6 Low-Cost Ways to Make Family Memories
As the weather warms up and spring gets underway, it’s a great time to share more adventures as a family. But remember: Your fun excursions don’t have to cost anything extra! It’s completely possible to create fun family memories without breaking your budget.
Enjoy Outdoor Activities
One of the best ways to enjoy the nice weather and spend some quality time with your family is by opening the door and stepping outside. We’re surrounded by beautiful spaces, so why not take some intentional time to enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer?
Plant Flowers Around Your Home
Get the kids involved and add some color to your world. Planting flowers around your home can not only improve curb appeal but also give you and your family something beautiful to look at all season long.
Perennials come back year after year, which means that the hard work you put in this spring can pay off for years to come without having to invest in new plants every year. Here’s a handy gardening guide from UMN.
To make this activity truly free, head outside to weed pre-existing shrubs or plants, move some indoor plants outdoors, ask friends for any plants they no longer need, or request cuttings from friends’ plants to transplant in your own yard.
Take a Hike
Whether it’s a simple stroll around your neighborhood or taking advantage of the many mapped-out trails in our area (check out The Outbound’s suggestions here), there are plenty of wonderful ways to get in some exercise and enjoy some QT with the family!
Our State Parks are also an excellent, low-cost option for families looking to get outside year-round.
Create a Scavenger Hunt
Another fun way to enjoy the outdoors is with a simple scavenger hunt.
You can create an easy hunt by simply asking children to hunt for something of each color of the rainbow. For younger children, you can make the parameters a park or your own backyard, while older children might be able to hike paths ahead of you or investigate some wilderness for unique finds!
Making a game of the time outside helps keep all ages entertained while you are getting fresh air and exploring your community.
Free Indoor Activities
Mother Nature might not always agree with your plans, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work in some low- and no-cost fun with the family indoors. Consider some of these options if you are stuck indoors or if the weather doesn’t cooperate with your plans.
Movie Day or Movie Night
A day or evening spent watching movies is a great way to enjoy relaxation and downtime while keeping the family entertained. And, it doesn’t have to mean hitting the silver screen or spending a small fortune at the cinema. From low-cost streaming services to even dusting off that old DVD collection (or dare I say, VHS tapes? anyone?), there are plenty of ways to enjoy a double feature right in your own living room.
Consider making some snacks that the family enjoys (a taco buffet, create your own pizzas, or sundae bar) to make it extra special. You could even have each family member pick a movie to watch.
Create Meals Together
Another way to incorporate fun with little to no cost is in your meal preparation. All ages can get involved. From chopping veggies to coloring placemats for the dinner table, there are roles fitting for every age so that each family member can be involved in prepping meals.
This way, food gets to the table (you have to eat!), and you get some helping hands while you prep dinner. Kids can learn responsibility with some tasks they are capable of alone, and everyone can contribute to the process. It really is a win/win!
Game Night
There are lots of ways to have fun gaming these days. Perhaps a family “grand prix” is in order on Mario Kart? Or you can dust off the board games and make a night of it!
From old-fashioned board games and an assortment of playing cards to video games, there are loads of ways to have some family fun with the selection already in your house!
Free Fun for Families
As a busy mom of three myself, I know how hard it can be to work in some relaxing quality time with the entire family. But, this spring, consider your options. There are plenty of choices around you that won’t cost you much at all! Quality time with your kids doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank.
