Top Ten Things to Do with Your Kids without Spending Money
March 28th 2009 01:28
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Saving money is all over the news these days: companies are downsizing to do it; consumers are delaying purchases to do it; the government is pumping out money to get us all to quit doing it… Confusing, right? But in a difficult economy, we’re all looking for ways to right-size our lifestyles without totally giving up on the “style” part. So, here are ten things to do to have fun and build memories with your kids, even if you’re on a really tight budget.
1. Go to the Library
Even in the Age of the Internet, the library is still a great place… and it’s free! Read books, check out movies, surf the Web, you name it. And many public libraries have special summer programs, complete with live theater, dance, readings, and other special presentations.
2. Go to the Park
Sometimes, you’ve just got to turn off the Wii or the X Box and go outside to play! Most communities have parks with play equipment, but even if your neighborhood only sports vacant lots within easy walking distance, it’s still a great place to stretch those limbs and air out the lungs.
3. Tell Stories
Even the most sophisticated youngsters like to hear stories, especially if they’re family stories. If you’re blessed with grandparents nearby, harvest their memories and share them with your kids. Every body wins!
4. Fly a Kite
Just like the song says, “Let’s go fly a kite.” Kites can be had very inexpensively, and all you need after that is some wind. There’s something about watching a kite in the sky that sort of liberates the kid in all of us. (In this connection, also see #2, above)
5. Read Together
Whether it’s in the reading room at the local library, or snuggled up on a couch at home, kids love to be read to, even if they’re already readers themselves. Take some time to get together over a favorite book… you’ll be glad you did!
6. Explore Your Neighborhood
It’s amazing what you can see when you actually look. Take a walk around the block; spot out-of-state license plates, find the letters of the alphabet on signs, see how many different types of birds you can spot… the possibilities are almost endless!
7. Play Games
Whether you’re into Boggle, Scrabble, Monopoly, chess, or hearts, kids will love playing games with you. In fact, it’s kind of amazing the conversations you can have during a hard fought round of Pictionary or Cranium.
8. Watch TV
Okay, here’s one you might not have expected. But instead of using TV as couch potato time, actively watch TV with your kids after carefully selecting a show of educational, historical, or other special interest. Discuss themes, characters, plot, and setting. TV really can be educational, if you make it that way.
9. Draw
You can use pencil and paper, pastels, finger paint, water colors, or sidewalk chalk: the medium is up to you. But no matter what materials you settle on, your kids will love creating together with you.
10. Volunteer
Is there a homeless shelter, a nursing home, a food bank, or other community outreach organization that could use your help? Take your kids with you! You’ll lay the groundwork for a lifetime of community involvement and good citizenship.
Photo Credit: Morguefile
Kids Playing
1. Go to the Library
Even in the Age of the Internet, the library is still a great place… and it’s free! Read books, check out movies, surf the Web, you name it. And many public libraries have special summer programs, complete with live theater, dance, readings, and other special presentations.
2. Go to the Park
Sometimes, you’ve just got to turn off the Wii or the X Box and go outside to play! Most communities have parks with play equipment, but even if your neighborhood only sports vacant lots within easy walking distance, it’s still a great place to stretch those limbs and air out the lungs.
3. Tell Stories
Even the most sophisticated youngsters like to hear stories, especially if they’re family stories. If you’re blessed with grandparents nearby, harvest their memories and share them with your kids. Every body wins!
4. Fly a Kite
Just like the song says, “Let’s go fly a kite.” Kites can be had very inexpensively, and all you need after that is some wind. There’s something about watching a kite in the sky that sort of liberates the kid in all of us. (In this connection, also see #2, above)
5. Read Together
Whether it’s in the reading room at the local library, or snuggled up on a couch at home, kids love to be read to, even if they’re already readers themselves. Take some time to get together over a favorite book… you’ll be glad you did!
6. Explore Your Neighborhood
It’s amazing what you can see when you actually look. Take a walk around the block; spot out-of-state license plates, find the letters of the alphabet on signs, see how many different types of birds you can spot… the possibilities are almost endless!
7. Play Games
Whether you’re into Boggle, Scrabble, Monopoly, chess, or hearts, kids will love playing games with you. In fact, it’s kind of amazing the conversations you can have during a hard fought round of Pictionary or Cranium.
8. Watch TV
Okay, here’s one you might not have expected. But instead of using TV as couch potato time, actively watch TV with your kids after carefully selecting a show of educational, historical, or other special interest. Discuss themes, characters, plot, and setting. TV really can be educational, if you make it that way.
9. Draw
You can use pencil and paper, pastels, finger paint, water colors, or sidewalk chalk: the medium is up to you. But no matter what materials you settle on, your kids will love creating together with you.
10. Volunteer
Is there a homeless shelter, a nursing home, a food bank, or other community outreach organization that could use your help? Take your kids with you! You’ll lay the groundwork for a lifetime of community involvement and good citizenship.
Photo Credit: Morguefile
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