll increase the fun as well as the memories.
#5) Tour Your Own Town
It?s amazing how many people take in every tourist attraction on their trips, yet haven?t seen many of the historical sights in their own area. Find some low-cost (or sometimes free) local landmarks, historical homes, or small museums and spend the day learning about your own town?s heritage. Be sure to include your own personal history. Take your children on a tour of some of the spots that hold meaning for you, such as your old schools, homes, or even places you used to play.
Once you spend some time doing simpler things with your family, you?ll discover that it?s not the fancy vacation spot that leads to the longtime memories. It?s the time spent together. No one needs to spend a week?s salary on theme park tickets. Most of what you already need to create family fun is already around you.
Source: http://webmomsplace.com/2013/06/23/free-family-fun-ideas/
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